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Education
April 24, 2013

School Board Transition Committee Named

Lorne Wheeler, a former educator, school administrator, and Deputy Minister of Education, has been appointed chair of a transition committee which will oversee the consolidation of the province’s four English-language school boards.

“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,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education. “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.”

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:

“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,” said Minister Jackman. “The formation of this committee, and the work of this committee, will further our commitment to put the maximum available resources where they belong – in our schools, and in our classrooms, for the benefit of students. 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.”

Minister Jackman further noted that the position of CEO for the provincial English-language school board will be advertised this week.

Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future makes provision for one English-language school board in Newfoundland and Labrador, with corporate and financial services headquartered in St. John’s. Current school board offices in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Corner Brook and Gander will, however, remain open. These regional offices will be staffed with executive, management and staff who will be the day-to-day decision-makers on issues specifically related to educational programming and related services to students and teachers. Education-related services provided to staff, students and their families will continue to be offered in the regional areas, as they have been in the past.

Minister Jackman noted that since 2004, when school board administration was last consolidated, enrolment has declined by about 14,000 students – or 17 per cent. By way of comparison, Provincial Government investment in education has increased by 42 per cent, which represents increased investment in teaching services, educational programming, school infrastructure and more.

“We are proud to be making these investments for the future of our children, and our society,” said Minister Jackman. “But even if there had been no fiscal challenge this year, it would have been necessary to examine the school board administrative structures and supports we have in place to serve our reduced student population. I look forward to getting the new provincial board and school district structure finalized so that we are ready in September to continue to offer our students the high quality programming and supports they need and deserve.”

Biographical information for Mr. Wheeler is provided in the backgrounder below.

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca 

BACKGROUNDER
Biographical Information

Lorne Wheeler
Mr. Wheeler was born in Greenspond, Bonavista Bay, and has extensive experience in the education system in this province. He earned bachelor degrees in education and history from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Mr. Wheeler taught high school history and occupied a number of high school administrative positions for 25 years. He was President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association, Director of School Services for the province, Assistant Deputy Minister for Primary, Elementary and Secondary Education and Deputy Minister of Education. Mr. Wheeler was named an honorary member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association in 1990 and an honorary member of the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association in 2001. He also served as the Chair of the Board of Regents, Memorial University (2004-2006).

2013 04 24                             2:30 p.m.

 
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