An encouraging sign

Sixty per cent of school trustees are planning to re-stand in the 2010 triennial trustee elections, with a further 10 per cent yet to make up their mind says the president of the NZ School Trustees Association (NZSTA).

This is a very encouraging result says Lorraine Kerr, and at this point in time, indicates that the percentage re-standing may be higher than in previous years, which has traditionally run at around 50 per cent.

NZSTA, which is undertaking the national promotion and school support for the 2010 triennial elections, has recently surveyed almost 500 boards to assess the current state of play leading up to the launch of the national election campaign in late February.

Those trustees deciding to re-stand identified a number of reasons why they have made this decision: 75 per cent stated they feel they have something to offer, 59 per cent stated they enjoy the experience while others indicated they are re-standing to provide continuity between board (61 per cent) or have a child(ren) at school (58 per cent). (Note some respondents made multiple choices).

For those 30 per cent that will not be re-standing, 63 per cent identified children leaving/left the school as the reason for not standing, while 42 per cent thought it was time for some “new blood”. (Note some respondents choose both reasons).

Overall, 93 per cent of trustees described their experience as a school trustee as very positive (58 per cent) or positive (35 per cent) while only 1.4 per cent had negative feelings about the trustees experience.

Ninety-two per cent of trustees surveyed considered that the time on the board had benefited them in terms of personal growth, with many respondents identifying they had gained key skills such as leadership, in understanding the education system, working with school staff, strategic planning, finance, property, and so on.

Strong leadership and governance, focus on student achievement, better school environment, a catalyst for change and representing the school community were some of the common areas where boards thought they had benefited the school.

This first survey paints a very positive picture of value of trusteeship in NZ, both for the school and students, and for trusteeship itself, says Ms Kerr, and provides a positive outlook for the triennial election process in May 2010.

“I am also delighted that the vast majority of boards of trustees (92 per cent of respondents ) have confirmed that the boards policy framework and documentation is in place for the new incoming board,” says Ms Kerr, “as this makes for an easier transition for new newly elected board members.”

The common date for the 2010 triennial trustee elections is set for 7th May, 2010.