Today the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Education, provided an update on the plan for integrating the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD) under the Department of Education.

The minister outlined an approach that prioritizes investments in the classroom over administration, featuring centralized governance and school-based decision making that will allow for a more flexible and responsive approach to school governance.

The outlined changes would occur in two stages. In the first stage, occurring this Fall, proposed changes include:

• Creating a smaller interim board that will oversee continued operations during the transition period, and which will have an additional mandate to assist in the transition of the NLESD into the Department of Education; and
• Appointing a transition team that will work with current NLESD leadership, the Department of Education and the interim board to oversee the integration process.

Both the interim board and the transition team would report to the Minister of Education. Appointments to the interim board and the transition team would be finalized in the coming weeks.

The new interim board would replace the existing Board of Trustees, however government intends to appoint a select number of current trustees to the new board. Today Minister Osborne thanked the current trustees for their service, including their extended service beyond the typical term, which was temporarily extended amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

If the proposed amendments to the Schools Act, 1997 are passed, the changes to the board will take effect shortly after the bill receives Royal Assent

In the second stage, occurring in the lead up to September 2022, the Provincial Government intends to:

• Establish a public schools branch that is responsible for providing direct services to students currently managed by the NLESD; and
• Expand the role of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of School Councils to act in an advisory role to government, bringing the perspective of parents across the province directly to the school system.

As the NLESD is transitioned into the department as a public schools branch, there will be opportunities for shared services and operational efficiencies.

Minister Osborne was joined at today’s announcement by current NLESD CEO and Director of Education Tony Stack, NLESD Board of Trustees Chair Goronwy Price and NL Federation of School Council’s President Don Coombs, all of whom are supporting the department to ensure a successful and productive transition.

Quotes
“The changes we are announcing today will modernize our K-12 school system, and will help ensure our significant investments in education and the resulting academic outcomes are aligned. This approach will allow for a more flexible and responsive approach to the governance of schools while also respecting the experience and expertise of school administrators.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Education

“With over 25 years as a volunteer in the Newfoundland and Labrador K-12 system, my primary focus has always been on improving education for students. I am proud of the NLESD’s successes and the work of the Board of Trustees. I look forward to this new chapter and to building on our successes to improve educational outcomes for our students.”
Goronwy Price
Chair, Newfoundland and Labrador English School District Board of Directors

“We are looking forward to our new advisory role and continuing to support school councils, students and parents. This expanded advisory role recognizes the value of involving parents in the education system, and will provide them with an opportunity to have meaningful input. Parental engagement in education is critical to the enhancement of a student’s academic success and well-being.”
Don Coombs
President, NL Federation of School Councils

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Media contacts
Tina Coffey
Education
709-729-1906, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca

Cheryl Gullage
Newfoundland and Labrador English School District
709-758-0032
cherylgullage@nlesd.ca