In this guide

Parent(s) refers to parent(s) and/or guardian(s). A guardian is a person who has lawful custody of a child. Review other key terms in this guide.

Required member of school council

The principal is a required member of the school council but does not vote on school council or committee decisions.

Attending meetings

A school council meeting can only happen if the principal — or a delegated vice-principal — is present. Both may attend, but only one can officially represent the school at a meeting.

Delegating duties

The principal may also delegate other school council duties to a vice-principal.

What the principal does

Your principal must:

  • share materials we provide for distribution to school council members
  • post these materials in the school where parents can access them
  • provide your school council with access to information about council functions, including our laws, regulations and school board policies
  • attend all school council meetings (or may ask the vice-principal to attend)
  • consider each school council recommendation and report back on actions taken
  • ask for your school council’s input on specific topics

The principal may also:

  • join any school council committee
  • ask your school council for input on any school matter

Providing key background information

Your principal is a key source of information for your school council.

They must help your school council access information to support its priorities. This includes:

This helps your school council be effective and make informed decisions and recommendations.

Responding to school council recommendations

Your principal must seek your school council’s views on certain matters before making decisions about them. Your principal may choose to seek your recommendation on any other topic. These may include:

  • school events
  • field trip policies
  • other school-related matters

Your principal will:

  • consider each recommendation
  • decide whether to act on it
  • explain to the council what action was taken or why no action was taken

Learn more about school council consultation.

Supporting school council elections

Your principal provides support to establish the school council within the first 30 days of the school year.

Sends an election notice to parents

At least 14 days before the election date, your principal must send a written notice on behalf of your school council that includes:

  • the date
  • the time
  • the location or how to access the election (for example, online or by phone)

Every parent or guardian of students enrolled at the school must be able to access this notice.

Your principal can send the notice in one or more of these ways:

  • give it to students to take home to their parents
  • post it in a place at school that parents can access
  • send it by email or other electronic methods
  • post it on the school’s website

Shares who was elected

Within 30 days after the election, your principal will publish the names of the elected school council members. They can:

  • use the same methods they used to share the election notice
  • include the names in the first school newsletter

Publicizing school council meeting details

Your principal must tell parents about all regular school council and committee meetings on your council’s behalf. This includes:

  • the dates
  • the times
  • the locations or how to access the meetings

They must share this information in writing and make it accessible to all parents.

Sharing the school council’s annual report

Each year, your principal will share your school council’s annual report with the school community. If your council raised or received funds, you must include those activities in the report.

Storing minutes and financial records

The school must keep the following for at least 4 years and make them available to the public:

  • minutes from school council and committee meetings
  • financial records