Training
School Board members learn
about their job largely by doing it. However, you will
receive helpful written material about your
responsibilities and can attend a wide range of training
courses held in the evening, during the day, or at the
weekend.
The Scottish School Board Association (SSBA), the umbrella group for School Boards with a current membership of over 1950 Boards, produces a newsletter four times a year and regularly holds training conferences throughout Scotland. SSBA will also help you set up training sessions in your own school.
Funding
School Boards are
accountable for the good management of funds allocated to
the school by the Education Authority and are required to
account to parents via an annual report and parents'
meeting. The School Board should receive proposals from
the Head Teacher as to how monies for books and materials
(capitation) should be spent and the Board's approval is
necessary before any such funds can be spent.
All School Boards are given their own School Board Funds to run their own affairs and exercise their formal obligations. For example, funds cover training and administrative expenses and costs of postage and photocopying. The amount Boards receive and what this covers varies between authorities and is negotiable.
Selection
of Senior Promoted School Staff
School Board members take
part, after training, in appointment committees set up
for Head Teacher, Deputy and Assistant Head Teacher
posts. The introduction of Devolved School Management
(DSM) in Scotland means that School Boards have also
become involved in appointment procedures relating to
posts other than those senior promoted posts covered
under the legislation. All school staff are employed by
the Education Authority.
Accountability
School Boards are required to make
at least one report each year to parents on their
activities as a Board, and also have a duty to find out
as often as necessary parents' views on matters which are
the responsibility of the Board. The Board also has a
special duty to promote relations between the school, its
parents and the community. In addition to its Annual
Report the Board may wish to produce a regular
newsletter. [more] .
