In accordance with the Deed of Trust, First Schedule, Instrument of Management, Section 3(c), the Board of a Community School may at any time terminate the appointment of the Secretary on giving not less than one month’s notice in writing. The appointment may also be terminated if the permanent Secretary is absent from more than two consecutive meetings of the Board except for a reason approved by the Board.
When the office of permanent Secretary becomes vacant, or when a casual vacancy arises, the Board shall appoint one of its members to act as Secretary in a temporary capacity.
Under the Deed of Trust, the Secretary is responsible for accepting communications regarding resignations of Board members, issuing notices and agendas of meetings and keeping minutes of meetings.
Apart from assisting in the orderly and efficient discharge of Board business, the Secretary, in practice, also has a role in relation to a range of other issues concerning the government and direction of the school including:
- dealing with Board of Management correspondence
- provision of information concerning Board of Management rights, obligations and powers
- development of school policy
- staff selection and appointments
- transmission of Board of Management decisions to relevant parties and appropriate follow up
- liaising with the Chairperson
- representing the Board of Management where appropriate
- liaising with relevant School/Board of Management personnel and ensuring that, as far as possible, all relevant matters are brought to the attention of the Board of Management in an efficient and timely manner.
- Liaising with ACCS on behalf of the Board of Management and appraising Board of Management members of ACCS advice and guidance.