Support from the Regional School Board

The operation of the education system in Nova Scotia has been entrusted to regional school boards. The Strait Regional School Board currently administers all aspects of education in Margaree, including staffing, school facilities and services. Many of these services require economies of scale for the sake of efficiency and effectiveness. Transportation, special needs services, bulk purchase of materials and contracted services are more economically provided by regional administrations. In addition, technology-based programming, such as distance education, is only feasible when delivered regionally, and may best be delivered provincially or even nationally and internationally.

The success of the Community-Operated Public School requires support from the regional school board. Arrangements for student conveyance in the Strait Region are among the best in the Province in terms of safety and cost. Therefore, during the pilot period, conveyance for the students of the Community-Operated Public School would be contracted from the Strait Regional School Board. Student access to the speech and hearing pathologist, school psychologist and student health services and programs would also be contracted from the school board. School supplies, text-books and library resources would be purchased in concert with the board and the Department of Education.

Furthermore, the Strait Region has been innovative in the development and marketing of distance education. Distance programs will be an important means of enhancing curriculum in the Community-Operated Public School; therefore, desired programs will be purchased through the board and integrated with the school timetable. In addition, arrangements will be made to allow interested students to attend particular classes in other schools in the region.