Changes to come to NSD governance

Alberta education minister David Eggen says it is not acceptable that Northland School Division has been operating under a government-appointed trustee for five years. “The result has been very disappointing,” Eggen said, speaking at a First Nations, Metis and Inuit education symposium in Edmonton. “It is my intention to work hard that our government will put in place and have proper elections for real trustees to put Northland School Division back on its feet where it belongs.” Eggen didn’t offer details on how this would be accomplished. In 2010, Progressive Conservative education minister David Hancock dismissed the 23-member NSD board and appointed Colin Kelly as trustee. Hancock stated poor student performance, low high school graduation rates, and high turnover among staff and administration as reasons for his decision. Hancock also appointed an inquiry team to come up with recommendations. The report was tabled, community meetings held, but elections for new trustees never took place.