New Zealand School Trustees Association
Memorandum: 2007/13
School:
Chair:
(where no email is indicated then the memo is sent via principal)
Principal:
(please advise any changes to above addresses)
From: Colin Davies, NZSTA, Manager Service Delivery (cdavies@nzsta.org.nz)
Date: 17 February 2016
Subject: Staffing and Decile Notices
Purpose: This memo advises boards on the recent notice from the Ministry of Education
regarding the provisional notices for staffing in 2008 and the associated decile changes..
Background: At this time of year the Ministry normally issues advice to boards on the staffing for
the next year (2008), the difference this time is that for primary and area schools the introduction
of the 1:18 ratio from term 2 next year meant that there were 2 differing staffing levels identified in
the staffing notices, this had been sought by the sector groups in order to ensure boards and
principals were fully aware of the likely changes and could plan accordingly. Further information
was also supplied to those who may have had property changes to their “learning spaces” as a
result of the new staffing.
The other, and perhaps more significant notice was in regard to the decile changes. Deciles are
reassessed after each Census to take account of the latest Census information. Normally this
would be introduced following consultation with the sector groups on managing the impact of
change, but that did not occur this time.
Staffing changes: Further information about staffing can be found in Chapter 2 of the Funding,
Staffing and Allowances handbook http://www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/resourcinghandbook.
Where a reduction of staffing and/or units is identified the process must be done in accordance
with the relevant Collective Agreement (i.e. either a needs analysis for primary or CAPNA for
secondary) which outlines the process that must be followed. You should discuss this with your
NZSTA Adviser in the first instance.
Whilst the principal will engage and consult with the appropriate union as the process proceeds
(they do have experience in such matters and will contribute to the process) we do recommend
that you do not act solely on their “advice”. We have in the past had serious difficulty in obtaining
the relevant resourcing from the Ministry where boards or principals have acted on the advice of
the union without seeking independent advice and that has proved costly for the board. Its
always best to get confirmation from the Ministry first to ensure you will be funded on staffing
decisions. This should be through the Resourcing Group in National Office rather than through
your regional office.
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Any queries check out www.nzsta.org.nz or call 0800 STAhelp
In those schools effected by the 1:18 ratio there was a reduction in the 1st term but subsequent
changes for the rest of the year may mean this has been partially redressed. Depending on your
circumstances there may be a number of options available to you i.e. attrition, banking staffing,
seeking additional support from the Ministry. You may need to do an “Environmental Scan” of the
risks associated with your option/decisions (check out the resourcing handbook – part 2).
Decile Changes: This has added a further complication to boards, especially where they face
the double impact of reduction of staffing with the reduction in Operational Funding. Because
there has been no consultation we are only now starting to assess the impacts, at the NZEI
Annual Meeting this week the Minister expressed some concern (he actually used much stronger
language) that consultation had not occurred and indicated that for those seriously effected
discussions may occur on some transitional arrangements. We are following this up.
If you face the possibility of funding reductions then this will now need to form part of your
considerations about the staffing implications. It appears that approximately one third had a
decrease, one third remained the same and the remaining third had an increase.
Principals Salary: A further impact may be on the principals salary where changes to either the
U grade or decile level may alter the remuneration paid. The provisions of the relevant Collective
Agreement set this out and the requirements to follow (with the protections available to the
principal). There is also a section in part 2 of the resourcing handbook.
Again discuss this with your NZSTA Adviser if you are effected.
Colin Davies
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Any queries check out www.nzsta.org.nz or call 0800 STAhelp