SJF has 2 Governing Boards, one for the Junior campus and one for the Senior Campus.
The GB Annual Assembly (AGA) occurs at the beginning of each school year in September. All parents are invited to attend. At the AGA, parent representatives are elected and a vote takes place to create a PPO or continue with a Home & School Association.
Your participation in the AGA is critical. The GB is your voice at SJF!
All parents are welcome to attend the GB meetings as members of the public. While you cannot vote, you may express your opinion to your representatives about various issues. Meeting dates are:
- Junior GB: 1st Wednesday of the month
- Senior GB: 2nd Wednesday of the month
To learn more about the GB, the parent and staff representatives, and specific meeting dates, click on the buttons below.
Governing Board Functions & Responsibilities
The Governing Board is an important way to participate in the decision making consultative process for the school and the students. It is composed of parents, teachers, school support staff, and community representatives.
The Governing Board in collaboration with all parties concerned, adopts, implements and evaluates the school’s Educational Project. The Educational Project must comply with the province-wide framework defined by the Education Act, the basic school regulations and Quebec Education Program of Studies.
The Governing Board approves the proposals of the principal for the implementation of the basic school regulations, program of studies, student services and student supervision policy.
The Governing Board advises the school board on matters that are likely to facilitate the operation of the school and improve the organization of service provided by the Governing Board.
The Governing Board shall seek the collaboration of persons having an interest in the school.
The Governing Board shall encourage the communication of information dialogue and concerted action among students, parents, the principal, teachers and other staff members and community representatives.
Any decision by the governing board is made in the best interests of the students.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Governing Board?
A governing board is a representative body established in each school according to section 42 of
the Education Act. It is composed of the parents, teachers, representatives of both the nonteaching professionals and support staff, day care (elementary), students (cycle II high school),
representatives from enterprises which, in the case of a vocational training centre, operate in
economic sectors corresponding to the vocational education programs offered by the centre and
community representatives who work in partnership to ensure that all students receive the best
possible learning opportunities. The school principal/centre director attends governing board
meetings but is not a member and is not entitled to vote.
What is the Composition of the Governing Board?
The governing board is composed as follows (s. 42 – s. 46):
- At least 4 parents who are not members of school staff.
- At least 4 school staff including at least 2 teachers and, if the groups concerned so decide, at least one non-teaching professional and at least one support staff member, elected by their peers.
- 1 member of the childcare staff assigned to childcare (only in the case of daycares run by the school. If a private daycare is running in the facility, a member of their staff is not entitled to a seat on the governing board).
- Two community representatives who are not members of the school staff appointed by the governing board (no vote).
- The maximum number is 20. The total number of seats available for staff representatives (school staff and daycare staff) must be equal to the number of seats for parents. The school board determines the number of parent and staff representatives after consulting each group.
- When there are fewer than 60 students enrolled in a school, the school board may vary the composition after consultation with the parents and school staff. The rule of equality in the number of seats for parents and staff must still be respected.
- A commissioner cannot be a member but may take part in meetings when carrying out a mandate from council. Commissioners can, however, attend as a member of the public. .
- The principal takes part in the meetings but is not a member (no vote).
How many meetings are there?
Governing board meetings (s. 67) will be held a minimum of five times per year. Most governing boards
establish a monthly meeting on a given day/week of the month so that members can plan
accordingly.
What are the Powers and Functions of the School Governing Boards?
The governing board exists to govern the school, not administer the daily operation of the school.
The latter is the responsibility of the principal/centre director. The powers and functions of the
governing board impart responsibilities and decisional authority in general matters of school
governance as well as matters such as educational services, community services and material
and financial resources. The following outlines the responsibilities in each area and identifies the
related sections in the Education Act with a summary table following.
General Powers and Functions
The governing board:
- analyzes the school’s situation and, based on the analysis and the school board’s strategic plan, adopts the educational project and oversees its implementation and periodic evaluation (s. 74)
- approves the school’s success plan, the Management and Educational Success Agreement, any updates, rules of conduct and the safety measures (s. 75 and s. 76)
- approves the anti-bullying and anti-violence plan (s. 75.1)
- establishes the principles for determining the cost of documents in which students write, draw or cut out and approves a list of materials such as pencils, paper, etc. (s. 77.1)
- advises the school board on certain matters (s. 78 and s. 79)
- may pool goods and services or activities with other schools (s. 80)
- prepares and adopts an annual activity report and transmits a copy to the school board (s. 82)
- informs the community of the services provided by the school, makes public the educational project and the success plan of the school, and distributes to parents and staff a document explaining the educational project and reporting on the evaluation of the implementation of the success plan (s. 83)
- approves the Management and Educational Success Agreement of the school (s. 209.2)
In addition, the parents on the governing board may consult the parents of the children in the
school on any matter relating to educational services, in particular on report cards and on any
other way in which parents are to be informed on the academic progress of their children,
proposed by the principal (s. 89.1)