03.09.2018
Statement of Archbishop Michael Jackson, Patron of St Patrick’s National School, Greystones
The Patron of St Patrick’s National School, Greystones, has been advised of a recent meeting of parents and staff of the parish school. The Patron has been asked to respond in relation to the request that the Board of Management be dissolved as a result of the outcome of the meeting.
The procedures for appointing and dissolving Boards of Management of primary schools are set out in the Governance Manual 2015–2019 and the Education Act 1998. Section 16 (1) (b) of the Education Act which provides that subject to the consent of the Minister a Patron may “if satisfied that the functions of Board are not being effectively discharged, dissolve that Board.”
The Patron acknowledges that the Board is now managing the school during challenging times. There will be many occasions where disagreements arise between board members and within school communities. However, disagreements in and of themselves are not evidence that a Board of Management is dysfunctional.
In this instance, while the Patron is aware that there are many different points of view, he has not been provided with any information that would indicate that the functions of the Board of Management are not currently being effectively discharged.
In his view the current difficulties have arisen as the result of a disagreement regarding expansion of the school. It was the Patron’s view that there was no reason to expand the school and that position was supported by a statement by the Department of Education and Skills that they would not build an additional classroom for an additional teacher at St Patrick’s National School.
The Patron would like to express his support and sincere gratitude to the members of the Board of Management, and indeed all members of Boards of Management in these Dioceses, who continue to give their time to manage schools under his patronage.
The Board of Management, which is established in accordance with directions given by the Minister of Education, runs the school on behalf of the Patron. The current Chairman has asked for a temporary break from the duties of chairing the board. The Patron is the only person who can appoint a Chair to a Board of Management. On that basis the Patron has appointed Canon Adrienne Galligan as chair temporarily and by mutual agreement.
The Church of Ireland ethos of the school and decisions made by the Board of Management in the past remain unchanged. The Board of Management will continue to manage the school and the school will continue to educate the children entrusted to its care.