Policy #3: Role of the Board

Priority Objectives of Board
Sunrise School Division Board will ensure that the values, aspirations and economic resource capacities under its jurisdiction are reflected within the actions of the division.  

Board Member Authority  
Because all powers of the Board of Trustees lie in its action as a group, individual Board members exercise their authority over division affairs only as they vote to take action at a legal meeting of the Board. In other instances, an individual Board member, including the chairperson, shall have power only when the Board, by vote, has delegated authority to him or her.  

Areas of Responsibility of the Board: 
3.1 Educational Accountability  
The Board is responsible for setting the educational goals of the Division and for reviewing how well students learn. The goals for educational excellence shall grow out of the Division's Mission Statement, and shall include individual goals for all administrators and schools.  

• The Board approves the divisional budget annually and establishes the amount of the local property tax levy.
• The Board appoints the auditor for Sunrise School Division. 
• The Board receives the audit report and ensures that quality indicators are met.  
• The Board ratifies and ensures the administration of collective agreements with employee groups and the administration of individual employee contracts. 
• The Board approves the division’s annual five year capital plan for submission to the province’s Public Schools Finance Board. 

• The Board will be visible within the community.  
• The Board makes decisions that reflect the values and anticipated educational needs of the communities of Sunrise School Division. 
• Board members show their support of school and divisional activities through physical attendance at division and school public events.  

• The Board is responsible for providing the opportunity to our communities to be involved in our schools in all appropriate ways.  
• The Board is responsible for telling our schools' and division's story to the public.  
• The Board reports division results to the community, as mandated by the provincial government. 
• The Board involves parents and guardians in the education of their children, and responds adequately to their concerns.
• The Board has developed appeal procedures regarding decisions of the Administration. 
• Board members are active with community organizations and agencies that can contribute toward building support for public education. 
• The Board approves the annual school calendar and length of the school day. 
• The Board grants final approval of newly constructed schools and other division buildings, and passes motions to approve any rented or leased spaces. 
• The Board retains insurance to protect the public assets of the division. 

The Board may appoint people for Senior Administration positions, fix and pay remuneration, and define duties.

Reference:  
Introduction  
Policy 1 – Vision, Values and Mission  
Policy 5 – Annual Planning Cycle  
Policy 6 – Policy Development and Review
Policy 7 – Board Operations 
Policy 8 – Board Member Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest  
Policy 15 – Community Engagement 
Policy 16 – Finances  
Policy 17 – Audits  
Policy 18 – Assets  

Legal Reference: The Public Schools Act; The Labour Relations Act

Date Adopted: February 2017 
Date Amended: October 6, 2020; October 18, 2022; February 7, 2023