Enable TES elected parents to be active players in compliance with TES Constitution

Imperative to have parents elected in the Governance Body who has voting power. Parents of school children are main stakeholders. The key words "Effective Governance". Anyone would know, "Governance Body" with only "advisory roles" could not be effective when there are differing views. With due respect, this is about Sustainability. Having the parents elected representatives with "voting" power gives assurance that voices of parents are heard and provides effective channel of communication between BOD and the stakeholders of the School. As parents, we are conscious of whom we vote for. Why is the rush to dissolve the BOG? Most parents supported the petition as they are shocked that their elected BOG members could be removed in such manner. If one thinks the parents don't know how to decide, think hard again. We are all behind the School and wanted the best for our children. This is not about criticism of individuals.

Thank you!

Bod should send the letter to parents some days ago . Parents are never aware of what's going on . My suggestion to BOD is to make clear what is going on as soon as they can .

Imperative to have parents elected in the Governance Body who has voting power. Parents of school children are key stakeholders. The key again "Effective Governance". Anyone would know, "Governance Body" with only "advisory roles" could not be effective when there are different views. With due respect, this is about Sustainability. Having the parents elected representatives with "voting" power gives assurance voices of parents are heard and provide effective channel of communication between BOD and the stakeholders of the School. As parents, we are conscious of whom we vote for. Why is the rush to dissolve the BOG? Most parents supported the petition as they are shocked that their elected BOG members could be removed in such manner. If one thinks the parents don't know how to decide, think hard again. Remember we are all behind the School and wanted the best for our children. This is not about criticism of individuals.

Thank you Ash for your message. We apologize for the inconvenience. Section Chairs have no other way to contact parents than through parent associations, class groups, social media and word of mouth. We acknowledge this petition might seem hard to understand since parents are not too familiar with BOD, BOG, Constitution, etc. As elected parents we know parents have put their trust and confidence into our volunteer representation in the school governance. We're not pushing anyone to sign (even though the message might vary through the channels? we loose some control), we're informing parents and we try to answer your questions. So far our message is simple: BOD is now operating in isolation from all stakeholders and making decisions that would affect the future of TES without consulting BOG/Standing- Committee nor 4 School Heads. The structure and operation of TES governance is in violation of the law.

See the illogicality of BOD? BOG is bad but BOD is promoting its 5 years BOG Chairman and 8 years BOG Treasurer as Directors and even though BOD is not supposed to, BOD is looking into academic offering because BOD (think) it knows better than the Section Heads (professional educators) and than the foreign government accreditation... Endangering situation for TES future don't you think?

Exactly. Now BOD is omnipotent... and is violating TW rules. That's the purpose of our petition.

Thank you for planning to come to the AGM. This is parents' involvement. Go there and ask questions! TES Constitution has been posted as a comment here, feel free to read it. You'll see that BOD can't make any change to its own constitution without consulting the parent community but they did last summer by dissolving BOG! Constitution says BOD supervises school's operation (through delegation to BOG and to CEO) but it is not supposed to get involved into academic matter. Academic belongs to Section Heads (and our government accreditation). But in his letter Dr Chen says he's looking into "academic offering". Totally out of his league. Very endangering for our future.

Thanks for your comment. We are not saying TES is a bad school creating bad students. We are saying we are worried the way it is now managed and how its future is planned.

I am in strong support of the petition, after all, the school is for the benefit of the parents and children. They should have a say in all matters concerned.

I was told to sign because the school is becoming a bilingual school. I called and asked the school but was told it is absolutely not considering this. What is the truth here? this is very he says-she says. Seriously it feels like the parents are at war with the school. I like the school! If I don't like the school, I'd move my kids! Wouldn't you? Frankly speaking, section chair(s), if you are reading this at all. I do not like being pushed to sign, especially with messages coming into my kids' class Line group. I gave you my personal contact to stay connected on my kids' school stuff, not to get into this seemingly political game. This is a school.

Thank you Raymond!

Parents’ voice should be respected and valued.

(Translation) ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TAIPEI EUROPEAN SCHOOL FOUNDATION Section I: General Provisions Article 1 - The name of this Board of Directors is the Board of Directors of the Taipei European School Foundation. Article 2 - The aim of this Foundation is to establish Taipei European School ("TES"), its attached kindergarten and nursery school so as to promote the development of TES. Article 3 - This Board shall be located at No. 31, Chien-Yeh Road, Shihlin District, Taipei, Taiwan, the Republic of China ("ROC"). Section II: Organization Article 4 - This Board shall consist of nine (9) Directors. Article 5 - The Directors for the initial term of Board shall be selected by the founders after being approved by the competent authorities and those of the second and subsequent terms shall be selected by the respective preceding Board of Directors, according to the following provisions: 1. Chairman and Treasurer of the BOG; 2. The representative recommended by John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Ltd.; and 3. Six (6) Directors serving in the interest of the public shall be selected from other sources. Any Director selected in the capacity of Chairman or Treasurer of BOG in accordance with the preceding paragraph shall be automatically discharged from his/her term of office once he/she resigns or is assigned with different duties, whose vacancy shall be filled by the new person in the same position on the BOG being recommended by the BOG in writing and approved by the Board of Directors. Any Director elected in the capacity of representative of John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Ltd. in accordance with the preceding paragraph shall be automatically discharged from his/her term of office once he/she resigns or is assigned with different duties, whose vacancy shall be filled by the new person being recommended by John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Ltd. in writing and approved by the Board of Director

Dear TES board of directors, I believe your had only good intentions when you abolish the BOG. But actually it is totally against the democratic spirit of our school. Your decision feels like a hit in the face of the European community in Taipei.

Hey everyone, the outcome is coming out in our e-mail. To be honest, all the TES alumni as l know are really outstanding in this world. Maybe we should cooperate with each other to be the global citizen as a modal to our kids.

We need BOG!

We need BOG!

So which means now there's no supervision. For BoD, that's interesting, I thought we need 1/3 to have foreign education background and expertise. Are they qualified by Taiwan law? Here's the link regarding regulation: http://edu.law.moe.gov.tw/EngLawContent.aspx?Type=C&id=154

I personally appreciate this event as it offers me a great opportunity to re-evaluate the biggest investment I am making in my life - both my children started from Nursery and planning to graduate from TES - that is 15 years of my most precious years with my children. Everything BOD and BOG are fighting about is black and white, written in the Articles isn't it? I will study through it and I will start attending every AGM from now on. Now I do feel maybe I've signed the petition too quickly without full knowledge of what really is going on.