A second member of the Mount Aspiring College (MAC) Board of Trustees (BOT) has resigned, it was announced today (Tuesday May 5). 

Parent representative Tracey Gibson had been a board member for more than seven years.

Her resignation follows that of Glenn Peat, who had been chair of the board for two months before he resigned on April 24, citing concerns about the board’s approach.

The school has faced tough questions since a 2019 Education Review Office (ERO) report identified MAC overall as a “developing” school, indicating variable conditions for student learning and variable outcomes for students. The report also noted further development was needed to build professional relationships, develop consistent systems and procedures, and build evaluation capacity.

Parent representative Ed Nepia is now acting chair of the board, and one of his first tasks in the role was to announce the second resignation to the parent community today.

Following Tracey’s resignation, Ed wrote to parents, saying: “As you will appreciate the board is having to reorient following these recent resignations. The board is currently engaged with NZSTA [New Zealand School Trustees Association] to help guide us through the process of electing new parent representatives and to assist us in our efforts to improve the board’s performance.”

He said the board remained focused on improving the school’s performance. 

“The board will continue to seek our community’s input as we work toward the shared goal of providing the best possible educational outcomes for our students,” he wrote.

Glenn Peat resigned in late April, citing issues with the board’s communication and approach. PHOTO: Wanaka App

Yesterday, MAC principal Wayne Bosley and Ed told the Wanaka App the board had reluctantly accepted Glenn’s resignation as the board members unanimously agreed that Glenn was a valued board member and “had much to offer”.

Wayne and Ed said they could not comment on Glenn’s reasons for resigning, “as they are personal to him”, but Glenn told the Wanaka App he left “because I don’t believe our morals align”.

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MAC board chair resigns, citing ‘incorrect approach’

“I believe that as the governing body of MAC, the board should not only instigate change as required, but act with honesty, integrity and transparency… It became apparent that the board was continuing to take the same approach as the past while expecting a different outcome - which is not a logical process,” Glenn said. 

In his letter to parents today, Ed thanked Tracey for her “outstanding contribution and service to the college over many years” and wished her the best with her future plans. He did not address her reasons for leaving.

Wayne and Ed said the board is focussed on creating positive changes at MAC, and values diversity of thought. 

There are now two casual vacancies for parent representatives and Ed said this will be opened up to the community via an election “in due course”. The board will also select someone from within the community to co-opt as a new chair for the remainder of Glenn’s term (which ends in December).

The Wanaka App approached Tracey for comment.