News release

Province Appoints Ministerial Advisor for Tri-County Board

Education and Early Childhood Development

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey has appointed a well-known educator to work with the Tri-County Regional School Board to improve governance and accountability, and ensure the needs of students are being met.

Ms. Casey announced today, Dec. 5, that Jim Gunn will spend six months working with the board and senior staff to meet and implement the recommendations of the auditor general's recent performance audit of the board. He will meet with the minister on a monthly basis to provide progress updates.

"Dr. Gunn's wealth of experience and knowledge will provide the board with the support and guidance they need to ensure the recommendations are implemented in a timely manner," said Ms. Casey.

"The auditor general's report is very concerning and it is my responsibility to make sure that the focus is on successful student learning."

Mr. Gunn spent 14 years as a superintendent in the Annapolis Valley region and served as interim superintendent at the South Shore Board in 2006 and 2013, and at the Tri-County Board in 2011.

The department is finalizing the terms and conditions of the work.

"Given the urgency of this situation, I want students, teachers, parents and the board to know that work begins immediately to correct the shortfalls identified by the auditor general," said Ms. Casey.

The school board and senior management have accepted all the auditor general's recommendations.