School Board Model Can Work, Southwest Report

The structure of the school board in southwestern Nova Scotia should remain in place with some modifications, according to a recent evaluation.

Education Minister Jane Purves today released the Southwest Pilot Report, an evaluation of a new school board structure initiated in April 2000. The Southwest Regional School Board now includes two district school boards that are responsible for the delivery of educational programs and services and one administrative body that looks after support services for both boards.

"One of our goals was to have the district boards focus more of their time on education and students," said Ms. Purves. "The report states that they have been able to do that."

As one example, because of a greater focus on education, a new Assistive Technology Centre for students with disabilities opened in Bridgewater in September 2001.

"This report says the model can work, and with adjustments it can work even better. Not surprisingly, with something new, there have been bumps along the way," said Ms. Purves. "The team gives some solid recommendations on how to smooth out those rough spots. We'll be taking a close look at those refinements."

Colin Dodds, chair of the review team, said the recommendations for change can be implemented by 2004 -- the time line that was originally established for the pilot project.

The report takes into account the issues of declining enrolment in the region, and the need for an education system that enables students to compete in the emerging knowledge-based global economy.

"The responses we received clearly indicate that the stakeholders feel the structure has allowed them to focus more intently on education programs, but that changes are necessary," he said. "Furthermore we were also encouraged by the sincerity and commitment shown by everyone we met during the review process."

The review team was appointed by the minister in October 2001 to answer a number of questions on governance, educational programs and services, finance, operations, communications and accountability in the Southwest region.

The report recommends retaining the present model with some modifications including establishing a board advisory committee; creating direct links between the administration, district school boards and school advisory councils; and sharing savings from school closures between the regional and district boards.

Other recommendations include:

• clarifying roles and responsibilities of boards and administration;
• improving communication between boards;
• establishing a long-term strategic plan;
• conducting an audit to improve busing and facilities;
• improving involvement of teachers, principals and school advisory councils;
• better information-sharing between administration and district school boards relative to financial matters;
• moving toward protected budgets for maintenance and facilities; and
• enhancing the Department of Education's monitoring role in all areas.

Twenty meetings were held throughout December, and close to 60 written submissions were received.

"I thank the team for this report and everyone who took the time to respond," added Ms. Purves. "I also want to thank the school boards for their co-operation, not only in this evaluation, but in working to support this pilot project."

Department staff will meet with the two district boards early next week and with superintendents to discuss the report. Ms. Purves said she will also be discussing the report with her cabinet colleagues and will respond to the specific recommendations later this winter.

The evaluation team members were Colin Dodds, 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.