Last night marked the last time the South Shore Regional School Board will meet.
Board members took the time to thank staff, and the parents and students from the schools they serve.
Artwork by students from those schools were given to the board members in recognition of their work over the years.
Board Chair Theresa Griffin also expressed her gratitude but cautioned with the loss of the school boards, local voices may not be heard.
“I don’t think that you can have all the decision-making emanate from Halifax. You do have to have a thorough understanding of the regions.”
@SouthShoreRSB being told an opportunity is being lost for community to be involved at a significant level pic.twitter.com/zKe3Isk2pi
— Ed Halverson (@edwardhalverson) March 28, 2018
Griffin also expressed her concerns around how they will be replaced.
“We have created this large bureaucracy and the decision making is not public, it’s not transparent.”
Griffin will now be part of the team helping to establish how the new provincial advisory committee will function.
A new role is also awaiting Superintendent Scott Milner.
Starting Monday, Milner will be one of eight Regional Executive Directors of Education reporting directly to the Deputy Minister of Education.
He recognizes the challenge he will have to communicate with each of the schools in his region.
“Part of it’s just being present in schools and being present in communities where I can. I’m going to be relying upon the Enhanced School Advisory Councils a great deal.”
When asked if he’s concerned about the closed nature of the education system, Milner says he will work to ensure the public education system is transparent.
He says he’s learned over his past two years that communication is key.
“I’ll go to them. To think that our communities will always come here is false. I need to make sure that I go to where they meet”
@SouthShoreRSB meets for last time. Stresses communication is essential going forward towards new admin model pic.twitter.com/vUDMGN7vWt
— Ed Halverson (@edwardhalverson) March 28, 2018
Milner says he will be relying on the newly formed SACs to help keep him apprised of their concerns as well.
He says first thing Monday morning he’ll begin working to let the community know how he can be contacted.
The board also released the following statement thanking their communities for their support.
