The Ministry of Education has appointed a limited statutory manager for the Mount Aspiring College (MAC) board of trustees (BOT).

The manager will help the board resolve community concerns and implement its plan to address areas the Education Review Office (ERO) identified as needing strengthening, Ministry of Education sector enablement and support acting deputy secretary Helen Hurst told the Wanaka App.

Helen said “by far” the majority of schools operate successfully, but a small number develop difficulties that cannot be resolved without outside help.

“We always support schools to resolve problems themselves and only intervene as a last resort when there is risk present at the school that cannot be addressed in any other way. Where we do step in, an intervention aims to bring expertise and a fresh perspective. It also acts as a circuit breaker so that the focus of the school can go back on teaching and learning,” she said.

The intervention follows a critical ERO report last year which identified MAC as a ‘developing’ school.

Big challenges for MAC following ERO report

In the past few months two groups of parents have raised concerns about leadership issues at the school, two members of the BOT have resigned, and the Ministry of Education and NZ School Trustees Association have been working with the BOT.

Longstanding MAC principal Wayne Bosley resigned on Monday (May 25), saying “the time was right”.

MAC principal resigns

Helen said the board requested support to help resolve community concerns, and ensure it can effectively implement its plan to address the areas that ERO identified as needing strengthening. 

“We have agreed to appoint a limited statutory manager (LSM) with the powers, functions and duties of the board relating to employment and communication, and who will advise on policies and procedures,” she said.

“The key focus will be on supporting the board to resolve the current concerns, and leading a process to appoint a new principal. As with all interventions, the aim is to strengthen the processes of the board so they are well placed to return to full governance when the intervention is no longer needed.”

The Ministry of Education said it only intervenes as a last resort, when there is risk present at the school that cannot be addressed in any other way. PHOTO: Mount Aspiring College

BOT chair Ed Nepia said in a letter to parents yesterday (Thursday May 28) it hoped the LSM appointment “will mean the Parents of MAC group feel their perspectives will be fully considered and that any necessary changes will be actioned by the school”.

“The board believes the appointment will enable this to happen quickly and minimise the ongoing impact on the students, staff and school. We believe the appointment is a positive step, and look forward to turning our full attention to other key areas such as monitoring student achievement, recruiting a new principal and supporting our staff and students after what has been a challenging few months for our community.”

Ruth Heath, one of the 70 parents who co-signed a letter to the Ministry of Education with concerns about governance and leadership at the school, said the signatories agreed the appointment of an LSM is a positive step forward.

“It is what we have asked for and see as being necessary. It's great the Ministry of Education has decided to take this action,” she said.

Ed said he understood the LSM may be in place by the end of next week. Helen said it was too early to say how long the LSM would be in place.