The ministry initially appointed Cleave Hay as a limited statutory manager in November last year, to take control of some of Bathgate Park School’s board of trustees operations.
However, since then, the board has lost several members due to ongoing illness, personal family issues and one member has moved from Dunedin.
So the ministry has had to increase its level of intervention at the school by reappointing Mr Hay as a commissioner.
As commissioner, he will have all the responsibilities and authorities of the board, but the day-to-day running of the school will continue to be led by the principal.
Mr Hay said he would work with the remaining board members and school managers to fix its financial management, employment and communication issues.
"I’m also trying to create a little community forum too, so that we have a parent voice."
An addition to his duties would be to oversee the establishment of a new board of trustees.
"That won’t happen soon, but it should happen by the end of this year."
A Ministry of Education spokeswoman said by far the majority of schools operated successfully, but a small number developed difficulties or had unanticipated events that they could not resolve without outside help.
"We always support schools to resolve problems themselves and only intervene as a last resort when there is risk present at the school that cannot be addressed in any other way.
"Where we do step in, an intervention aims to bring expertise and a fresh perspective."
Mr Hay had extensive governance experience and a high level of skill in employment and communication management.
She said the aim of any intervention was always to return the school to full self-management as soon as the recommendations of the intervention had been met.
"We monitor all school interventions closely, as we will be doing with Bathgate Park School."
