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Below we have provided the text of the latest Department of Education Circular Letter on the Election of New Boards of Management of National Schools. The term of office of all existing Boards expires on 30th November 2007 and the procedures for the election of the new Boards should now be activiated.



Circular 0098/2007


Primary Branch

To Boards of Management and Principal Teachers of National Schools

Election of new Boards of Management of National Schools


1. Introduction

The Minister for Education and Science, Ms. Mary Hanafin, T.D., is pleased to enclose 10 copies of the provisions governing the composition and functioning of Boards of Management of National Schools. The enclosed booklet replaces the wine covered 2003 edition of the booklet. A number of revisions have been made to the rules of procedure following consultation and agreement with the partners in education.

2. Election of new Boards

The term of office of all existing Boards will expire on 30th November 2007. In the circumstances it is important that the procedures for the election of the new Boards should now be activated. It is likely that you will have received notice to this effect already from your Patron.

The process for the election of the new Boards is set out in the enclosed booklet. This process can take up to 11 weeks maximum but can be completed earlier depending on the particular option chosen for the election of the parent representatives or where the selection proceeds without recourse to an election (i.e. where the maximum number of nominees does not exceed the number of places).

The maximum timeframe for elections is set out in the enclosed appendix. Under this timeframe each new Board shall assume office not later than 1 December 2007. The term of all outgoing Boards, shall expire on 30th November 2007.

A copy of the enclosed booklet should be provided to each person appointed to the new Boards, while the remaining two copies should be given to the Parents’ Association.

3. Enquiries

Any enquiries in relation to the information contained in this circular may be addressed to Primary Administration Section 2, Department of Education and Science, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

Telephone: (090) – 6483721, 6483722, 6483723, 6483724, 6483725 and 6484125




Johnny Bracken
Principal Officer

November, 2007.

APPENDIX

The following is the timeframe for the election of the Board members.

(Any reference to days should be taken to mean calendar days, including weekends)


· a 14 day period for the Chairperson to consult the Parents Association regarding the method of election, prepare lists (if not by meeting), invite and obtain nominations.

· a 7 day period to arrange elections (i.e. information on candidates for inclusion on ballot papers, preparation of ballot paper and issue of same).

· a 7 day period (maximum) for latest return of votes and public count of same.

· a 7 day period to convene 6 persons nominated/elected.

· 14 days to reach agreement and to nominate substitutes (in the event that one or both of the two nominees as community representatives decline to act)

· a further 7 days, but only where the two persons initially selected decline or where there is not unanimous agreement – See Appendix C

· a 10 day period to provide for immediate notification to the Patron of composition of the Board and for the Patron to, in turn, notify the Department of Education and Science.

· a 10 day period during which the Department may raise with the Patron any query which arises.


Visit the Department of Education Website here where you can also download:
  • Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedure 2007
  • Financial Template for Boards of Management of National Schools
  • Information Manual for Primary Boards of Management



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