Governing boards

Governing boards have been in existence in Québec for more than 20 years. The school governance model makes it possible to bring students into the decision-making process as much as possible.

Participate! 

In doing so, you will be rewarded with: 

• the ability to help determine the broad orientations of the school  
• the satisfaction gained from making decisions that have a direct impact on students’ daily life 
• the chance to develop and become part of an enriching group known for its expert knowledge of the school
• training in the functions and powers of a governing board and on the role and responsibilities of a member 

Access the compulsory training 

What is involved?

• A minimum of five meetings per school year  
• Some extra hours related to board meetings (reading documents, research and analysis)

The governing boards of elementary and secondary schools are formed no later than September 30 of each year. The governing boards of adult education and vocational training centres comprise of members who join the board as they are appointed or elected. For more information on how to become a member of a governing board, please contact the educational institution in question.

Eligibility 

Certain conditions must be met in order for someone to be eligible to sit on a governing board (e.g. a parent member of a school’s governing board cannot also be a member of that school’s staff). For more information, contact the educational institution with which you would like to be involved. 

Qualities sought: 

• Desire to act in the students’ best interests 
• Great capacity for collaboration 
• Good analytical abilities  

If you would like to be on the governing board at your child’s school, you must submit your candidacy for an available seat during the general meeting of parents at the beginning of the school year.  

The number of available seats is announced in the notice of meeting that is sent to parents at least four days prior to the meeting date. Two substitute parent members must also be elected at the meeting. 

If you would also like to be part of the parents’ committee, you must submit your candidacy during this same meeting. 

Parent members on the governing board serve a two-year term and representatives on the parents’ committee serve one year.  

To find out the date of the general meeting, consult your school’s website or contact the administration.  

In September, teachers, non-teaching professionals and school support staff hold a general meeting to elect their representatives on the governing board. At least four school staff members, including at least two teachers, must be elected. 

School staff members serve a one-year term.

If you are a student in Secondary III, IV or V and you would like to serve on the governing board, contact the administration at your school. 

Two seats on the governing board are reserved for students. You must be elected or named by your school’s student body, student committee or general meeting that represents them. 

Student members serve a one-year term.

If you have goals or interests in common with your community’s school and you want to serve on its governing board, contact the school’s administration to submit your candidacy.    

Two seats on the governing board are reserved for members of the community. These members are named by the parents, school staff members and students who are already serving on the governing board. 

Members of the community serve a one-year term.

For these centres, the governing board is comprised of individuals who join it as they are named or elected. Members of a centre’s governing board serve a two-year term.

Students and adult learners

At the start of the school year or depending on the available seats, you can present yourself as a candidate for the governing board of your centre. For more information, please contact the centre’s administration.

Parents

You can be on the governing board of the vocational training centre attended by your child. Parents are elected by their peers in accordance with the terms and conditions set by the centre’s director. Parents are not represented on the governing board of an adult education centre.

Staff members

If you are a centre staff member, you can present your candidacy for a seat on the governing board. You must be elected by the other staff members, or in accordance with the terms and conditions set by the centre’s administration. At least four staff members of the centre, including at least two teachers, must be elected. 

Members of the community

As a member of the community, you can serve on a centre’s governing board. At least four seats are reserved for members of the community, as follows:  

• at least two people named by the school service centre and selected after consultation with socioeconomic and sociocommunity groups in the territory that the centre mainly serves 
• at least two people from businesses in the region (In the case of a vocational training centre, people are selected from among businesses in the same economic-activity sectors as the vocational training provided by the centre) 

For more information, please contact the administration of the adult education or vocational training centre, or the school service centre.