Three Te Aute staff lose jobs, others face change

Elizabeth Ellis, commissioner. Three Te Aute College staff have lost their jobs and nine will be transferred to a new employer under changes to the school's structure.
The changes were prompted by a separation between the school and hostel operations, which was required because the school now received a Ministry of Education grant which could not be used to fund the boarding hostel.
Commissioner Elizabeth Ellis said the three school administration staff were made redundant as work related to the hostel would now be carried out by the Te Aute Trust Board.
"The operations grant will only cover a small staff because they're only looking after school business now," Ms Ellis said.
Hostel staff were formally given a month's notice yesterday, and would have the choice of taking up new jobs under the same terms and conditions.
Dormitory and maintenance staff would be employed by the Te Aute Trust Board, while kitchen and laundry staff would be employed by a private company, Eurest, which would be contracted to provide services for the hostel.
Ms Ellis said there was no question all the staff would have the option to remain. "They were told they would all have the same conditions and the same pay and would move to a new employer," she said.
She said she had tried to keep staff fully informed throughout the process.
"We don't want the boys upset, so we don't want the staff upset," she said.
"It hasn't been really settled for a while because of the uncertainty of what's been happening in the school.
"There was all sorts of adverse publicity, so the staff have really had an unsettled workplace for some time and I really aim to try to change that and make them feel good about working here."
A letter given to staff said they were expected to receive new offers of employment by mid-June, giving them time to consider before the official transfer on July 1.
Those who decided not to take up the offer would receive severance pay.
Ms Ellis was appointed commissioner after the school's Board of Trustees voluntarily stood down this year.