Salisbury School gets best early present
The long battle to save Salisbury School, near Nelson, is won.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins yesterday delivered an early Christmas present to the team at the only national singlesex residential school for girls with intellectual disabilities.
‘‘I have agreed to end the closure process started in June 2016 by the previous government,’’ Hipkins said.
‘‘Salisbury School has been informed of this via letter and email, providing them with certainty leading into the Christmas break.’’
A pleased board of trustees chairman John Kane said the announcement formally closed what had been a prolonged and difficult process that went back to 2012 when former Education Minister Hekia Parata first attempted to close the school but lost the fight in the High Court.
Kane said when he joined the board of the Richmond-based school in 2014, he realised the 2012 court case was not the end of the story.
‘‘The board was well aware that the agenda was to close,’’ he said. ‘‘Minister Parata was very determined on that matter – and we saw her off.’’
In June 2016, Parata announced she had initiated consultation over the school’s future and indicated it could close on January 27. However, she repeatedly delayed an interim decision, leaving the school on tenterhooks when she left office in May.
Parata’s successor, Nikki Kaye, did not make a decision by the September 23 general election.
Just a few weeks before the polls closed, Hipkins, in his role as the Labour Party education spokesman, said a Labour-led gov- ernment would keep Salisbury open.
Yesterday, he delivered on that pledge with talk of a ‘‘sustainable pathway’’ and ‘‘long-term solution’’ for Salisbury.
Kane said many people had backed the school and its fight to stay open including West CoastTasman MP Damien O’Connor, Associate Education Minister with responsibility for students with special needs Tracey Martin, of NZ First, and Tasman mayor Richard Kempthorne.
‘‘There’s so many people who have stayed with us,’’ Kane said.
‘‘Some of the parents have put an enormous amount of time into canvassing for support [and] members of the wider community in Nelson have put in a lot of effort.’’
The board itself had been ‘‘utterly determined and it’s paid off’’.
Kane had high praise for the staff at Salisbury.
‘‘Stoic is the word. The staff have ... stoically stayed at their posts in the most difficult of circumstances.
‘‘So many of them must have felt tempted to look for jobs elsewhere [but] their loyalty to Salisbury was sustained right through. The board’s hugely grateful to the staff.’’
Kane said the board had managed to force the delays to the closure process until the election through complex legal argument around human rights.
The next mission would be to increase the roll and negotiate for the ‘‘best enrolment system’’.
‘‘The sense of mission at Salisbury is quite profound,’’ Kane said.
Hipkins said the ministry had started work on how the school ‘‘moves forward from here’’.
‘‘There are a number of aspects to consider during this process and we want to ensure there is a sustainable pathway for the school.
‘‘As such, we will be working with the school and stakeholders to provide a long-term solution, to be in place as soon as practicable.’’
Kempthorne said he was delighted by Hipkins’ comments.
‘‘I think that is fantastic,’’ the mayor said. ‘‘I’m so pleased for the school and for the girls. ‘‘It’s part of our community.
‘‘I can see what they’re providing is so valuable.’’