Blenheim lawyer to return belief in school

The Education Ministry has appointed an experienced troubleshooter to help Rai Valley Area School's board of trustees.

Blenheim lawyer Murray Hunt was appointed as a specialist adviser to the board on August 2. He will focus on employment matters.

Mr Hunt said he was not a commissioner and had not been appointed to run the school or replace the board.

Rai Valley Area School has been caught up in controversy, with a public apology made to the school's former head librarian, Faye Leov, in May.

The apology saw the board acknowledge that Mrs Leov's "health and wellbeing had suffered significantly as a result of events that the board are responsible for, and that her reputation has been damaged".

Mr Hunt said that since his appointment last month, he had been getting to know the board and the school.

His brief is:

A review of policies with regard to historical matters.

Ensuring adequate professional development and understanding of roles and responsibilities by the board and senior staff.

Dealing with any emerging employment issues.

Supporting the board in developing an action plan to enable it to regain the confidence of the wider community.

Mr Hunt is no stranger to troubleshooting. He was one of two statutory managers at Marlborough Boys' College in 2009 after the school ran up a $1 million-plus debt and a failed school venture in China.

He was also appointed to the board of the troubled Tasman Rugby Union in 2009.

- © Fairfax NZ News