Back in Term 1 I attended the South East Regional Conference in Canberra & heard directly from our colleagues in the Far South Coast about the HR salary tool trial they were involved in and the litany of issues that had arisen. I passed these on to the DoE and expected the issues would be addressed. The tool was rolled out to the Corporate sector and then just before the end of Term 2 there was a further rollout #3. Another disastrous roll out that had a huge impact on our schools – SAMs & principals alike.

Vice President Ian Reeson and Deputy President Robyn Evans led a spirited campaign to halt the roll out to the next 1100 schools until the support, PL and processes were clear. We involved Federation as casuals weren’t getting paid and had meetings with the Project Leader & Deputy Secretary Peter Riordan in an attempt to support Roll out 3 schools, ensure Ed Connect knew how to support schools and “fix the tool” before it went even further. In the end we sought the Minister’s intervention, which thankfully put a moratorium on the roll out until November 8. DEL Glen Patterson and retired principal Peter Miles are now working on supporting the training of Groups 1 and 3 and developing support for the rest of us.

We apologise to the schools that were getting prepared for the next roll out, but in the end this is a better result as the DoE move to support those schools in Roll out 1 and 3 and prepare for better implementation for the next 1100 schools.

This is another example where schools haven’t been involved in the final governance decisions a fact we have re-inforced in our discussions with the Secretary & Minister in the last fortnight. We will continue to push for greater involvement in the governance of key initiatives and PCG/ PCB (project Control Group or Boards) membership so the voice of schools is heard.