Public meetings for the consultation on the school review process will begin in January and the schedule is now available.

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey announced the consultation and released a discussion paper on Nov.

26.

“School reviews have been challenging for families and communities. We want a full discussion on a solution that works for all – students, families, school boards and communities,” said Ms. Casey.

Regional public meetings will be held in:

— Sydney, Jan. 6
— Port Hawkesbury, Jan. 7
— Truro, Jan. 9
— Bridgewater, Jan. 13
— Yarmouth, Jan. 14
— Berwick, Jan. 15
— Amherst, Jan. 20
— Dartmouth, Jan. 21
— Halifax (CSAP), Jan. 22

All public meetings will be from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

A consultations committee, headed by Robert Fowler, has begun to gather input from the public, school advisory councils, school boards, the teachers’ union, and municipalities to develop recommendations that will be given to Ms. Casey by Feb. 28.

This month, Mr. Fowler met with the Nova Scotia School Board Association, Council on Mi’kmaq Education, and received public feedback on-line.

Mr. Fowler and a local representative of the consultations committee will attend each public meeting in January.

The public meeting schedule, locations, and more information on the consultation process and the discussion paper can be found at www.ednet.ns.ca/schoolreviewprocess .

Submissions can also be made through the website, e-mail or regular mail.

Source: Release