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.

Who must be on school council

Your school council must include a parent or guardian majority (set by your council’s bylaw or by your school board if no bylaw exists).

It must also include:

  • the school principal or vice-principal
  • one teacher (not the principal or vice-principal)
  • one non-teaching staff member
  • one student (required in secondary schools, optional in elementary)
  • at least one community representative
  • one provincial parent organization representative (if applicable) from:
    • Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education
    • Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations
    • Parents Partenaires en Éducation

Provincial parent organizations

If your school is a member of 1 or more of the 3 provincial parent organizations, the organization may appoint 1 person to the school council.

Community representative(s)

Your school council must appoint at least 1 community representative. You may appoint up to 2 more if your bylaws allow, as long as parents remain the majority.

Find tips on appointing community representatives.

School board trustees

School board trustees are not eligible to be members of school councils within their boards.

Responsibilities for all council members

Each school council has bylaws that explain what it expects of members.

School councils expect all members to:

  • know what the school council expects from them
  • act respectfully and work well with others

As a member you:

  • must follow your school council’s bylaws and code of ethics (if it has one)
  • help the council do its work in a professional and fair way
  • attend meetings regularly
  • contribute to discussions
  • raise the views of your represented group (school parents, teacher or community groups)
  • share school council information with your represented group

Voting

All members (except the principal) can vote on school council and committee decisions (for example, about the school’s policy on homework for students).

Learn about the principal’s key role on school council.

Attending meetings

If you’re unable to attend meetings regularly, the chair or co-chair may speak with you about:

  • the impact this has on school council work (for example, difficulty reaching quorum)
  • ways to improve your attendance
  • whether you wish to continue in the role

Eligibility, selection methods and duties for each role

This table provides an overview of each school council member’s eligibility rules, selection methods and some of their duties. Every member except the principal can vote on school council motions.

Table: school council eligibility, selection methods and duties by role
Member roleEligibility criteriaSelection methodSome specific duties
Chair or co-chair
  • must be a parent member of the council
  • can’t work at the school board
  • elected by school council members
  • arrange meetings
  • prepare agendas
  • chair meetings
  • ensure minutes are recorded
  • sit on all school council committees
  • liaise with principal on behalf of the school council
Parent Members
  • must be a parent or guardian of a child enrolled at the school
  • can’t work at the school
  • if working at the board elsewhere, must take fair steps to inform voters before election
  • elected by secret ballot by parents with children going to the school
  • take part in school council discussions
  • seek parent/community views and share them with school council
  • join school council committees
  • support school council work
Principal
Learn more about the principal’s role.
  • automatic member
  • may delegate membership responsibility to the vice-principal
  • required
  • act as a key link between the school and council
  • must be present for a school council meeting to happen
Student representatives
  • must go to the school
Secondary schools:
  • appointed by student council
  • elected by students if no student council exists
Elementary schools: (optional)
  • appointed by principal after consultation with school council
  • take part in school council discussions
  • seek student views and share them with school council
  • may join school council committees
  • report school council information back to students
Teacher representative
  • must work at the school
  • cannot be principal or vice-principal
  • parents teaching at a school their children go to may run for this position
  • elected by teachers
  • take part in school council discussions
  • share teaching staff views
  • may join school council committees
  • report information back to teaching staff
Non-teaching staff representative
(for example, front office, library and custodial staff, educational assistant, early childhood educator, lunchtime or hallway monitor)
  • must work at the school
  • parents working in these jobs at a school their children go to may run for this position
  • elected by non-teaching staff
  • take part in school council discussions
  • share staff views
  • may join school council committees
  • report back to staff
Community representative(s)
  • must not work at the school
  • if working at the board elsewhere, must inform school council members before their appointment
  • elected council members must appoint 1 community representative
  • school council can establish a bylaw to appoint 2 or more, while keeping the parent majority
  • take part in school council discussions
  • represent the community’s perspective
  • may join school council committees
  • help build school-community partnerships
Parent organization representative

Represents a parent group from one of these organizations:

  • Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations
  • Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education
  • Parent Partenaires en Éducation
  • appointed by the parent group if the school is a member
  • take part in school council discussions
  • represent the organization’s views
  • may join school council committees
  • report back to the parent association

Other officers and duties

Your school council might have other specific duties for these roles that meet the needs of your school community. Your council’s bylaws may also:

  • list more specific tasks for the chair or co-chair
  • establish other officers (for example, a secretary or treasurer) and outline their duties