Mount parents to get say in schools merger debate

Mount Maunganui parents have been urged to have their say on a possible merger between their local intermediate school and college.
The boards of trustees from both Mount Maunganui Intermediate and Mount Maunganui College have begun a voluntary community consultation process.
The move is prompted by the impact of the new college in Papamoa, due to open in February 2011, which will eventually cater to years 7-13.
But while the Mount College is in support of a merger, the intermediate school favours the current set-up of two separate schools.
Mount Maunganui College board chair Paul Geoghegan and Mount Intermediate chair Donna Osborn have sent a letter to parents seeking their feedback.
The letter outlines arguments from both sides and includes a questionnaire in which people are asked to give their preference and feedback.
Mr Geoghegan said the majority of Mount Maunganui College pupils came from east of Girven Rd. When the  Education Ministry called for feedback on the Papamoa schooling situation two years ago, Mount College suggested it be moved to the more central Mangatawa Block.
But when the ministry forged ahead with plans for the Papamoa college, the Mount College board decided to look at the option of merging with the intermediate to make one big year 7-13 school.
"We had to start thinking, how do we adjust and cater for the changes that might occur?" Mr Geoghegan said.
The  Education Ministry had predicted the Mount College roll could drop by about 200 in 2012-2014.
While the impact of the new college on Mount College's roll was "speculative", Mr Geoghegan said it was likely pupil numbers would drop significantly.  "Parents from that end of Papamoa will see the benefit to their kids going to a college that's closer."
If a merger did take place, both boards had agreed the new larger school would be on the Mount Maunganui College site.
Both principals and teaching staff would be asked to reapply for their jobs. There was a chance there would be a "principal" role for the junior school.
"There's a lot of uncertainty for the staff - both boards would acknowledge that," Ms Osborn said.  "We want an outcome very promptly for staff."
The schools had retained a good relationship throughout the process, both chairs said.
"There's been a respect for each other's positions. Both of us agree there's no absolute answer to this. Parents have to make the appropriate choice for their children," Mr Geoghegan said.
Any decision will ultimately be made by the Education Ministry. 
The intermediate believes the current style of school is better for years 7 and 8, as all teachers and resources are geared towards this age group.
An intermediate school offers a "transition period" between primary school and college, offering more leadership opportunities and a relationship with a "home room" teacher, the board said.
Ms Osborn, who has worked as a clinical psychologist, said intermediate-aged children were at an age when a lot of questions were answered. "(At intermediate) they can focus on these questions, without being focused on the sort of things that happen when they go to high school.
"There isn't research that says this is the best, or that is the best. It's dependent on the community. We need to see what the community wants."
The college believes a year 7-13 high school would offer benefits, including specialised teaching staff, more mentoring opportunities and a strong sense of community.
Mr Geoghegan, a district court judge, believed the needs of year 7 and 8 students could be met in the new high school model.
"You have a continuity, which has an intangible effect.
"There is a considerable benefit of a child being in a school community for a significant number of years, where their development can be tracked over a long period of time."
A public meeting will be held in the staff room at Mount Maunganui Intermediate on Wednesday October 21 at 7.30pm, and in the Mount Maunganui College staffroom on Wednesday October 28 at 7.30pm.