Wanted: Talent For Trusteeship

Wanted: Talent For Trusteeship

Thirteen thousand – it’s the population of Rarotonga – it’s the amount of seats at Jade Stadium. . . and it’s how many people New Zealand needs to govern its schools.

A nationwide trustee search kicked off today at the official School Trustee Elections ‘07 launch at Parliament Buildings in Wellington.

2007 will mark 18 years since the first such elections in 1989 when New Zealand’s concept of inviting parents and the community to govern schools was an international first.

School trustee elections are New Zealand’s biggest democratic event. The 2007 campaign aims to attract candidates to stand for seats on around 2,500 school boards. The theme of this year’s election is “make a difference for our schools”.

Election Project Manager Janet Kelly says schools need people with a mix of skills and experience to stand.

“People from the wider community, including parents, can be nominated for election to a school board. It is important that the board reflects the diversity of its community.”

“New Zealand school students need people with a range of skills and experiences to put their hand up to make a difference for their schools.”

Nominations open on March 1, close on March 15 and voting takes place between March 20 and 29.

The New Zealand School Trustees Association is running the 2007 School Trustee Elections in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

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