Minister Disbands Strait Regional School Board

Education Minister Karen Casey announced today, May 26, that she is disbanding the Strait Regional School Board to protect the interests of students and board staff.

"This is a decision that I hoped I would not have to make, but this board continues to struggle to maintain decorum and a professional working relationship among its members," said Ms. Casey. "They have failed to put their differences behind them and are still being distracted from their mandate."

Effective immediately, the minister is exercising her authority under Section 68 of the Education Act to remove all responsibilities from the elected board members. Those responsibilities will transfer to John Sears, a former professor and vice-president academic at St. Francis Xavier University.

Mr. Sears, appointed by the minister in February, is already carrying out human resource and financial management functions of the board.

"I am pleased that Mr. Sears has agreed to take on these additional responsibilities," said Ms. Casey.

Under the act, the minister can appoint a person to carry out the duties of a school board if that board fails to comply with performance standards as directed by the minister.

Ms. Casey issued directives to board members on Oct. 3, 2007, ordering them to meet performance standards relating to their code of ethics and the board's procedural by-laws.

"Dismissing the Strait regional board members means that some effective members are being removed. However, this is my only option under the Education Act," said Ms. Casey.

Department staff have been directed to examine other options for dealing with dysfunctional school boards in the future.

"I have begun a period of consultation on how to address transgressions by individual board members," the minister said. "I intend to bring forward legislation in the fall that will outline the role of both the boards and the minister in the discipline of individual board members."

School board elections will take place across Nova Scotia in October. At that time, a new elected board will resume its full responsibilities.