A working group has been assigned to “frame terms of reference that will guide the process for developing recommendations regarding school reorganisation and possible closure”, Minister of Education Wayne Scott told the House of Assembly on Friday.

The working group includes parents, educators, a representative from the board of education and community members, he said.

“This working group, guided by representative stakeholders from the Coalition for Community Activism Bermuda — also known as CCAB — has been working collaboratively with the permanent secretary, acting commissioner of education and the ministry policy analyst,” he said.

“It is intended that the terms of reference will steer the work of a soon-to-be-established School Reorganisation Advisory Committee, also referred to as the Score Committee.”

He said the public consultation process had provided “good” feedback from all the stakeholders.

“The decision I have made allows for significantly more time to extend the process of public consultation and to undertake a more thoughtful and deliberative process before I consider the possible closure of specific schools,” Mr Scott added. The Score Committee will include participants from the Bermuda Union of Teachers, the Bermuda Public Services Union, parents, community members, the Board of Education, and educators in key technical areas such as preschool and or primary school and special education.

The ministry policy analyst and the acting commissioner of education will be involved as ministry representatives. “The current working group has already commenced their meetings and is working on the formulation of the terms of reference,” Mr Scott told the House. “A commitment to students, transparency, integrity, effective communication, as well as further engagement with the community, is being embedded within the terms of reference.”

He said the terms would be available to the public once completed.

• For the full ministerial statement, click on the PDF link under “Related Media”.