However, the ministry said it had no plans to intervene at The Catlins Area School, in Owaka, as the board was fulfilling its governance role.
Ministry of Education acting hautū (leader) Te Tai Runga (south) Kayne Good said the ministry provided funding to allow the board to hire Cleave Hay to provide it with "informal support" after an anonymous email was sent to staff and parents and subsequently picked up by media.
The email included a historic news report detailing how Simon Melville, the husband of school principal Glenys Hanley, attacked a 23-year-old female tourist in a Kaikoura camping block toilet with a knife.
The 10-minute sexual attack resulted in a conviction on one charge of attempted rape, three of sexual violation and assault with a weapon.
Mr Melville was sentenced to six years in prison.
He later accompanied Ms Hanley and their children to the Catlins where she took up the role of principal in 2021.
An Otago Daily Times reporter who visited Owaka this week to speak to community members said people in the town were concerned about the board of trustees’ judgement.
Mr Good said Mr Hay’s support would allow the school "to keep its focus on quality teaching and providing a safe learning environment for their students".
"We will always provide advice and guidance when asked by a school, as we have done on this occasion.
"It’s certainly not unusual for boards to need some extra assistance when dealing with challenging issues."
Mr Good said trustees were members of the community who volunteered their time to govern the school.
"Part of good governance is seeking external assistance and specialist advice when needed."
In this case the board was being supported by the ministry and the New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSTA).
Mr Good continued to call for respectful and responsible reporting of the matter and continued to refer questions about employment matters to the board of trustees.
"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.
"In this case, the board is fulfilling its governance responsibilities."
The board previously stated it had nothing further to add to a statement it made on the matter on Wednesday.
Mr Hay was approached for comment.
