Who Governs the Governors: Remuneration

Remuneration

In the current challenging economic environment, the creation of payment for positions currently unpaid may appear to be unwise.

However, we believe that schools should consider whether, in common with registered housing providers and other public bodies, some form of payment may be applicable to reflect the contribution made by governors and their commitment in terms of time.

With smaller boards, the costs could be lower. Introducing remuneration may also serve to increase the diversity in terms of background, age and gender. It would provide compensation for board members who may otherwise have to forgo work or fund child care in order to enable them to attend board meetings and associated events.

At the very least, we believe that individual schools or groups of schools should consider what is best for them. Chairs, in particular, will often spend the equivalent of 10-15 working days for no remuneration and boards may consider whether payment may be appropriate for chairs if not for board members. Parents may be engaged in the process of making this decision and voting on such a change to either of these changes.

In comparison, the reform of housing association boards will increase “the time requirement for [housing association] board members” and their stance on remuneration is that “payment, whether it’s right or wrong, establishes an enforceable commitment – you are being paid to do something.”

A full copy of the report can be found here


http://www.moderngovernor.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Who-Governs-the-Governors.pdf