Positions for three assistant directors of cluster boards have been re-advertised eight months after the posts were originally created and publicised.

But the number of posts appears to contradict Government's original plans which were for six clusters around the Island, each with an assistant director.

Cluster boards families of schools each consisting of a middle school and their feeder primary school and pre-school were recommended more than two years ago and this newspaper understands that schools have been involved in informal meetings but nothing formal has been created.

The boards have come under heavy criticism by aided schools — Whitney Institute, St. George's Preparatory, Berkeley Institute and Sandys Secondary — who want to remain self-governing.

Berkeley Institute made representations to the Island's Interim Education Board, which is implementing the reform recommended in the 2007 Hopkins report, to keep its own board of governors. It was told it could do so in November.

Re-instated Minister of Education, El James, said he would be attending meetings to discuss the clusters and said it was "premature" for him to comment.

The advertisement in the Bermuda Sun called for three assistant directors for clusters of middle and primary schools with salaries from $119,478 to $129,536. They were originally advertised in January.

In January, this newspaper reported that the original plan for the clusters was to have one assistant director for each of the six clusters of schools.

But budget cuts ordered by the Ministry of Finance are said to be the reason for the additional jobs being shelved.

The assistant directors would work under the director of educational standards and accountability, a position that has yet to be filled since former director Wendy McDonell was appointed Education Commissioner.

They are expected to be based in schools rather than at Ministry headquarters, with each one having hands-on responsibility for their particular "cluster".

Duties of the posts included providing leadership for the overall management and administration of the separation of the senior schools, managing and supervising all aspects of operations of the cluster schools and providing consultative services to school staff.

Applicants must have a master's degree in education administration and five years minimum in a relevant post in Bermuda schools including three years at a senior management level. The closing date is August 26.

Unanswered questions

These are the questions we asked the Ministry of Education about the transfer exam — and didn't get answers on:

• How many students sat the test on April 17?

• How many passed?

• How many students sat the test in June?

• How many passed?

• How many students sat the test in July at the end of summer school?

• How many passed?

• Can we have a breakdown of which middle schools the 24 students who have to redo their M3 year attend?

• How many of the 24 are girls and how many are boys?

• Have any parents of the 24 students appealed the decision yet?

• If so, how many?

• When were parents first informed about the exam and its significance?

• What plan is in place to assess why the 24 students being held back a year failed the test?