The Ministry of Education has appointed a limited statutory manager to Rotorua's Kea St Specialist School to help solve "long-standing employment issues".
The appointment was made following a request by the school's Board of Trustees for help.
Ministry head of sector enablement and support Katrina Casey said the limited statutory manager was appointed following a request for assistance "in a number of areas".
"A limited statutory manager is vested with the powers and responsibilities of a Board of Trustees in one or more areas of its responsibility, to address identified risks to the operation of the school, and or the welfare or the education of its students."
Ms Casey said the manager had taken over the Board of Trustees' responsibilities for employment, allocating resources, communicating with parents and financial management. The manager's responsibilities will include "setting up effective appraisal systems and an effective complaints process", she said. "The limited statutory manager will also be responsible for allocating resources effectively to support effective teaching and continuous improvement in learner progress and achievement, and will also provide advice to the board about communicating with parents and on financial management."
Ms Casey said the appointment was not permanent and the board and principal would continue to be responsible for all areas of school governance, except employment and curriculum.
"Our aim is that schools with statutory interventions return to full self-governance as soon as possible."
Ms Casey said it was the responsibility of the Board of Trustees to notify parents of the appointment.
Kea St Specialist School principal Sherie Collins said neither she, nor the Board of Trustees, could comment on the situation. According to its site, the school provides education for students aged 5 to 21 with intellectual and physical disabilities, from the greater Rotorua and Taupo area. In Rotorua, satellite classes operate at Western Heights School, Kaitao Middle School, Owhata Primary and two satellite classes at Malfroy. In Taupo there is a class located at Mountview Primary School. Four classes operate at the Kea St base school. All students are enrolled at Kea Street Specialist School, and all staff are employed by the Kea Street Board of Trustees.