"increase the autonomy and accountability'' of schools.

The appointment of boards to schools was one of the recommendations made by the Education Planning Team during the late '80s.

Recently, Education Minister Jerome Dill introduced representatives of the boards -- for Clearwater, Dellwood, and Spice Valley middle schools -- to the Press.

Whitney Middle School and the Middle School at Sandys already had a board of trustees and board of governors, respectively.

In addition to giving schools more autonomy and accountability, Mr. Dill said the boards were "designed to encourage the greater participation and involvement of the public in management of our schools.'' "At the Ministry of Education, we believe that these new boards of governors are comprised of individuals who will maintain a special relationship with each school, and who will focus on the needs of the schools in the most cost-efficient manner,'' he added.

The Clearwater board is comprised of chairman Lance Furbert, deputy chairperson Rose Trott, Stuart Crockwell, Lynda Johnson, Stephen Hollis, Philip Roque, Adele White, Paula Hansell, and Stephen Emery.

Serving on the Dellwood board are chairman Leonard Santucci, Regina McCall-Daniels as deputy chairperson, Coleman Easton, John David Gibbons Jr., Roseanne Roberts, Rudolph Dill, and Barbara Smith.

Representatives on Spice Valley's board include Valerie Smith as chairperson, Craig Faries as deputy, Lyn Hamilton, Nelson Hunt, Eric Lewis, Lynn La Lone, Luzerio Burch, and Nigel Howcroft.