It seems that every few years, another province toys with the idea of eliminating school boards—those pesky thorns of local democracy that stick in the side of governments flush with neoliberal fantasies of making education more “efficient” and results-oriented.
They’re super important. They close the loop on power in the district, so that the superintendent is accountable to the community.
Trustees have power to choose/replace the superintendent, who is the “CEO” who theoretically controls everything, but really just Directors and Principals. Directors manage principals and vice-principals. They in turn manage teachers, who manage students (who complain to parents) and communicate learning achievement to parents.
Parents, in turn, can go to trustees if they have a complaint that is not addressed by the district and they usually respond well (if it’s reasonable) since parents elect the trustees. (Trustees hardly get paid much, either. It’s not a role to pursue for wealth.)
They’re super important. They close the loop on power in the district, so that the superintendent is accountable to the community.
Trustees have power to choose/replace the superintendent, who is the “CEO” who theoretically controls everything, but really just Directors and Principals. Directors manage principals and vice-principals. They in turn manage teachers, who manage students (who complain to parents) and communicate learning achievement to parents.
Parents, in turn, can go to trustees if they have a complaint that is not addressed by the district and they usually respond well (if it’s reasonable) since parents elect the trustees. (Trustees hardly get paid much, either. It’s not a role to pursue for wealth.)