Confidentiality

Confidentiality

(a) Individual members of the Board are required to keep confidential the matters discussed at meetings unless otherwise agreed by the Board.

(b) Where allegations of a breach of confidentiality by a board member arises, the matter should be brought to the attention of the Patron at the earliest opportunity. The Patron shall carry out an investigation into the matter and shall reach a conclusion on the matter.

(c) Where the Patron is satisfied, after due investigation, that any member of the Board infringed this injunction of confidentiality, he/she may, subject to the consent of the Minister remove that person from membership in accordance with Section 16 of the Education Act 1998 and shall not subsequently nominate that person as a member of any Board of Management.

Board communications/transparency

(a) Good management practice will require frequent communications to parents, staff and the school community.

(b) The Board shall put in place procedures to support good communication within the school community. Section 26(3) of the Education Act 1998 advises boards to “promote contact between the school, parents of students in that school and the community and shall facilitate and give all reasonable assistance to parents who wish to establish a parents’ association and to a parents’ association when it is established”.

(c) The Board, at the closure of each Board meeting shall determine the information to be conveyed to parents, teachers and the school community, and the manner and terms in which it should be conveyed. Issues which must remain confidential to board members should be clearly identified and members notified of their obligations in respect of the confidentiality requirements under Section 8 above.

Note: In authorising the dissemination of information under (c) above, the Board shall pursue a policy of openness and have a positive approach to sharing information with the school community. The provisions of 8(a) regarding confidentiality need not necessarily conflict with the operation of such a policy; 8 above is intended to protect against inappropriate disclosure rather than to obstruct good communications and transparency.