KEY POINTS:
The government has come under fire over the length of time temporary managers have been left to help run dozens of schools.
Figures released to National Party education spokeswoman Anne Tolley reveal three schools have had limited statutory managers (LSM) for more than three years - with one in place for more than five years.
The Education Minister can appoint an LSM when the operation of a school, student welfare or learning are at risk. A school cannot refuse the appointment.
The Government figures reveal 41 schools have LSMs, often paid for from their budgets.
They cost schools about $700,000 in the year to June 30. Schools foot the bill but the ministry may reimburse all or part of the cost.
Te Aute College, a decile three school in Hawke's Bay, has the longest period with an LSM, 1930 days since June 2003.
The current appointment, Ken Wilson, did not return Herald on Sunday calls but the school has had problems with bullying and violence.
Education Minister Chris Carter said that appointing an LSM was "not a quick fix" and the decision was rarely taken.
When it came to the length of time an LSM was in place, he said Te Aute was an "exceptional case" because more than one had been appointed and each had different responsibilities.
Far North decile one school Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rangi Aniwaniwa has had the second-longest LSM period - 1685 days since February 2004.
Eddie Aickin has managed the school's finances and property since taking over from the previous LSM in 2005. The chartered accountant said the school was suffering financial difficulties when he was asked to step in by the Ministry of Education.
"The goal is to get in, fix the problems, provide training necessary to minimise the potential for the problems to recur, and to get out."
But he admitted he "didn't expect it to last this long".
The contract is renewed annually by the ministry and was extended this year to cover a planned capital works programme.
Aickin had worked with the board to reduce costs and improve the school's financial management, with "fantastically successful" results.
Third on the list is Aranui High in Christchurch.
The school struck financial difficulty in 2004 when it took out a $900,000 bank loan to pay for a $1.8 million performing arts centre.
Next comes Kelston Intermediate in Auckland, where Joan Titman has been in place for 1027 days since December 2005.
She was appointed after an Education Review Office report cited problems with the school's governance.
Titman declined to reveal how much she cost the school but said her charges were at "the lower end of the recommendation".
She initially worked about 10 hours a week but said her role was being scaled down and she expected to leave by halfway through next year.
Of the 41 schools, 30 have a decile rating of three or below, meaning they are at the poorer end of the spectrum. None have a decile rating higher than seven.
Carter said factors such as roll size, isolation and decile made some schools "more susceptible to needing intervention" but the sample was too small to draw any conclusions.
Schools with LSMs are reviewed by ERO, but spokeswoman Jenny Clark said they did not assess the length of time they were in place and whether they should stay.
The figures were released after Tolley submitted a written question to Carter.
She said the length of some appointments was concerning.
Tolley said having an LSM for five- and-a-half years was "outrageous" and the overall situation would have to be addressed if National won the election.
"It just seems that some schools have had a statutory manager appointed and then been forgotten."
