Clare Curran
MP for Dunedin South

17 February 2012

Community ‘in limbo’ about school’s future

Dunedin South MP Clare Curran says it appears that poor communication by those charged with sorting out Rotary Park School’s issues have led to further uncertainty about its future.

“The School started Term 1 in turmoil, with parents bringing their children to school not knowing what was ahead.” Clare Curran said.

“The Commissioner was appointed to sort things out, and has responsibilities to keep in touch with parents and tell them what was happening to their school,” Dunedin South MP Clare Curran said today.

“Now we see that Commissioner writing to the Minister soon after the school opened for Term 1 questioning its viability. This could appear that it is a predetermined strategy from Rotary Park School.

“There are clear issues that can be put down to the lack of communication from the Commissioner to parents.” Clare Curran said.

“Problems surfaced between the teachers and the principal last year, and that was the time when these problems should have been resolved.

“There are a number of unanswered questions about the handling of this situation; leaving them to fester has just made the situation worse, and there was no one taking a leadership role to ensure that the difficulties were in fact resolved,” Dunedin South MP Clare Curran said.

“I have written to the Minister and I have made a number of attempts to contact the Ministry but they have been ignored.

“The community deserves to know if this situation could have been avoided and whether it is simply incompetence or deliberate strategy that these parents are left in limbo about their school’s future.

“Rotary Park School is a fine school and the community and children deserve better.” Clare Curran said today.

ENDS

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