Ministry pays for school commissioner

Larry Forbes

The Ministry of Education has agreed to cover most of the costs of installing a commissioner to run Pamapuria School following revelations about its former deputy principal's sexual abuse of pupils.

The school's board of trustees resigned in 2012 following James Parker's arrest, prompting the ministry to appoint commissioner Larry Forbes to run the school 10km south of Kaitaia.

Usually the school is required to cover the commissioner's costs but in this case Mr Forbes said the ministry would pick up the bulk of the $206,000 bill.

"When I end my term here, which is only a few weeks away, this intervention will have cost the school a minimal amount," he said.

"My actual income from working at the school is far below the figure quoted as costs. I feel that this cost is reasonable when calculated across 20 months in what has substantially been full-time work."

Mr Forbes also rejected claims the school was in financial difficulties. The school's finances had been tight at times due to the extraordinary circumstances following Parker's arrest. Cash-flow problems at the end of last year meant an overdraft had to be arranged but that was no longer needed.

Mr Forbes said the school was now in a "good place" with a new principal and a new board of trustees appointed.

At Moerewa School, where a two-year intervention is about to end, the cost to the school is estimated to be nearly $200,000.