The Government's $359 million flagship education policy has divided Northland schools with primary school principals wanting nothing to do with it.
Investing in Educational Success (IES) was launched in January and breaks schools into "clusters" of 10-12. The Ministry of Education plans to appoint executive principals, expert teachers and lead teachers who are paid up to $40,000 extra per year. While the Government had marketed the policy as improving the quality of teaching, some unions argued it is not the best use of money.
Bream Bay College principal Wayne Buckland expressed interest in joining a cluster but stopped short of saying the school would definitely be on board.
He said the expression of interest to the ministry was a way for the school to enter into negotiations to see if what they would like was possible.
"There are a number of things which we could find quite useful," he said.
Staff who usually facilitated professional development could potentially spend more time in the classroom, he said.
Those appointed in the new roles would spend two days a week out of their schools, assisting and supporting others.
The policy will cost $359 million over the next four years as it is implemented, then generating an annual cost of $150 million.
However, the four local primary schools that Mr Buckland wanted to join in a cluster want nothing to do with IES.
Marilyn Dunn, principal of Ruakaka Primary School, one of Mr Buckland's preferred schools, said she would rather see funds going towards more teacher aids.
"At this stage, we're holding right off being in any clusters," Ms Dunn said. While the two schools disagree over IES, both principals stress they will continue to work in close collaboration.
While Mr Buckland is open to IES, he too, has concerns, particularly around the creation of an executive principal as he was unsure it was necessary.
"If there is a resource that is available to be used that is going to be [helpful to students] then we would be silly not to use it," he said.
Ministry enablement and support sector head Katrina Casey said it had received a total of five expressions of interest from Northland in the past two months and 38 nationally.
While Ms Casey said the policy would build a "spirit of collaboration", it remains a point of tension among principals and unions alike.
Te Tai Tokerau Principals Association president Pat Newman said members at the association's executive meeting last week had many "concerns" over IES.
The Post Primary Teachers Association supports the policy.