The purpose of school councils is to improve pupil achievement and
to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents
An effective school council can be one of a school’s greatest assets.
Establishing a positive working relationship with the school council is critical to the
success of the council.
School councils are advisory in nature. They are entitled to make recommendations
to the principal of the school or to the board on any matter. Principals (and boards)
must receive and consider the recommendations of school councils, but they are not
required to accept them. As the principal of the school, you must respond to each
school council recommendation. You can accept and implement the
recommendation, or implement a revised version, or reject the recommendation
altogether. You must advise the school council of the action you have taken.
Here are some steps to consider whether you are new to the school, or starting a
school year with a new council in the same school. Begin by scanning the
environment. Don’t start by jumping in and changing things