Deaf Education Centre (503) and Van Asch Deaf Education Centre (519)
Pursuant to section 95 of the Education Act 1989 ("the Act"), I hereby approve the following amended alternative constitution for the combined Board of Trustees of
Kelston Deaf Education Centre (503) and Van Asch Deaf Education Centre (519) (the "Deaf Education Centres"):
Interim Alternative Constitution
- The 6 parent representatives and 1 staff representative (categories (a) and (c) of the substantive alternative constitution) will be those people who were elected under the substantive alternative constitution published in the New Zealand Gazette on 4 October 2012* and took office on 30 November 2012;
- these appointments will be effective from 30 May 2013 until the date of the triennial elections for boards of trustees in 2016;
- if any casual vacancy occurs on the combined board during that time, that vacancy will be filled in accordance with the election process under the substantive alternative constitution;
- all other positions on the board will be in accordance with the substantive alternative constitution; and
- at the triennial elections in 2016 all positions on the board will become vacant and subject to election under the substantive alternative constitution.
Substantive Alternative Constitution
(a) Up to 6 trustees elected by parents of students either enrolled at or who otherwise receive services from the Deaf Education Centres ("Parent Representatives");
(b) the principals of the Deaf Education Centres;
(c) 1 staff representative;
(d) 1 student representative nominated and elected by students either enrolled at or who otherwise receive services from Kelston Deaf Education Centre;
(e) 1 student representative nominated and elected by students either enrolled at or who otherwise receive services from Van Asch Deaf Education Centre; and
(f) Up to 4 trustees co-opted by the board.
Up to 3 of the successful parent representatives must be nominated by parents of students either enrolled at or who otherwise receive services from Kelston Deaf Education Centre.
Up to 3 of the successful parent representatives must be nominated by parents of students either enrolled at or who otherwise receive services from Van Asch Deaf Education Centre.
There will be a single election for parent representatives.
All parents of students either enrolled at or who otherwise receive services from either Deaf Education Centre are eligible to vote. Each parent may vote for up to 3 parent representative candidates nominated in respect of Kelston Deaf Education Centre and up to 3 parent representative candidates nominated in respect of Van Asch Deaf Education Centre (up to 6 votes in total). No more than
the 3 highest polling candidates nominated in respect of each Deaf Education Centre will be elected to the combined board.
The parent representatives and student representatives will be elected in accordance with the Education Act 1989
with necessary modifications to the election process to reflect the specific requirements regarding nomination, election and voter eligibility as set out above.
The current boards of trustees of Kelston Deaf Education Centre and Van Asch Deaf Education Centre will jointly decide upon a date for the first election under this constitution (which took place on 30 November 2012 when the current boards combined) and appoint a returning officer to run the elections. Trustees under this constitution took office on 30 November 2012.
Except as set out in this constitution, all provisions of
the Education Act 1989, and any Regulations made under it, regarding eligibility, casual vacancies, appointments, terms of office and elections apply to the board.
This notice takes effect the day of its publication.
Dated at Wellington this 19th day of December 2012.
HON HEKIA PARATA, Minister of Education.
Explanatory Note
This explanatory note is not part of the notice, but it is intended to indicate its general effect.
The ability of the board to co-opt will be used to ensure
that the views of the deaf community and of Maori are represented on the board.
The deaf community is recognised and respected as a valued partner in the education of deaf children and young people. Deaf people are recognised as a natural community of interest and a cultural resource in relation to deaf students.
The status of Maori as tangata whenua is set out in the Treaty of Waitangi. The education of nga tamariki turi is based on a partnership between the children, their families, the wider whanau and those responsible for provision of services.
Co-options will also take into account any other imbalance of perspective, skill and/or experience that may occur in board membership from time to time.
*New Zealand Gazette, 4 October 2012, No. 122, page 3475