Rainbow District School Board approves Board Governance Policy Manual

Rainbow District School Board Trustees approved a Board Governance Policy Manual at their regular meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 2014.

“The manual represents the culmination of an extensive review of the many policies that we had, consolidating and realigning them to focus on our primary goal of student achievement and wellbeing, within our vision, mission, values and priorities,” said Chair Doreen Dewar.

She added: “We have also clearly articulated the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees who set the policies and the responsibilities of the administration who implement the policies.”

The manual, which will be available online at rainbowschools.ca, includes expectations for the development of a positive learning and working environment, directions to foster effective parent and community relations, and guidelines for governance and policy-making.

An Administrative Procedures Manual will now be developed. Operational procedures will be reviewed and realigned to support the Board Governance Policy Manual.

“The development of two separate and distinct documents will reinforce the distinction between the Board’s responsibility to govern and the Director of Education’s responsibility to administer,” said Chair Dewar. 

Also at the Board Meeting, trustees changed the name of the Policy and Finance Committee to the Strategic Planning Committee, which will have a broader mandate. 

The Strategic Planning Committee will consider matters and make recommendations to the Board pertaining to student achievement and wellbeing, capital projects, budget, policies, governance bylaws, and any other matters referred to the Committee by the Board.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,

Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,

Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.