Commissioners Appointed at Two Schools

NEWS RELEASE

27 April 2000 Immediate Release

Commissioners Appointed at Two Schools

Following the resignation of the Boards of Trustees of Tihiroa Primary School near Otorohanga and Mangakino Area School, commissioners have been appointed to carry out all the duties formerly the responsibility of the Boards of Trustees. Both boards resigned following Education Review Office reports which outlined on-going conflict with the schools' principals. In spite of measures taken by the Ministry of Education to assist them, the Boards of Trustees felt unable to resolve the issues, the Ministry said today. Frances Schramm has been appointed as commissioner to Tihiroa School. She recently completed a successful term as commissioner at Rotokauri School in Hamilton. Maurice Gianotti, of Taupo, an experienced educator and a senior public servant, has been appointed to govern Mangakino Area School. Ministry National Operations Manager in Hamilton, Heather Colby, said the daily management of both schools would continue to be the responsibility of the principals, working in close consultation with the commissioners. "Every step is being taken to ensure that the education of children attending the schools is not affected by the boards' resignations," she said. "The appointments of the commissioners are interim measures. It is their job to work closely with the schools, the principals and the communities to help the schools to operate effectively, so they can meet the expectations of the parents and the communities. The goal is for the schools to return to self-management." Heather Colby says the commissioners will advise the Ministry when Tihiroa Primary and Mangakino Area School are in a position to elect new Boards of Trustees.

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Enquiries: Heather Colby. Phone: (07) 838 8826 / 025 901 561

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