City school seeking way out of financial trouble

The Ministry of Education has stepped in to help a Palmerston North school break even after a series of deficits.

A financial recovery plan has been launched for Mana Tamariki after the school outspent its income two years in a row.

Board of trustees chairwoman Leanne Clayton supplied a statement prepared by whanau and the board.

‘‘The kura is working with the Ministry of Education and a specialist adviser to ensure that the kura is financially viable.’’

Ministry of Education deputy secretary of sector enablement and support Katrina Casey said the ministry had not ‘‘formally intervened’’, but was providing educational and financial advice to Mana Tamariki’s board of trustees.

The Maori immersion school topped the list of Manawatu regional schools that posted an operating deficit in 2015, with $206,027 more going out than coming in, and saved funds of just $23,348 at the end of the year.

The school’s deficit in 2014 was $155,683. The school’s 2016 report is currently being audited.

Mana Tamariki caters for children from preschool through to the end of high school. It was started as a kohanga reo in 1989, and a home-schooled kura opened in 1995.

In 2010, the school opened a new $3 million building in Grey St.

Staff and board of trustee members did not respond directly to questions about the reasons behind the financial issues, and its plans to tackle the problems.

The school also reported deficits in 2010 of $35,907, 2008 of $134,796 and 2006 of $58,470, figures supplied by the Ministry of Education showed.

In 2015, almost 40 per cent of Manawatu schools outspent their income, ministry data shows.

Reasons given included the need for more support staff, depreciation and maintenance work, and costs associated with providing opportunities at isolated rural schools.

The next highest operating deficits in Manawatu for 2015 were Lytton Street School, of Feilding, $96,443; Levin School, $84,364; Levin North School $75,622; and Taihape Area School, $73,903.