HALIFAX - The Nova Scotia government has introduced legislation outlining a new review process for school closures.
Under the changes, prompted by recommendations from a public review committee led by Robert Fowler, school boards would be required to develop a long-range regional plan for schools that includes groups of schools identified for review.
A local school review committee would conduct reviews of each group of schools and examine what they believe are the best solutions with the help of an independent facilitator.
Education Minister Karen Casey says reports and recommendations would be prepared by the committee and not school board staff, parents and the community, but school boards would remain responsible for deciding whether a school should be closed.
Casey says the amendments to the Education Act place more emphasis on better planning and more collaboration with parents and communities.
She says no schools are currently under review and none can be put forward until the new process is in place.
