Stand For Election As A Trustee

media release
8 March 2007

Serve Your Local School: Stand For Election As A Trustee

Maxim Institute CEO, Greg Fleming, is urging New Zealanders to put their names forward to stand in the upcoming elections for School Boards of Trustees.

“Contrary to what many people think, you don’t have to be parent of a pupil to stand for election to the Board. Anyone can be a candidate, as long as a parent of a pupil nominates you and you meet the eligibility criteria”, says Greg Fleming.

Nominations opened on 1 March 2007. Only eight days remain for the public to get their nomination form in, with nominations closing on 15 March.

“As a parent, and a Trustee myself, I know how important community involvement in education is” says Greg Fleming. “I urge all New Zealanders to consider how they can make a contribution to their local school and to their children’s education.”

“School Trustees perform a vital public service, managing, governing and caring for our schools. Without parental involvement, schools are immeasurably poorer” says Fleming.

“Maxim Institute has always been a strong advocate for greater parental involvement in education. Under the current schooling system, standing for election as a Trustee is one of the most powerful ways parents can be involved, have their say, and make a positive contribution to their local school”, says Greg Fleming.

According to the School Trustees Association, our schools need around 13,000 people to become trustees. “I hope parents and Kiwis keen to serve their school will put their names forward for election”, concludes Fleming.

The “Take Action” page on Maxim Institute’s website www.maxim.org.nz has a range of helpful information about standing for election to School Boards of Trustees, including answers to requently asked questions.

Nomination forms and further information can be downloaded from the New Zealand School Trustees Association website: www.nzsta.org.nz

ENDS

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