The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Education, today announced the appointment of members of the interim board and the transition team that will oversee the integration of the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD) under the Department of Education.
On November 4, changes were made to the School’s Act, 1997, to allow for the creation of a new interim board that will replace the existing board of trustees. This new board will take on the oversight of continued operations during the transition period, but will also have an additional mandate to assist in the transition of the NLESD into the Department of Education.
The appointments to the new interim board include four trustees from the previous board, including the chair, as well as two representatives from the Provincial Government:
- Goronwy Price, chairperson;
- Steve Tessier;
- John George;
- Jean Butt;
- Greg O’Leary, Deputy Minister of Education; and
- Michelle Jewer, Deputy Minister of Finance.
To assist with the transition, the minister is also appointing a transition team that will work with current NLESD leadership, the Department of Education and the interim board to oversee the integration process. The appointees to the transition team include:
- Robert Gardiner, team lead;
- Eldred Barnes; and
- Tony Stack.
Biographical information for all appointees is included in the backgrounder below.
The interim board and the transition team will work to bring about the changes in the second stage of the transition, including establishing a public schools branch that is responsible for providing direct services to students currently managed by the NLESD.
As the NLESD is transitioned into the department as a public schools branch, there will be opportunities for shared services and operational efficiencies.
Quote
“I want to once again thank the outgoing School Board Trustees who dedicated their time and experience to the operations of our schools, and I want to thank those trustees who are continuing on with this interim board. Together, the interim board and the transition team will help oversee a productive and successful transition that prioritizes the needs of students and will put our K-12 system in the best position to succeed.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Education
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BACKGROUNDER
Biographies of Interim Board Members and Transition Team Members
Goronwy Price
Since 2011, Goronwy Price has been a trustee with the NL English School Board, Zone 2 (Labrador), including as Chair since 2016. This followed seven years with the Labrador School Board from 2005 to 2011, including as Chair from 2007 to 2011. Mr. Price has been the CEO and General Manager of the Goose Bay Airport Authority since 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Physical Education from Memorial University, and completed the Executive Development Program from Memorial University in 2003.
Steve Tessier
Since 2019, Steve Tessier has been a trustee with the NL English School Board, Zone 17 (Avalon). He is a Founding Partner with Waterwerks Communications Inc., a strategy and digital communications technology company, a member of the board of advisors of the Teacher Certification Committee, and a former Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councillor with the Town of Conception Bay South from 2009 to 2017. Mr. Tessier was the Newfoundland and Labrador representative on the National Board of the Heart and Stroke Foundation where he was on the Board development, mergers and transitions committee.
John George
Since 2013, John George has been a trustee with the NL English School Board, Zone 8 (Central). This followed eight years as a trustee with the former Nova Central School from 2003 to 2013, including as Chair from 2009 to 2013. Mr. George spent over 30 years in the education profession prior to his retirement in 2003, including leadership roles as vice principal and principal. He holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from Memorial University.
Jean Butt
Since 2020, Jean Butt has been a trustee with the NL English School Board, Zone 11 (Central). Ms. Butt has extensive volunteer experience in school communities and in her communities, including roles as school council chair with Anthony Paddon Elementary from 2007 to 2017 and as school council co-chair with Heritage Collegiate from 2015 to present. Ms. Butt has been Chair of the Heritage Collegiate Ballfield Construction Committee since 2019 and a Flying Blades Skating Club Executive, Synchro Program Coordinator since 2012. Ms. Butt holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education from Memorial University.
Dr. Greg O’Leary
Dr. Greg O’Leary was appointed as Deputy Minister of Education in December 2020. Dr. O’Leary has over 23 years of experience in education in Newfoundland and Labrador, and has a substantive and unique background in the educational field, with significant experience in research and academia. Prior to joining the Provincial Government, he worked in a variety of teaching and leadership capacities in the K-12 educational system, in addition to over a decade of experience as an instructor and researcher at the university level at both Memorial University and the University of Toronto. He carried out three nationally-funded studies involving this province’s education system, including comparative work with other jurisdictions. Dr. O’Leary holds Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Bachelor of Education degrees from Memorial University, as well as a Master’s of Arts and a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto.
Michelle Jewer
Michelle Jewer was appointed as Deputy Minister of Finance in September 2021. Ms. Jewer joined the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2000 at the Office of the Auditor General. Since that time, she has held several financial leadership positions in government across various departments including the Departments of Education, Health and Community Services, Finance and Treasury Board Secretariat. Ms. Jewer has held the position of Comptroller General and her most recent role prior to being named Deputy Minister was the Secretary to the Treasury Board (Acting) with the Treasury Board Secretariat. Ms. Jewer holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Co-operative) from Memorial University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.
Robert Gardiner
Robert Gardiner joined the Department of Education in September 2001 after a 14 year teaching career. In April 2013, Mr. Gardiner was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister for Post-Secondary Education with the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour and in March 2017, Mr. Gardiner was appointed Deputy Minister of Education, a position he held until retirement in October 2020. During his time as Deputy Minister for Education, Mr. Gardiner also served, in an acting capacity, as Deputy Minister for Advanced Education, Skills and Labour. Mr. Gardiner holds a Master’s Degree in Education, a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Education from Memorial University.
Eldred Barnes
Eldred Barnes has almost 44 years of experience in education in Newfoundland and Labrador. He has been a teacher in both rural and urban schools, school administrator, a district level program specialist, Department of Education curriculum development specialist, and university-level instructor. Since September 2017, Mr. Barnes has held the position of Associate Deputy Minister of Education, and leads the implementation of the Education Action Plan. Prior to this, he served as Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of School System Administrators. Mr. Barnes holds Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, and Masters of Education degrees from Memorial University.
Tony Stack
A native of St. John’s with roots on the Burin Peninsula and in Petty Harbour, Mr. Stack has 37 years of experience in the Newfoundland and Labrador education system as a teacher, Vice-Principal, Principal, Senior Education Officer, Assistant Director of Education (Programs), Assistant Director of Education (Operations), and as Associate Director of Education (Programs and Operations). Mr. Stack is currently the Director/CEO of NLESD, a position he has held since April 2017. He has a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Education and a Masters in Education (Leadership), all from Memorial University.