Guidance for school boards on good decision making

Behind every good school is a team of good decision-makers drawn from the community it serves – the school board. 

If a parent or caregiver is unhappy with a decision made by a school board, they have the right to complain to the Ombudsman. Many complaints received by the Ombudsman are about disciplinary issues – and focus on situations where the student has been suspended, excluded, or expelled.

This video featuring Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier and Newlands Intermediate staff members gives an overview on how to take the right steps for good decision making. It outlines the decision-making process, who can help guide school boards, and where further resources can be found.

A special thank you to Newlands Intermediate in Wellington and especially Angela Lowe, Principal and Susie Ellis, Board Chair and the school board, along with special thanks to Sarah Campbell from NZSTA. The filming was completed in July 2022.

This video was officially launched on Saturday 8 October during the Chief Ombudsman’s keynote speech ‘Navigating Fairness’ at the 2022 NZSTA Conference held in Christchurch.

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