Local Representatives Join School Review Meetings

Public meetings begin today, Jan. 6, as a committee studying the school review process consults with communities across Nova Scotia.

The consultations committee, headed by Robert Fowler, will hold nine meetings. Mr. Fowler and a local representative will attend each public meeting.

The local representative will listen to the public comments and contribute feedback to the full committee when it meets to discuss recommendations.

"I encourage every Nova Scotian who is interested in improving the school review process to come out and share their views with the committee," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey. "We want a full discussion on a solution that works for all -- students, families, school boards and communities."

The locations, dates and local representatives are:

• Sydney, today, Sherwood Park Education Centre, Eileen Lannon Oldford
• Port Hawkesbury, Tuesday, Jan. 7, Strait Area Education-Recreation Centre, Bob MacEachern
• Truro, Thursday, Jan. 9, Cobequid Education Centre, Laurie Jennings
• Bridgewater, Jan. 13, Park View Education Centre, Marg Forbes
• Yarmouth, Jan. 14, Yarmouth Consolidated High School, David Saxton
• Berwick, Jan. 15, Berwick and District School, local representative to be named
• Amherst, Jan. 20, Amherst Regional High, Michael Wilson
• Dartmouth, Jan. 21, Dartmouth High School, Dr. Henry Bishop
• Halifax (French language), Jan. 22, Ecole secondaire du Sommet (video conference), local representative to be named

The meetings are from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Meetings will also be held with local school advisory council representatives in each location.

The deadline for recommendations to the minister is Feb. 28. Meetings with interested groups, such as the Nova Scotia School Boards’ Association, have also been held over the past month.

The public meeting schedule, more information on the consultation process and a discussion paper can be found at www.ednet.ns.ca/schoolreviewprocess. People can also make submissions through the website, e-mail or regular mail.