More commissioners and limited statutory managers appointed by the Ministry of Education are intervening in Northland schools than in any other region this year.
Cost has also arisen as a concern, with Moerewa School paying their commissioner more than $150,000 in fees and expenses in the year to April 2013. Eight commissioners and five limited statutory managers are in Northland schools, where the Ministry of Education believes there is risk to the operation of the schools, student achievement or to student welfare and safety.
Nationally there are 26 schools with commissioners and 46 with limited statutory managers.
A limited statutory manager is appointed to take control of some of the authorities of the Board of Trustees while working alongside them and the principal.
The New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) is calling for an independent inquiry into the process, and the Green Party is saying the Ministry, not the schools, should foot the bill for the work. Moerewa School has had commissioner Mike Eru at the school from April 2012, and in the year to April 2013 he was paid $150,000 from the school. Mr Eru has been at Moerewa School for 18 months, and his salary for a year cost the school $900 per student. The school role is 160.