PRAIRIE SPIRIT SCHOOL DIVISION

BOARD GOVERNANCE POLICY MANUAL 

Policy# 9 - Board and Senior Administration Team Relationship

The Board of Trustees for the Prairie Spirit School Division has two employees, namely the Superintendent and the Secretary-Treasurer. The Superintendent is the educational leader of the Division responsible for the overall operation of the Division. The Secretary-Treasurer is responsible for financial and operational leadership. These two Senior Administrators work together in a dual track system, under the direction of the Board governance policies and in accordance with the duties assigned to each position as outlined in their respective job descriptions, to provide general supervision of all schools and personnel in the Division. Senior Administration is the means by which the Board connects with the operational organization.

Relationship

The following outlines the relationship between the Board and Senior Administration, each according to their board-approved designated job responsibilities. 

• The Board and Senior Administration Team engage in conduct during meetings of the Board, or Committees of the Board, and at all other times in a manner that credits or demonstrates the integrity of the Board and Division.

• Only official decisions of the Board are binding on the Senior Administration Team.

• Senior Administration is required to take necessary measures to ensure the Board is informed, supported and protected in its work.  

• The Superintendent and Secretary-Treasurer are individually accountable to the Board. They may delegate to other Division personnel the exercise of any powers and the discharge of any duties imposed upon them by Board policies or Board resolution. The delegation of power or duty does not, however, relieve them of responsibility for the action taken under such delegation.  

• The employment agreements between the Board and Senior Administration are in the form of written contracts. 

• All directions to the Senior Administration Team are given by the Board through written policy or Board motions.

• The Senior Administration Team is authorized to establish further administrative procedures, make decisions, and take actions within the policy parameters established by the Board.

• The Senior Administration Team is responsible for the actions of the employees of the Division, therefore the Board (or individual Trustees) do not give instructions to employees who report to the Senior Administrative Team. 

• The Board and individual Trustees refrain from evaluating, either formally or informally, any staff other than the Senior Administration Team.

• Each Administrator is responsible for communicating information from the Board to the persons in their charge as it affects those persons’ tasks.  Likewise, this Administrator is responsible for bringing information to the Board from those persons in their charge.  In addition to the above, informal communications continue between the Staff Liaison Committee of the Board and the teaching and support staff groups.

• Whereas decisions and instructions from the Board are binding on Senior Administration, decisions and instructions from individual Trustees are not binding. In the case of Board members or committees requesting information or assistance without Board authorization, Senior Administration may refuse requests that, in their opinion, require significant amounts of staff time or funds or are disruptive to the goals of the division. 

• Senior Administration provide a link between the day-to-day administration of the Division and the Board and is responsible for the execution of the action plans in order to achieve the Board’s strategic directions.

• Senior Administration works collaboratively with the Board of Trustees, government stakeholders, community, parents, staff, and students to improve the learning outcomes for all students.

• Senior Administration demonstrates, at all times, understanding and respect that they are directly responsible to the Board for all actions taken and recognize this through regular reports to the Board.  When in doubt, actions are deferred until there is opportunity to discuss the matter with the Board.  In an emergency situation, the Superintendent acts and informs the Board as soon as possible.

Evaluation of Senior Administration

The Board is committed to the evaluation of the performance of Senior Administration. 

Sound evaluations increase the effectiveness of Senior Administration, assures the Board that governance policies are carried out and serve as a stimulus to on-going communication. Evaluations focus on the degree to which: 

• Board goals and objectives are carried out; and 

• Responsibilities as outlined in job descriptions for the Superintendent and Secretary-Treasurer are met. 

Evaluations are conducted as outlined in specific contract(s) or annually if not indicated in the contract, in a format agreed upon by Senior Administration and the Board.