Costly action in schools disputed

Tai Tokerau Principals' Association president Pat Newman laments the cost of these commissioners on Northland schools.

More commissioners and limited statutory managers appointed by the Ministry of Education are intervening in Northland schools than in any other region this year.

Cost has also arisen as a concern, with Moerewa School paying their commissioner more than $150,000 in fees and expenses in the year to April 2013. Eight commissioners and five limited statutory managers are in Northland schools, where the Ministry of Education believes there is risk to the operation of the schools, student achievement or to student welfare and safety.

Nationally there are 26 schools with commissioners and 46 with limited statutory managers.

A limited statutory manager is appointed to take control of some of the authorities of the Board of Trustees while working alongside them and the principal.

The New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) is calling for an independent inquiry into the process, and the Green Party is saying the Ministry, not the schools, should foot the bill for the work. Moerewa School has had commissioner Mike Eru at the school from April 2012, and in the year to April 2013 he was paid $150,000 from the school. Mr Eru has been at Moerewa School for 18 months, and his salary for a year cost the school $900 per student. The school role is 160.

Tai Tokerau Principals' Association president Pat Newman laments the cost of these commissioners on Northland schools.

"That's money that could have been spent on learning resources, trips for the kids, excursions and extra staff that the kids could do with," Mr Newman said.

There are currently limited statutory managers at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Kaikohe, Kaikohe Intermediate, Matihetihe School, Ngunguru School and Omanaia School. At present there are Commissioners at Ngataki School, Kaitaia Abundant Life School, Moerewa School, Northland College, Te Hapua School, Poroti School, Pampauria School and St Joseph's School in Dargaville.

Mr Newman said the large number of interventions of schools in Northland reflected the uniquely difficult situation for educators in the region.

"There are a large number of isolated schools that are difficult to staff. Some of our communities lack the skills needed to run them."

Head of sector enablement and support at the Ministry of Education Katrina Casey said, "We actively work to ensure that a school is returned to full governance within two years.

"Commissioners and limited statutory managers must report to us monthly on progress towards the agreed outcomes set out at the start of their appointment."

Mr Eru is also in place as a commissioner at Otara School in Auckland and is a limited statutory manager at Kaikohe Intermediate.

Moerewa School said they could not comment and Mr Eru could not be reached for comment.

NZEI national secretary Paul Goulter said the organisation has been concerned for some time about the way in which commissioners and limited statutory managers have been appointed to schools, and how they run their interventions.