Consultations on the school review process will begin in December and a slate of public meetings is planned for January.

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey made the announcement today, Nov.

26, and released a discussion paper for the consultations.

A consultations committee, headed by Robert Fowler, will gather input from the public, school advisory councils, school boards, the teachers’ union, municipalities and others.

“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 Amherst, Berwick, Bridgewater, Halifax Regional Municipality, Port Hawkesbury, Sydney, Truro and Yarmouth. The locations and dates are being finalized and will be announced in December.

With 34 years of experience in the civil service, Mr. Fowler will bring leadership and extensive experience to the committee. He has been deputy minister to the premier, head of the Nova Scotia public service and clerk of the Executive Council, mayor of Bridgetown, and headed the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency. In 2011, he received the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service.

Mr. Fowler and a local representative of the consultations committee will attend each meeting. The committee will provide input to develop recommendations. Mr. Fowler will also reconvene the discussion paper committee members to help. Recommendations will be given to Ms. Casey by Feb. 28.

The consultations committee will begin by gathering input from interested groups in December.

More information, the discussion paper and the schedule of meetings, can be found at www.ednet.ns.ca/schoolreviewprocess . People can also make submissions through the website, e-mail or regular mail.

Source: Release