Anne Tolley

Wellington, Jan 20 NZPA - Education Minister Anne Tolley has ordered a commissioner to replace the board of trustees of Selwyn College after a critical Education Review Office report.

Mrs Tolley decided to dissolve the board and directed the Secretary of Education Karen Sewell to appoint a commissioner to replace it.

The ERO report recommended increased intervention. In 2007 a specialist adviser, Collene Roche, was appointed to assist the board.

Ms Sewell has appointed Ms Roche as commissioner as of Thursday. Ms Roche will hold all functions, powers and duties of the board, Ms Sewell said.

The school was previously at the centre of a spat between National and Labour.

In opposition, National MP Allan Peachey apologised for writing a an e-mail to the college's co-principal, Carol White, declining an invitation to the school's prizegiving and saying: "Yes, I do have a knife in your back, so be careful".

Education Minister Steve Maharey accused him of running a campaign against the college.

The ERO report found education quality, governance, and community engagement needed to be improved.

Ms Roche was principal at Carmel College, on Auckland's North Shore, for 12 years and chaired the Auckland Secondary Principals' Association for two years.

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