News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--FINAL AMALGAMATION CO-ORDINATOR ANNOUNCED
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Dr. Leonard Williams, former deputy minister for the
Department of Education and Training in Newfoundland and
Labrador, has been appointed to co-ordinate the amalgamation
of the province's remaining regional school board, Metro.
Dr. Williams will direct the amalgamation of the Halifax
County-Bedford, Dartmouth and Halifax district school
boards.
As the chair of the 1990 Williams Royal Commission on
Education, Dr. Williams recommended comprehensive reforms to
primary and secondary education in Newfoundland and
Labrador. Many of these recommendations have been adopted
and the report has been recognized by other provinces as a
blueprint for education reform.
Dr. Williams began his career as a teacher in 1959. He
served as president of the Newfoundland Teachers Association
from 1972-1974 and was president of the Canadian Teachers
Federation in 1977. Dr. Williams was also a professor and
administrator of the Faculty of Education at Memorial
University for 15 years.
Appointed deputy minister in 1993, Dr. Williams has served
on numerous provincial education advisory committees as well
as a commission reviewing municipal amalgamation in the
Northeastern Avalon region.
"As an educator and author of a Royal Commission report, Dr.
Williams combines solid experience with a deep commitment to
education," said Education and Culture Minister John
MacEachern. "Dr. Williams has played a major role in
education reform in Newfoundland and Labrador and will draw
on his skills and experience in his new position."
Like other competitions, candidates were interviewed by a
departmental committee, based on established criteria
including leadership and communication skills, knowledge of
educational issues (such as school board and school council
roles and responsibilities), and management, finance and
consensus-building skills. Of the qualified candidates, Dr.
Williams' proposal ranked the highest against these criteria
and was the lowest bid.
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Contact: Donna MacDonald 902-424-2615
trp Dec. 22, 1995