ISJ November 2012: A teacher on the board: poacher or gamekeeper? A personal reflection

Peter MacKenzie

Abstract:

The models of international school governance are many and varied. Most, however, include at their centre a board of some description whose members are trustees, directors, governors or some such. Some schools, perhaps by choice or, more commonly, because their legal status in their host country requires it, have two boards.

In such cases, however, it is usually clear which of the two assumes the duties and responsibilities of what in other schools is simply referred to as ‘the board’. The size and composition of these boards, how frequently they meet, to what degree they create and use committees, and so on, again vary enormously. Just as diverse are the conventions, practices, rules and ruses that account for the membership of boards.