I haven't heard of that around Ballarat ( There are certainly plenty of stories about rogue school councillors and on the other hand principals keeping their school council in the dark) but maybe it's not something outsiders hear about. Anyway the new government has decided to take action about it.
The inept and unnecessary Governance changes the Napthine Government proposed are supposed to be scrapped by the new government so this story might be the beginning of a new approach to supporting school councils rather than dumping more responsibility on them.
Below is a story from today's Age
Principals' challenge: School leaders say one issue they face with councillors is when they try to influence the curriculum on subjects such as climate change.
Principals' challenge: School leaders say one issue they face with councillors is when they try to influence the curriculum on subjects such as climate change.
The Education Department will run free face-to-face training this year for the first time for thousands of school councillors in a bid to rein in unruly behaviour.
It follows concerns raised by principals about the conduct of some councillors, who have been accused of running personal agendas and trying to influence the curriculum.
Education Minister James Merlino said the government is "empowering school principals and ensuring they receive the support and assistance they need".
As part of the training, councillors will learn about meeting etiquette, which includes not using "jargon or insider knowledge", "no side conversations" and turning off mobile phones.
"If these rules are not followed ... the meeting can descend into chaos, achieving nothing," the department's training manual says.
Details of the training course were included in a tender document released on Wednesday. Councillors will also be taught about conflict of interest, how to read a school's financial statements and what constitutes appropriate behaviour. It also suggests a 2.5 hour time limit for meetings.( OMG- mine go for 30 minutes max!)
It runs through 15 scenarios, telling councillors it is inappropriate to pursue personal agendas such as having "climate change addressed as part of the science program".
"School councillors have a responsibility to represent the best interests of the students rather than a particular personal interest," the training material says. "Curriculum planning and delivery is the responsibility of the principal and staff."
There are almost 9000 school councillors across Victoria. But the department expects as few as one-quarter of councillors will attend the free training sessions.
A department spokesman said training had always been provided to school councils, but this was the first time it had been offered face-to-face at no cost.
"All school councillors will be invited to participate in the face-to-face training."
Australian Principals Federation president Chris Cotching said training for school councillors was "well and truly needed". "We've got plenty of evidence that school councils in many places are acting beyond their authority," he said.
Mr Cotching said working with difficult school councillors was among the most urgent issues facing principals. "It consumes us all the time."
He said some school councillors had attempted to "micro-manage" principals and influence their school's curriculum, timetables and hiring of staff.
Australian Education Union state president Meredith Peace said school councils needed "a greater level of support than they've had". She said attracting people to volunteer on school councils had been difficult, "particularly parents who are time-poor and busy".
Mitcham Primary School principal Ian Sloane said councillors at his school were positive and constructive.
But he said some councillors at other schools created "immense difficulties" by running their own agendas and trying to influence staffing decisions. "Many of them do not fully understand the legislation around school councils and there is a proportion of people who come along with their own agenda."
A spokeswoman for Education Minister James Merlino said the government was committed to "empowering school principals and ensuring they receive the support and assistance they need".
Parents Victoria executive director Gail McHardy said parents should be valued for their contributions to school councils. But she welcomed the availability of free training for councillors.
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