Pursuant to section 105A of the Education Act 1989,
("the Act"), I hereby approve the following constitution for the board of trustees of the Blind and Low Vision Education Network of New Zealand ("BLENNZ"):
- Up to one trustee elected by parents of students enrolled at the Homai campus school (parent elected trustee);
- four trustees elected by parents of students who are not enrolled with, but who receive services from, BLENNZ through a Visual Resource Centre ("VRC elected trustees");
- the principal of BLENNZ;
- one trustee elected by the staff of BLENNZ;
- one trustee appointed by the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand ("ABC");
- one trustee appointed by a panel of representatives of recognised kapo Maori organisations; and
- board co-opted trustees, provided that the number of parent elected trustees and VRC elected trustees is greater than the total number of co-opted and appointed trustees. (This could be used to include student representation and to address any imbalance of perspective, skill and/or experience that may occur in board membership from time to time.)
The appointment, election or co-option of a trustee may be for a term not exceeding three years.
The term of office of the trustees on the board and the process for fixing triennial election dates will be in accordance with sections 101 and 102 of the Act.
In addition, all relevant provisions under Part 9 of the Act and the Sixth Schedule of the Act with regard to the election of trustees will apply.
The parent elected trustees will be elected in accordance with sections 96(2) and 101 of the Act and the Education (School Trustees Election) Regulations 2000 ("Election Regulations").
The VRC elected trustees will be elected in accordance
with the Election Regulations. Only parents of students who are not enrolled with, but who receive services from, BLENNZ through a VRC would be eligible to vote in the election and nominate candidates.
The staff elected trustee will be elected in accordance
with sections 97(1) and 101 of the Act and the Election Regulations.
For the first elections and any subsequent elections for a parent elected trustee, VRC elected trustees and a staff elected trustee, a returning officer will be appointed by the board of trustees and will carry out the duties in accordance with the Election Regulations.
Casual vacancies for elected trustees which arise in accordance with section 104 of the Act will be filled
in accordance with section 105 of the Act.
The appointment of appointed trustees is solely at the discretion of the appointing bodies.
Vacancies for appointed trustees must be notified promptly by the board to the appointing bodies and such vacancies will be filled by appointment in the same manner as the vacating trustee was appointed for the residue of the term of the vacating trustee.
Trustees elected and appointed to the first board established under section 105A of the Act will take office on Friday,
26 June 2009.
Dated at Wellington this 1st day of February 2009.
HON ANNE TOLLEY, Minister of Education.