School Review Chair Named

A former deputy minister will chair a committee developing a new school review process that meets the needs of students, families and communities.

Robert Fowler was most recently mayor of Bridgetown and has 34 years of experience in the civil service, including deputy minister to the premier, head of the Nova Scotia public service and clerk of the Executive Council. Mr. Fowler also headed the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency. In 2011, he received the Lieutenant-Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service.

"Bob Fowler will bring leadership and extensive experience to the committee as it develops a holistic process that meets the needs of all Nova Scotians," Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Ramona Jennex said today, June 10. "I encourage all Nova Scotians to participate and have their say on how we can create a modern school review process."

The committee membership, being finalized now, will include representatives from government departments, school boards and municipalities.

It will gather information and use the interim report of the Nova Scotia Commission on Building our New Economy in its deliberations.

The committee will develop a discussion paper by September. The paper will be made public and feedback from parents, school boards, communities and municipalities will be sought before any decision is made. A new process is expected to be in place by next spring.

Mr. Fowler will attend a meeting in Berwick between Ms. Jennex and elected school board members tonight. Another meeting is scheduled for June 19 in Halifax.

School boards have put the school review process on hold while the committee does its work.