Consultation Backs Most Proposals to Improve School Board Governance

Legislative changes proposed by Education Minister Karen Casey to increase the effectiveness of elected school boards have received general support, based on the results of a public consultation that concluded Sept. 2.

Forty-two individuals and organizations responded to a government discussion paper outlining 11 legislative proposals. They included providing boards with strengthened authority to discipline board members and a requirement to adopt a standardized code of ethics and procedural bylaws.

"I want to thank everyone who provided us with their input," said Ms. Casey. "I am pleased to see that the public generally supports the direction we are proposing.

"My intention is to incorporate this feedback in draft legislation this fall. The goal all along is to ensure our school resources are well-managed, relationships are respectful, and the best interests of the province's students drive every decision,"she said.

Respondents strongly supported recommendations requiring school board members take a oath of office and that boards adopt a standardized code of ethics and procedural bylaws for the conduct at meetings.

There was also strong support for providing any disciplined board member with the right to appeal through an adjudicator.

The discussion paper, Increasing the Effectiveness of School Board Governance in Nova Scotia, also proposed a ministerial appointment process to fill board seats that become vacant.

There were significant concerns with this proposal. Many respondents favoured maintaining by-elections to fill vacated seats.

Ms. Casey said she will examine a range of options in consultation with cabinet and Opposition colleagues to address concerns.

Options could include maintaining the status quo or having a system using a combination of appointment or by-elections depending on how much time is left in a member's term.

The following measures will form the basis of the proposed legislation:

• school board members will be required to take an oath of office
• school boards will be required to adopt a standardized code of ethics
• boards will be required to adopt a standardized procedural by- law for the conduct of meetings
• boards will have authority to censure individual members, including the power to suspend a member for between one and three months, or to recommend to the minister to vacate a member's seat
• a censured board member will have the right to appeal his or her censure to an adjudicator
• if the school board does not take appropriate action to discipline a member when necessary, the minister may direct the board to make a motion
• the minister will retain authority currently under the act to replace an entire board, but with the ability to appoint one or more individuals to act as the board
• any action taken by the minister can only be challenged through the courts
• the term of the board chair will be extended from one year to two years.

A copy of Increasing the Effectiveness of School Board Governance in Nova Scotia: Consultation Report and Recommendations can be viewed at www.ednet.ns.ca.