Board and principal employment relationship
A key focus of every board should be nurturing their relationship with the principal. This should be reflected in all board policies and procedures, particularly through having a clear policy on the relationship between the presiding member and the principal.
For your board, this employment relationship will work best when your board and principal are on the same page.
Constructive relationships, like your one with the principal, are best developed with support from both parties in an environment of open, productive communication.
Your board assists this process by being clear and consistent when setting and communicating your expectations with the principal. These conversations should be a mix of informal chats, review meetings, formal reporting, and regular reporting at board meetings.
Topics of discussion could include current workload, personal and professional goals, and how your board can support them as they lead the school.
These discussions help ensure that your board fully understands the work of the principal. Usually, the day-to-day conversations occur between the presiding member and principal; however, check your delegations policy as it can differ between schools.
Don’t approach meetings and conversations with your principal as a chance to cross-examine or “catch them out”. Adding tension in this way will cause the relationship to sour very quickly.
If you have concerns or need support, please contact our Advisory and Support Centre.
Questions your board could ask:
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In our policies, have we defined clear expectations and limitations for the principal?
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Does our strategic plan clearly state outcomes and identify measures of success that the principal can easily report on?
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Are we confident our board culture encourages transparency, honesty, and accountability?
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Are our current reporting mechanisms in a format that contains the right information to assure our board that the principal is an effective chief executive?
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What support/resources does the principal need to perform better?
Templates, resources, and references
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