Southwest Pilot Evaluation Team Appointed
Education Minister Jane Purves today announced the three members of the team of education professionals that will conduct an evaluation of the school board pilot project in southwestern Nova Scotia.
The evaluation team members are J. Colin Dodds, PhD, president of Saint Mary's University; Pamela Campbell, a retired teacher and administrator from the New Brunswick public school system; and Leonard MacDonald, an education consultant and retired teacher and superintendent of schools from Nova Scotia's public school system.
"Each team member brings an important perspective to the evaluation process," said Ms. Purves. "Ms. Campbell and Mr. MacDonald offer insight from careers focused on the public school system, both in Nova Scotia and outside the province. Dr. Dodds adds a unique view from the post-secondary level and from the business world as a finance professor."
The team will evaluate the effectiveness of the Southwest pilot, which tests a form of organization for school boards that is new in this province. In this new form, one chief executive officer who reports directly to the department takes care of things like school buildings, busing and human resources for two district boards. Elected members of both boards can then focus on the quality of education in the classroom.
"We'll be taking a comprehensive look at what's working and what's not working, in everything from governance and education programs to finance, communications and accountability," said Mr. Dodds, who will also chair the committee.
Last week, Ms. Purves expressed concerns regarding school board accountability in light of recent events in the Chignecto Central and Strait Regional school boards. Both situations involved financial dealings that elected board members were unaware of and had not approved.
"When we formed this government, we recognized the need to build accountability," she said. "The evaluation, which starts today with the appointment of these members, couldn't be more timely."
Ms. Purves said she looks forward to recommendations that will help improve accountability between board administration, elected members, government and the public.
A steering committee was formed this summer to guide the evaluation process. It has representation from the Tri-County and the South Shore District school boards, the Nova Scotia School Boards Association, the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, the Association of Nova Scotia Education Administrators and the Department of Education.
The committee developed terms of reference, available on the department's Web site at www.ednet.ns.ca/swrsbpilot. Consultations with stakeholders will be a part of the process. A final report will be submitted to the minister by mid-January 2002.