School Governor

[dave1948]

In a voluntary capacity I am a School Governor.

At a training session a fortnight ago I said something which perceived by one person present to be "racist". I have been summoned by the Chair of Governors (who was present at the training) to a meeting with her and the Headteacher (who was not present). I do not remember exactly what I said but I do remember apologising at the training.

I have asked the Chair for details of what I said but she refuses to tell me saying that it will only be discussed at the meeting. Is this fair and legally correct ?

[SirOracle]

I think it is fair and not illegal.

If you apologised for what you said then surely you can remember what it was that you said.

[dave1948]

Actually no I cannot remember Nothing was made of at the time.

I would like to know exactly what I am being accused of. ALso this happened a week and a half before any complaint was brought to my attention. In these circumstances why can the complaint not be outlined ?

[SirOracle]

Dave You contradict yourself here. In your first paragraph last sentence you say that you apologised for what you said,but you now cannot remember what you apologised for.

I think that if I apologised then I would know what I was apologising for.

[dave1948]

At the time I perceived that what I said could be interpreted as "racist" and immediately said I was sorry for the remark and that was it at the meeting.
I honestly do not remember and no-one complained there and then.

Now a week and half later I am being held to account I can however assure you that that no foul or abusive language was used. I have apologised again and obviously can do no more.

[Butterbun]

Will you come back after the meeting and let us know what happened.

[black_cat51]

Ask to see their "disciplinary" procedures (i bet they don't have any)
I would imagine the meeting will be informal or semi-formal, and they'll just ask you not to do it again

[dave1948]

Of course I 'll tell what happens.

I am distraught by the whole business. Even in a court of law you would be told in advance what you are being charged with. This strikes me as being a new chair of Governors (less than a month in the role) seeking to assert her control.

In an exchange of emails I offered my resignation but she seems determined to want a hearing.

[Maydup]

As a volunteer, you have no rights (in law) at all really. They have invited you to a meeting and will discuss it then. Best not to pressurise them or do yourself further damage by bothering them for information ahead of the meeting after all, that's what its for.

Be ready to apologise again, rather than say you can't remember, but if they decide you were offensive they will ask you to stand down. Its not a court of law, just a voluntary situation and they can't risk inappropriate comments in a school environment. Good luck

[Prudie]

If you offered your resignation and it will not upset you too much to stop doing it then I'd just leave and not go through any hearing. It's voluntary for goodness sake, who'd want that hassle.

[EDDIE51]

Can you remember what the remark was that started all this or can you not remember that as well? so far we have nothing to go on.
If you can't remember either the original remark or your reply I don't see what you can do.

[sunny-dave]

It seems that you are being ambushed - that is against natural justice and almost certainly not the correct process.

However small the school, they must have written procedures for this sort of event - and must follow them.

As a governor you have status/position and they can't just make it up as they go along - regardless of what a new chair might think.

Ask them :

1. Is it a formal meeting or just a 'clear the air' talk.

2. If it is a formal meeting insist that the Clerk to the Governors is present and takes notes - in most state schools there should be a local authority rep present too.

3. If it's informal, then it is up to you whether you go or not - personally I'd be awkward and insist on a time/place of my choosing - and take a friend (preferably another governor) with me.

4. Having the Head present at an informal meeting is very dubious - there should be a clear executive/governor divide - it seems like they're ganging up on you. Don't put up with it.

[Canary42]

I would just not turn up. Let the tyrant sort that one out.

[zebo]

Take someone else with you and also either taker copious notes or even place a recording device on the table. If they object tell them you want an independent, undisputed record of the proceedings. It's hard enough to get people to become School Governors, even without this kind of thing. I would bet that in the end, one unnamed person has taken offence at some innocuous comment, some people love to take offence. A colleague was setting up the lab for a Open Evening asked her student helpers Who's manning this bench tonight. A parent-governor publically told her she shouldn't use sexist language, that she ought to use gender neutral words. So she then asked them Who's personning this bench tonight, which didn't go down well at all.

[dave1948]

Thank you for your advice.

I believe I am guilty of (a) making a remark which instantly perceived to be inappropriate which I apologised there and then. To leave in my way of thinking would be to acknowledge a greater crime than was committed. People excessively touchy and overreact where anything slightly racist is mentioned as misinterpret the intent. I repeat I do not remember what I said but of the 6 people in the room no-one passed comment at the time which would surely have been the case were there major upset caused.

I will attend but if they are going to blow this into something of major importance then I will go there and then as I have got no wish to argue my case with them.

[EDDIE51]

How were you informed about the meeting and what was given as the reason for it?
How were you made aware that you are alleged to have made the racist remark?
Thinking about this all I can see is that you can only say
'' If I did make such a remark I was unaware of it, it was unintentional and I have apologised. There is no more I can say as I can not even remember making such a comment in the first place''
As you are not an employee there can not be a disiplinary meeting so what are they telling you the purpose of the meeting is?

[black_cat51]

'' If I did make such a remark I was unaware of it, it was unintentional and I have apologised. There is no more I can say as I can not even remember making such a comment in the first place''
except of course that will hardly wash when dave already apologised directly after making the remark so he must have known it was racist.
even if he can't remember exactly the words he used, he remembers the flavour of them.
dave, i think you don't have to worry - go to the meeting and i bet they'll just talk to you about future conduct and avoiding such situations in the future

[dave1948]

I have been racking my brain and can only think that I said something is "the n????? in the woodpile" An expression which was used quite a lot in my youth. I then realised some one might take offence and apologised.

There was no comment made by anyone at the time. I was advised 9 days later by the Chair of Governors that I was to have a meeting "about an incident in school involving me"" The fact that the meeting was proposed to be held in the school half-term break indicates to me that it is not being regarded as a minor matter.

[weecalf]

There are very few remarks which can not be changed if you put in a ifs but .so just say you said if what ever.wee bit of advice hear do not fret or worry because no matter how much you think a situation will turn out it will never be as you thought .Usually someone dosnt appear .

[sue11]

If you used the term n***** in the woodpile as a general comment about an problem and this is what has caused offence, I personally would struggle to see this as racist, as this term applies to a situation and is not directed at a person in particular.
It seems to me that someone has jumped on the racist bandwagon and have been over sensitive, possibly in an attempt to get you into trouble?
To be honest do you really need the hassle of dealing with issues such as these? I guess that you are giving up your time and experience free of charge in your role, how nice to be so appreciated!