April 24, 2013
The following statement was read today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education:
School Board Transition Team Named
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to announce the chair and trustee members of the school board transition committee which will oversee the establishment of one provincial English-language school board, to be in place in September 2013. This committee will further our commitment to build resources in the classroom and deliver services more effectively to students.
Lorne Wheeler, a former educator, school administrator, and Deputy Minister of Education, has been appointed chair of the transition committee. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Wheeler has had more than 35 years of experience as a teacher, a principal, a former president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association, and has held a number of senior executive roles within the Department of Education, including as Deputy Minister. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and a wide range of educational perspectives to this role and I thank him for taking on this assignment.
Mr. Speaker, members of the transition committee also include the chairs and one additional trustee from each of the four current English-language school boards. The committee members are:
- Goronwy Price and Guy Elliott, Labrador School Board;
- Donald Brown and Nada Borden, Western School Board;
- John George and Kim Cheeks, Nova Central School Board; and,
- Milton Peach and George Sheppard, Eastern School Board.
Mr. Speaker, each of these volunteer school board representatives has agreed to assist in the transitioning process to ensure the delivery of educational programs and services to students, teachers and staff will flow smoothly in September. I would ask current board trustees, or others who have ideas as to how to assist in this effort, to make representation to the transition committee.
I am further pleased to note, Mr. Speaker, that the position of CEO for the provincial English-language school board will be advertised this week.
We have much work to do in preparation for September 2013, Mr. Speaker, and I want to sincerely thank the individuals who have agreed to take on this task.