Question re election of School Governor

[Joanne UK]

We recently received our ballot papers to elect a new School Governor at our childrens' Primary School. There are 2 ladies standing. A fellow Mum at the school, who is also an employee - she helps to run the Breakfast Club and currently volunteers 5 days a week, all day helping out in the lower years, has an obsessional hatred towards one of the candidates.

Last night this mum sent a text round to many of us urging us not to vote for this particular lady. I don't particularly have a preference either way as I dont know either of the candidates very well but surely it can't be right that an employee at the school should do this? I'm sure it's purely personal and has not been done with the backing of the Head or anyone else with influence but I wouldn't expect this of an employee.

Has her behaviour potentially invalidated the election?

 

[higgy66]

Personally I think it does and should be reported.

Whatever her views are of this person she should not try to influence anyones vote.

Imagine what would happen in BB

 

[Joanne UK]

Escorted out through the back door - and no Davina!

 

[mikki.young]

It may rather depend how she got the phone numbers. If she knew them on a personal basis then surely she is allowed a personal view and can share her view. If she got them from a school database then that would be a big no-no.

 

[mandymouse]

Personally I think it does and should be reported.

Whatever her views are of this person she should not try to influence anyones vote.

Imagine what would happen in BB

I totally agree, and the school should be informed too

Goodness, it's Nasty Nick all over again

 

[disney_princess_85]

I agree that she should be reported. Feud or no feud, how unprofessional of her!

 

[hildasmuriel]

If she is a parent at the school then she has the right to her opinion but it does rather conflict with her employment at the school. Anyone is allowed to canvass and persuade people to vote for their preferred candidate so I don't think the election would be invalid. She may find herself in trouble personally with the Head - I know my Headteacher wouild be furious and it would NOT go down well. I think the election would still go ahead though.

 

[mickeyforpresident]

Hi

First of all, parents who are staff are not eligible to stand for parent governor elections if they work over a certain amount of hours in the school (I can't recall the exact amount, but it's not a lot - my governor book is at school!) If she only works in the breakfast club (voluntary doesn't count) I think she will be ok to stand.

Canvassing is fine - you should all be provided with a set of biographical information on both candidates from the school. There's nothing in the law that states that candidates can't canvass (although I personally think that it's not worth it, but it's all democracy!!)

Now, if this woman has gained personal information of parents (e.g. phone numbers) because of her position (ie. she used the schools computers system to access the numbers), then this is illegal and you should inform the Headteacher.

Hope this helps.

 

[hildasmuriel]

Hi

First of all, parents who are staff are not eligible to stand for parent governor elections if they work over a certain amount of hours in the school (I can't recall the exact amount, but it's not a lot - my governor book is at school!)

It's 500 in a 12 month period but I don't think the OP is saying this employee is one of the candidates, just that she has a hatred for one of the candidates.