Two top positions still need to be filled at Waitaki Boys' High School as the troubled Oamaru school prepares to begin its second full year under a commissioner.
The secondary school has re-advertised for a rector after seven applications were received in December to replace former rector Paul Jackson, who held the top job for four years.
The school also needs a new hostel manager, after Troy Looms left.
Nevertheless, school commissioner Nicola Hornsey said Waitaki Boys' could make progress in what should be her last year in the role by ‘‘sticking to the plans that have been made, and always remembering to keep the boys at the forefront''.
''We're still in that transition phase, but a lot of things have happened.''
The Tekapo resource management and employment lawyer took on the role of commissioner in October 2014 after the board of trustees stood down in face of three independent reports that identified serious issues at the school, including a ''toxic environment'' for staff.
Ms Hornsey's first year had been ''intensive'' but progress had been made.
''I think everyone now understands, hopefully, and believes that the way in which staff are appointed and managed is fair and equitable,'' she said.
''It's about having confidence that we're there to look after all staff and to support them to do their best.
''If they're happy ... the school becomes a happier place.''
The previous rector, Mr Jackson, stepped down at the end of the 2015 school year. His departure came after an announcement in October a 12.5% drop in enrolments was predicted at the school this year, which resulted in cuts to funding and three teachers volunteering to have their jobs disestablished.
Ms Hornsey said the rector position was re-advertised to ''cast a wider net''.
She admitted the timing of the initial application process was not ideal.
The seven applications already received would still be considered.
''Everyone gets tired in any job, but particularly in education, at the end of the year and I think our timing of placing the advertisements - while we had the best intentions - in terms of people's energy levels it was probably not the best time. And we just want to make sure that we have got as full a field of applicants as possible.''
Ms Hornsey said the re-advertisement would ''not necessarily'' change the expectation a new rector could be in place in time for the beginning of the second term on May 2.
Former Otago Boys' High School rector Clive Rennie was appointed temporarily as Waitaki rector in December last year.
Deputy hostel manager Ross Ovens, a former head boy at the school, had stepped up to take on the hostel duties in the interim after former hostel manager Mr Looms left to work overseas.
Ms Hornsey would not know specific numbers until school started in February, but the school was budgeting for fewer than 80 pupils staying at the hostel.
The facility catered for 86 boys last year.
But she said she believed the school had ''stemmed the outflow'', and just had to work on increasing the "inflow".
