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

BOD is making decision without consulting Section Heads nor Chairs. Regarding Chairs, it's only for a transparency concern. Heads are the ones with the knowledge. But even them are kept out of all discussions. We're only asking to at least hear the school stakeholders before making decisions. Section Chairs have been invited to some subcommittees where THEY had to brief TES directors and BOD members. Then subcommittees meetings have been cancelled. This is not what we call dialogue, nor openness. We've asked BOD to prioritize work on TES Strategic planning (actual plan is up to 2018...) and nothing has been done on this. Strategic planning is crucial for budget definition, for hiring the right staff, yes in a context where we have a big construction project so precaution and right direction, clear vision are keys. But there is no direction, BOD members seem to be stuck at the stage of trying to understand our complex school. We're not going anywhere and Section Chairs are simply asking to stop this mess.

Standing Committee has a unique mandate: define a new governance. No supervision on TES operations. BOD members are: Dr CV Chen, Chairman and Senior Partner / Lee and Li Attorneys-at-law Mr Derrick Chen, Chairman / Swire Group Taiwan Dr Yuan-Tsun Liu, Professor / Soochow University, Department of Physics Mr. Nelson Chang, Chairman / Taiwan Cement Co Ltd Mr David Tung, Executive Director – Commercial Vehicle and Motorcycles / Taikoo Motors (we heard from him once in September but he doesn't seem to be a BOD member anymore...) Mr. Mark Lintott Mr. Michael Topham

Some say BoG is one of the success factors for TES. Some say BoG is designed for smaller school. BoG is also being targeted as the origin for problem. Is it the people issue or organization issue? Can Standing Committee provide the same level of supervision as BoG? Can we have more transparent communication? i.e. Who are the BoD members? Qualification? Legal Compliance? Serving the best interest for different sections needs? If the petitions is using the wrong constitutional base, what's the right one?

I feel the school board is doing a good job. As a parent I do not think my voice is unheard. The teachers are great, staffs are always attentive, even the school’s outsourced cleaners are extremely friendly. There are always two sides to the story. I would be curious to hear why the section chairs feel they are not heard. Is there any specific issues they want the board doesn’t agree? Anyone can offer specific examples? I recall a case where some fellow parents are upset at the school because the school decided not to offer alcohol at XMAS bazaar. For this I stand with the school. What exactly are we talking about here? What is not heard?

RESPOONSE FROM TESBOG 25 January 2018 Dear Parents of TES, We, Taipei European School Board of Directors (BOD), feel compelled to write to you because of recent unrest placed within our school community. We are now faced false accusation in a petition made by the four sections chairs of our school. The accusations are based on rumours originating from questionable sources and are factually incorrect. For example, articles quoted in the petition reflect on the roles no longer delegated by the BOD; the opinion stated is written without offering a full perspective from all parents. The BOD values input from all of our key stakeholders, including all of your, our parents. We wish to offer you a different perspective to our situation. Since my involvement with TES in 1992, the BOD, as the sole legal entity of the School, has been entrusted with guarding the long term interest of the students attending TES - your children. We are committed to ensure the best possible well rounded education is provided for all of our students. Please be assured that all of our efforts are completely altruistic and without any self-interests from any one of the BOD. Towards the end of the last academic year we were met with multiple challenges, including the rush departure of our previous CEO, the abrupt increase in enrollment, our over-populated EPC campus, crowding and lack of play space at the ESC and rising tuition fees, etc. Much of this was due to decisions originated from the previous parent-run governing body, the BOG, within a structure designed for a much smaller school. The BOD realizes that with a school of our size, we need a stronger governance structure so decisions can be made with a long-term view and not based upon privileged and selected interests. We need to develop a self-perpetuating governance structure that encourages input from all key stakeholders. The BOD has been exploring different possibilities to finalize the best governance structur

We vote for parents

The crux of the problem is removal of BOG without prior consultation of the parents who are the main stakeholders with our children. The alienation of main stakeholders not only a severe mistake, it leads to mistrust. Noting the parent representatives to BOG were elected by parents in accordance with Articles. Many hard working and dedicated parents used the Parent Cafe for many good reasons including getting to know fellow parents and supporting their children. In any case, parents and our children are the reason why the school exists. We are always behind the School and are inseparable part of the School. We are always thankful to those we helped built the school and are committed to contribute to make a bigger success.

I am really surprised Mark Lintott and Micheal Topham are still directors of BOD with voting rights.

We want BOG back

Indeed, one of my friends, she is also TES alumni, she got a very well known uni offer with her IB diploma 10 years ago, and for she has no interests in Business field, her parents never push her to run the family business, despite they operate it well. Cause they thought to start-up is not the only choice of life.And as l know her parents didn't get involved into school events too much.

I have three children that have graduated from TES and are attending high ranked universities in Europe. Not quite sure if most of you have any clue what they are signing here and/or are remotely familiar with TES, it's history and the set up. My wife (many of you know her well) and me have been active in the school community for many years. I have been a council member for many years and would claim to know the school and it's set up quite well. The school in it's present form was established in 2000 when the former British, German and French schools merged to be the Taipei European school. A large HK based company as well as a small group of Taiwan Business men volunteered to give their good names to set up the foundation of TES. They did not only spend their time but more over they took the risk to sign and guarantee for loans, such as to build the campus, in particular that on Wen Lin Road. Non of them ever received any payments, not even money to pay for their expenses. The school grew considerably and was always well managed. The high score some of the students achieved in their IB tests show this very clearly. Like every school or company, there were at times better or weaker employees (including teachers). The control has always been with TESBOG and the CEO who have given quite large freedom to the sections, this in particular that they could satisfy standards required by their countries (in particular applies to the F and D sections). This system ran very well and as said, very successfully judging the high scores the students achieved. There were never any big issues at the school such as drugs which unfortunately back in Europe are a common issue. The school achieved membership in CIS and WASCS which are monitoring schools, this proves the high standard of a school. Unfortunately, some years ago some people got elected to the TESBOG that had quite a different agenda, basically their own and some section heads had the idea to run their section like their o

Please respect TES parents’ opinions

Please respect the parents’ voice

We, as parents of TES, strongly stand by our school. Please take our petition seriously. Thank you!

And parents want to run business not equal to theirs kids also want to run businesses.

I think it is important to maintain a governance structure that enables the multi-cultural nature of our school. This includes the need to allow for the special legal requirements that each section has to be able to provide education that is in line with the standards at home.

Thank you Uwe Georg Jung for what you've accomplished for the school and for you unceasing support! Very valuable. Democracy has been lost somewhere. BOD members are far from our families. Who knows them? And do they know you/us? No, because their (honorary) role is solely to make sure TES is operating with respect of TW laws and regulations. But doing so, they recently felt the need to get a closer look and get their hands in... in disregards with their own Constitution...

And so does the GS former BOG member, not all the kids want to run a company, or start up, and many of kids of EU not aim on it.

Thank you Jean. If anyone is doubting the seriousness of this petition, please contact us and we'll explain as more as needed.

Petition acknowledged and supported