Another chance for troubled charter school

Education Minister Hekia Parata is giving Northland 's troubled charter school another chance because she's worried about the students' educational opportunities. PHOTO/FILE

Minister of Education Hekia Parata will let a problematic Northland charter school continue to operate, despite an audit finding sufficient grounds to close the kura.

Te Pumanawa o te Wairua near Whangaruru will at least remain open for the remainder of the year with another audit assessing its progress in October.
The announcement, and accompanying documents about the school, were released publicly at 1pm today.

The kura was issued a performance notice by Ms Parata in February after ongoing issues following its opening at the start of last year. It included a fallout between senior managers and serious health and safety issues including bullying and drug use.

Ms Parata said she had opted to keep the school open because of concerns around the kura's students.
"Keeping them in school and learning is in their best interests and the best interests of the wider community," Ms Parata said.
"That is why I have decided to give the new board a chance to show it can make a difference to the lives of kids who otherwise face a bleak future."

Located on a farm in Whangaruru, northwest of Whangarei, the kura caters for Years 9-13 students who typically have been on the margins of the education system.

The full 48 page audit, conducted by Deloitte and dated May 28, was also released and outlined issues with its financial performance, administration and governance.
Since February the kura had worked to address the concerns, Ms Parata said. Those include: appointing a new chair, disestablishing two school management positions and replacing them with an experienced and highly regarded principal, reviewing policies and procedures, and gaining the support of key local leaders.

The Northern Advocate understands of the five original trustees, only one remains.
The changes did not yet go far enough, Ms Parata said.
In exchange for keeping the school open the trust had agreed to three changes. They were: work with the Ministry to secure the kura's new education leader, appoint one or more trustees nominated by Ms Parata and appoint a trustee with a recognised financial and business background.

"If the Board had not agreed to those changes, I would have issued it with a notice to terminate the agreement when I met with it in Whangarei just under three weeks ago," Ms Parata said.
While there would be another audit in October, Ms Parata reserved the right to close the kura earlier.

For more, read tomorrow's Northern Advocate.