The Board met on 31 July and had a full agenda. Our Education Services account manager presented to the Board on the financial status of the school. This was a useful professional development session and was markedly different from the first meeting I had with ESL when I started on the Board 3 years ago. Then, we were in a financially dire situation but thanks to the dedication and determination of Keith and the staff, together with expertise from ESL, our financial situation was arrested and we are in a much better space now.That said, the Government does not fund schools adequately to operate in a flush financial situation, there is never enough money to do everything we want to do and sometimes the bare minimum can be a challenge if there are unplanned, urgent costs. One of these recent urgent remedies has been the addition of heat pumps to our classrooms most in need. There are more heating solutions on the way. We have also had to remedy asbestos in the metal work area, repair lino, ceilings and leaks. We have spent money on the less obvious but essential property matters such as electrical work, drainage and window replacement. Any vandalism repairs are an unexpected expense that must come from our pot of money. There is more property work planned, but it will most likely fall in the invisible category for most people. Concurrent to this project work, is a major planning phase for the future of the class spaces. This process is drawn out and slow, we are at the behest of Ministry property, it cannot move fast enough for us. We are fortunate to be working with Ministry contacts who are advocating on our behalf, as are our local contractors Opus. We want to reiterate to our community that, together with Mr Buntting, we have been working on our property issues for over two years. The process does not allow us to just go out and spend the money (we would if we could!), the money sits with the Ministry and we must apply, through our planning consultants Opus, to access that money. There is good sense in having a process as most Principals and Boards are not property experts, however, not having full control of that aspect of our school can be frustrating.All the very best to our students who are putting themselves forward for the Student Representative to the Board elections. This is an excellent opportunity for you to experience governance first hand. You get to understand how we deliver on our responsibilities as kaitiaki for our school and its community. We are a friendly bunch, and we welcome your contribution.

Julie Yeoman, Board Chair