An introduction to school boards
A school board is the governing body of a school or kura, responsible for the overall direction and strategic leadership.
Every state and state-integrated school and kura in New Zealand has a board.
School boards are Crown entities, which means they are part of the New Zealand public sector.
While they are set up at “arm’s length” from the Minister of Education to deliver educational services on behalf of the government, boards also have the freedom to make some decisions independently.
As a result, boards are required to take specific actions and adhere to certain laws.
Note: School boards used to be called “boards of trustees”.
What do boards do?
Boards work in partnership with their school, community, and the government to ensure the best for all ākonga (students).
They are responsible for the overall performance of the school.
Under Section 127open_in_new of the Education and Training Act 2020, the paramount objective for school boards is to raise educational achievement.
To meet this objective, your board must ensure its school:
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Meets attendance obligations
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Follows the curriculum and monitors student progress using quality assessment
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Is safe and inclusive
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Achieves equitable outcomes for Māori students
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Endeavours to make learning available in te reo Māori (if requested)
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Reflects New Zealand’s cultural diversity
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Is financially responsible and legally compliant.
Boards are responsible for:
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Setting the school’s strategic direction in consultation with the community, parents, whānau, staff, students and the wider school community
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Developing policies, procedures, and bylaws to ensure the school meets its legal obligations
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Monitoring and evaluating outcomes for students
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Overseeing the management of personnel, curriculum, property, finance, and health and safety
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Being a good employer of all staff in the school
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Reporting on the school’s progress to the community and the Ministry.
Boards do not get involved in the day-to-day running of the school – that is the principal’s job. open_in_new
How do board members work together?
A board acts as one. Individual members can’t speak for or make decisions on behalf of the board without delegation (delegation means they have been given authority in writing).
Everyone on a school board has ōritetanga (equal standing).
This means each member has an equal voice and say on the issues discussed, an equal vote, and equal accountability.
It’s helpful to have a discussion about how your board will work together and what everyone’s roles and responsibilities are.
We recommend that you outline these in your board’s documentation.
How do your board and principal work together?
It’s essential that everyone has a clear understanding of the different roles and responsibilities within this partnership.
The principal has a dual role on the board.
They are board members with equal standing, voice, vote, and accountability when your board sets policies and plans.
However, they are also your board’s chief executive officer (CEO), providing professional advice to your board on the school’s day-to-day operations.
They also report to your board on the school’s performance in relation to policy.
Your board and principal (in their CEO role) work together but have distinct responsibilities.
Your board governs the school through policy (governance) and sets the direction of “what” the school is aiming for.
The principal puts policy into action (management) and carries out the “how”.
They implement your board’s direction to ensure the school’s goals are achieved.
The principal reports to your board throughout the year, showing progress toward the goals and the implementation of policies.
Your board uses this information to review policies and plans, prioritise resources, and provide the community with regular updates.
While it may seem a bit complicated at first, understanding the difference between governance and management is essential to being a board member.
Questions your board could ask
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Are we aware of all our board’s responsibilities?
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Do we have a policy that covers board roles and responsibilities?
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Do we know the difference between governance and management?
Templates, resources, and references
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Education and Training Act 2020