School election voting underway

School election voting underway

Voting is underway at schools throughout New Zealand to decide who will guide our children’s future over the next three years.

Nominations for the 2010 School Trustees Elections closed last Friday and voting forms are now being posted out to eligible voters. For the majority of schools voting closes at noon on Friday 7 May.

National Election Project Manager, Elaine Hines says it is essential that school parent communities have their say about who is on their school board.

The 2010 School Trustee Elections are New Zealand’s biggest single democratic election process with more than 15,000 trustees needed to make boards at 2,460 state and state integrated schools.

“It is essential that parents vote for the leaders of their school. Strong leaders make strong schools. Trustees provide the strategic direction for the school and make decisions that influence and support educational opportunities for every child in their school over the next three years” says Elaine.

Trustees play a key role in working with principals, staff, students, parents and the community to lead their schools.

Elaine says the nomination process has been a huge success with virtually every single school receiving enough nominations to either form a board or go to an election.

For schools who received the correct number of nominations, trustees will take office on 30 April. Schools who received more nominations than they have positions for will go to election with voting closing at 12 noon Friday 7 May. Results will be declared on 13 May and trustees will take office on 14 May.

Elaine Hines says it is now up to school parent communities to play their part in the democratic process.

“It is vital that parents make the most of this opportunity and get their votes in. Vote Now!”

ENDS

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