More voice school concerns

Waitaki Boys' High School. Photo by staff photographer.
Waitaki Boys' High School. Photo by staff photographer.
Another eight expressions of concern about issues at Waitaki Boys' High School have been reported to the Ministry of Education, which has referred them to the school's board of trustees to handle.

That brings the total to 25, since the ministry first got involved earlier this year.

The issues, which broadly covered administration and management at the school, led to an issues report being prepared by Dunedin-based education consultant Cleave Hay, which contained nine recommendations the board is now addressing, with a September 30 deadline for completion.

Board chairman Garry McLeod said the board was making good progress on those and it expected to meet the deadline.

The Ministry of Education's head of sector enablement and support, Katrina Casey, said the board had set a timetable to resolve the issues raised in Mr Hay's report and by those who had contacted the ministry.

''At that time we will make a decision about what is required to ensure that all issues are satisfactorily resolved. This could include statutory intervention if the board cannot demonstrate sufficient progress,'' she said.

In the meantime, the ministry continued to monitor the school's progress.

The board was still engaged in a process to address the matters outlined in Mr Hay's report and it was important it had the opportunity to do so without undue interference, Ms Casey said.

Eight further expressions of concern about the board's handling of issues had been received, which were similar to those already raised. They can be addressed if the actions identified by Mr Hay are taken by the board.

The ministry was advising people to take their concerns directly to the board. The Education Review Office (ERO) visited the school and discussed its findings with the board of trustees on August 18.

''We have not yet been advised of ERO's findings, but this is normal as it's important it works first with the school. We will be talking to ERO when they are ready to do so,'' Ms Casey said.

david.bruce@odt.co.nz