The School Board Hat vs The Parent Hat
(français ci-dessous)
International School of Ouagadougou Association and Community
Deadline for Board of Trustee Nominations
This is a reminder that all nominations to serve the school Board in fulfilling its mission statement and assisting our incoming Director, Ms. Myna Anderson, are due on Friday (10 days before our Association Meeting), May 10, 2024.
Distinguishing between the roles of the school board member and the parent is crucial, as each has distinct responsibilities and perspectives within our small educational system. Here is a quick comparison of the “school board hat” and the “parent hat”:
School Board Hat:
Policy and Governance: When wearing the school board hat, individuals are responsible for setting policies, making governance decisions, and overseeing the overall direction of the school. This role involves making decisions that impact the entire school rather than focusing solely on individual students.
Strategic Planning: School board members engage in strategic planning to set long-term goals and priorities for the school. They must consider the needs of all students and stakeholders and allocate resources strategically to support educational objectives.
Fiscal Oversight: School board members are responsible for overseeing the budgeting process and ensuring fiscal accountability within the district. This includes approving budgets, monitoring financial performance, making resource allocation decisions, and holding annual external audits.
Community Representation: School board members represent the interests of the entire community, not just those of their children or families. They must consider the diverse needs and perspectives of all stakeholders when making decisions and communicate effectively with the community about school policies and initiatives.
Parent Hat:
Advocacy for Individual Students: As parents, individuals advocate for the needs and interests of their children within the educational system. This may involve communicating with teachers, administrators, and other school staff to address specific concerns or provide support for their child’s education. However, this is not done at the Board level!
Support and Involvement: Parents play an active role in supporting their child’s learning and involvement in school activities. This may include attending parent-teacher conferences, volunteering in the classroom, participating in school events, and supporting homework and academic activities at home.
Communication with School: Parents maintain open lines of communication with their child’s school to stay informed about their academic progress, behavior, and any issues or concerns that may arise. They collaborate with teachers and administrators to ensure their child receives the support and resources they need to succeed.
In summary, while both school board members and parents are invested in the success of students and the overall educational system, they have distinct roles and responsibilities:
- School board members focus on policy-making, governance, and strategic planning at the community level
- Individual parents advocate for the needs of their children and support their involvement in school activities.
Clear communication and collaboration between school board members and parents are essential for ensuring the success of all students.
For those who wish to run for the Board of Trustees and put on a “Board Hat”, please fill out the attached form no later than Friday, May 10th, to be considered for the honorable enterprise of supporting the Board of Trustees, and our incoming Director during this challenging time in our region.
Feliz Asunción.
Jeff