Mediator for Stokes Valley appointed
Mediator for Stokes Valley appointed
Former
Chief Executive Officer of Education New Zealand and
education consultant Lester Taylor is to be the independent
mediator for the school network review in Stokes
Valley.
"Local MP Paul Swain, who has been leading the consultation on mediation, has contacted me to say Lester Taylor is the preferred choice of the schools, and I have agreed to their recommendation," Education Minister Trevor Mallard said today.
Lester Taylor is available to start on the mediation process immediately.
"I am confident that he will work through the process thoroughly, carefully and quickly so final decisions can be made to end the uncertainty," Trevor Mallard said.
"I am still keen to make my final decision on the Stokes Valley review in early April.
"The longer schools have to get on with the job, and prepare and plan for the implementation of any changes in time for the start of the 2005 school year, the better it will be for all concerned.
"But let me stress that I will
not make any final decisions until I receive the mediator’s
recommendations," Trevor Mallard
said.