Sweeping changes are on the way for education in Nova Scotia.
Government announced it will be adopting eleven of the 22 recommendations contained in Dr. Avis Glaze’s report released Tuesday.
Topping the list is government’s plan to dissolve the seven English Language school boards to create one provincial advisory board.
Minister of Education Zach Churchill says this is not a reflection of the work done by school board members.
“I think this is reflective of a structural challenge that we have in our system that has prevented us from adapting and being responsive, as quickly as we need to be, to the ever developing needs of kids. This is a commentary on the system itself, not the players within it.”
Seven of Nova Scotia’s eight school boards will be combined to form one provincial advisory board.
However, the French CSAP board will remain independent to reflect their unique role in preserving Acadian culture.
Churchill couldn’t give a timeline for when the changes would happen.
He says the Education Act will need to be changed for a number of recommendations to come into effect.
And it is not up to him when the legislature will sit again.
Meanwhile,
South Shore Regional School Board’s superintendent Scott Milner says he’s glad school board members have been recognized for their work by the Education Minister.
Scott Milner says they’re a dedicated team.
“The ones I’ve had contact with over my years, truly do care about their role. Truly do look at the information, listen to staff and make the best decisions they could.”
Milner says there is much work to be done to determine how roles within the board will shake out under the new provincial model.
But he was pleased to hear the province doesn’t anticipate anyone would be laid off as a result of the restructuring.
Milner recognizes there will be challenges when designing the new administrative system.
“I think the key is how we strengthen the School Advisory Councils and how we bring that voice to the table in a manner that’s productive for the whole region.”
Milner says there may not be an advisory council for each individual school and suggests an SAC could be formed to serve a family of schools.
He says relationship building and a diversity of voices on those councils will be important to ensuring all local voices are heard.
