News Release Archive

EDUCATION/CULTURE--PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS URGED
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There are more than 163,900 reasons why you should become
involved with school board elections this fall, Education and
Culture Minister Robbie Harrison and Pat Smith, president of the
Nova Scotia School Boards Association, said today. 

"That number represents the students from across Nova Scotia
whose schools and educational experiences benefit from the hard
work and dedication of school board members," said Mr. Harrison. 

Said Ms. Smith: "Whether running in the elections or voting for
candidates, public interest and support are vital to the success
of our education system."

Nominations for candidates close at 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 22. 
Elections follow on Oct. 18. Advance polls will be held on Oct. 9
or 11, depending on the choice of municipalities, as well as on
Oct. 14 across the province.

Candidates elected Oct. 18 will be the first members elected to
serve on the recently amalgamated six regional boards and Conseil
scolaire acadien provincial. Current boards are made up of
representatives from pre-amalgamation boards.  

The department and the Nova Scotia School Boards Association also
recently announced the results of a stipend study for the new
boards. This means that, for the first time, board members from
across the province receive the same rates --$7,500 for board
members, $9,000 for vice-chairs and $12,000 for chairs.

"The new boards will have an exciting year of challenges and
opportunities ahead, so it is important that Nova Scotians show
their support by either running or voting in the elections," said
Mr. Harrison.

Anyone interested in serving as a board member or looking for
more information should contact Sharon Findlay-MacPhee,
communications manager, Nova Scotia School Boards Association, by
phone at 902-420-9191 (ext. 28), fax at 429-7405, or e-mail at
sharon@nssba.ednet.ns.ca.

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Contact: Sharon Findlay-MacPhee
         Nova Scotia School Boards Association
         902-420-9191 (ext 28)
         E-mail: sharon@nssba.ednet.ns.ca

         Catherine MacIsaac
         Department of Education and Culture
         902-424-2795
         E-mail: macisacl@gov.ns.ca

AVIS: Pour version francaise, appeler 902-424-4492 ou c. elec.
rossng@gov.ns.ca.

ngr                  September 18, 1997               1:35 pm