School boards need people like you

JOHN BISSET/Timaru Herald

STRONG LEADERS NEEDED: Tracy Tierney is encouraging people to stand for the upcoming board of trustees elections. Ms Tierney has been on the Waimataitai School board for nine years and is stepping down as chairwoman this year.

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South Canterbury schools need 200 people to stand in the upcoming board of trustees elections this year.

The event is held every three years and this is the eighth election since the introduction of self-managing schools in 1989.

More than 15,000 people are needed for boards around the country.

Waimataitai School board of trustees chairwoman Tracy Tierney has been on the board for nine years and is stepping down this year, even though her children finished at the school a year ago.

"I couldn't let it go then. I thought I'd see through my term."

Ms Tierney, a financial planner, said her advice to people thinking of standing in this year's elections was to "put aside your own personal agenda".

"It's important to think about the whole. Also, ask lots and lots of questions.

"There's no such thing as a dumb question."

Ideal trustees would have good communication skills, be good at managing people and have some knowledge around finance, she said.

"But they don't need to come into it with a lot of knowledge about education.

"They just need to be confident and be able to ask questions."

Ms Tierney said one of her highlights was receiving a letter from Education Minister Anne Tolley congratulating the school on its recent Education Review Office report.

In the letter, "effective governance" was named as one of the reasons for its success, she said.

Another Timaru chairman, Craig O'Connor, is also stepping down, after nine years on the St Joseph's School board.

"Like most trustees, I got involved because I was asked and had my children at the school.

"That is also linked to why I'm stepping down – my youngest child is in his last year.

"I've had three boys through the school.

"I think having a turnover of trustees is not a bad thing, you don't want to get too stale and stuck in your ways.

"New blood is always a good thing."

Across the country, nine election co-ordinators will work with schools and communities in 11 regions to ensure people come forward to stand as school trustees.

About 60 per cent of current trustees are looking to stand for another three-year term.

Nominations will be called by April 9 and will close at noon on April 23. For most schools, voting will close at noon on May 7 and the results will be announced on May 13.

- © Fairfax NZ News