Consultation – Greater Christchurch Education Renewal

Media Release

28 September 2012

Consultation – Greater Christchurch Education Renewal

The boards of schools in greater Christchurch proposed for merger or closure will have until 7 December to carry out consultation with their local communities and report back on the proposals.

The Deputy Secretary for Education, Regional Operations, Katrina Casey, says the chairs of the boards of the 38 schools have received letters today outlining the next steps in the process and the timeframe.

“This is an important part of an ongoing process that’s already seen the greater Christchurch community involved in developing a plan for education renewal following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

“While formal consultation begins for this particular group, we are continuing to work with each of the Learning Community Clusters to shape the nature of education provision within each of those clusters of schools.

“We are also continuing to progress planning for the required repairs of around 40 schools not directly impacted by closure or merger proposals.

“We appreciate this is a difficult time for some schools and communities as they work through the proposals and I assure them every submission will be carefully analysed and assessed.

“The Christchurch Education Renewal Plan is about building a stronger future for education in greater Christchurch, the opportunity to raise achievement levels for our learners well into the future and putting in place the most effective and modern education system that we can for the $1billion investment the Government has committed.”

Ms Casey says the Ministry is offering independent facilitators to support school boards as they undertake consultation and to assist them to write their feedback or submission to the proposal.

“Feedback is due to the Ministry on proposed mergers and closures on 7 December. The deadline for feedback from the two schools who have voluntarily sought closure is 26 October.

“The Ministry will report back all the feedback received and provide advice to the Minister, who will consider it before making decisions on the next step by mid-February next year.

“If a board agrees with the decision on a merger or closure, a final decision is expected at that time. Where there is disagreement, a board will have until 22 March to provide any further reasons why their school should stay open or should not merge.”

Ms Casey says final formal announcements of decisions are expected in early April 2013.

Timeline

Friday 28 September Letters delivered to all schools involved in proposed closures or mergers.

Friday 26 October Feedback due to Ministry from Boards closing voluntarily (this applies to the two schools who have already volunteered to close).

Friday 7 December Feedback due to the Ministry on all proposals for closure or merger.

Friday 8 February Ministry reports to Minister about feedback.

Monday 18 February Minister advises Boards of her decision:

• Where Boards agree to the proposed closure or merger, the Minister can move to make a final decision.
• Where Boards do not agree to the proposed closure or merger, a 28 day response period begins.
• If the Minister agrees to consider an alternative proposal than that consulted on, then consultation on this alternative proposal will take place.

Friday 22 March 28 day response period ends for those Boards wishing to provide information/reasons why their school should stay open or should not merge. Response due to Ministry.

Friday 5 April Minister makes final formal announcements about all closures and mergers, where consultation has been completed.

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