Two-year Terms for School Board Chairs to be Repealed

Nova Scotia's elected school boards will continue the tradition of electing chairs and vice-chairs to one-year terms under legislation introduced today, Oct. 2.

The amendments to the Education Act repeal a provision passed in 2008 that changed the term of office for both posts to two years. The legislation also amends the act to establish and clarify the procedure for filling a vacancy in the office of the vice-chair.

"These amendments simply refine legislation passed last year that contained a package of reforms that strengthened the governance structure of school boards," said Education Minister Marilyn More.

"After discussion with the Nova Scotia School Boards Association, I feel that the current practice of electing chairs and vice- chairs to one-year terms, with an opportunity to re-elect a strong leader, is the better governance model," she said.

Legislation passed last November increased the effectiveness of boards and provided a broader range of options to maintain discipline.