Stakeholder Report at Board Meeting

CAPSC Stakeholder Report
Presented at the June 28, 2011 Public Meeting of the CBE Board of Trustees

Thank you Chair Cochrane, Trustees. My name is Eryn Kelly and I am the Co-President of the Calgary Association of Parents and School Councils. We are a city-wide parent and school council non-profit group that brings parents, community members and guests together on a monthly basis throughout the school year to network and engage around educational issues that impact our students. We also advocate on those educational issues that require the ‘voice’ of our constituency to speak out upon.
While our roots go back to the early years of public education in Calgary, CAPSC, in its current form, will celebrate its 10th anniversary this September. We have held a stakeholder seat at public meetings of the board of trustees since 1985.

In the 2010/2011 school year, we have facilitated public engagement opportunities for our members and the public in a variety of ways:

In the fall, we hosted former Trustees Gordon Dirks and Nancy Close who led a discussion around the roles and responsibilities of trustees and the importance of making an informed vote. This led into the trustee candidate forums that we organized and held across the city in each ward pairing during last years’ civic election. In partnership with ATA Local 38, we provided each Trustee candidate with a questionnaire in advance of each of the forums. Their responses to these important educational queries were collected and then posted online for access and commentary by our members and any other interested member of our community.
We utilized social media for the first time to advertise both of these initiatives and our reach was expanded exponentially.

The new Education Act was introduced in the spring legislative session. Prior to that, Alberta Education kindly sent a representative to discuss the framework for this legislation with our parents and bring their feedback back to Edmonton. This was very well received by our members. Several trustees were also there to listen and share their perspective.

Education Minister, Dave Hancock, Chief Superintendent, Naomi Johnson, and Chair, Pat Cochrane participated in our education panel discussion which brought out over 300 concerned citizens. The Chief Superintendent also attended one of our monthly meetings along with several members of the finance and communications departments to discuss the issue of the budget shortfall. Following that meeting, Finance and communications facilitated and attended a follow-up get-together to further explore and explain.

CAPSC could not do this job alone and we deeply value the collaborative relationship we have with the board, administration, ATA and other stakeholder organizations.

Over the year, our members and the public have also had many opportunities to engage with trustees at our meetings around a variety of issues both formally and informally. Our role as a critical friend to the board has a rich and varied history and is something we and our members place great value on. We will continue to ask provocative questions and offer informed perspectives and constructive criticism as a friend. As a critical friend we will always take the time to fully understand the context of any information presented and the possible threats and opportunities that will affect the Calgary Board of Education students and their families. We will continue to be advocates for the success and improvement of public education.

We hope that trustees will continue to place great value on this role as well and continue to maximize the public engagement opportunities that our meetings offer as they have proven to be a very effective way to engage parents. CAPSC will continue working in collaboration with our stakeholders and with an educative purpose to provide parents with meaningful information and resources.

Poll: 7 in 10 Albertans believe the government is underfunding education

The Alberta Teachers' Association released the results of a public opinion poll today. The poll was conducted by Environics Research Group and is accurate to within 3.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The poll was commissioned by the ATA.

Highlights:

70% believe government is underfunding education

18% of Albertans believe the right amount is being spent on education (lowest level in 10 years)

57% believe the Government is most responsible for cuts to education (20% blame education sector unions, 11% blame school boards, 3% blame teachers)

Financial Accountability and Best Practice at the CBE

At the May 3 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees, CAPSC submitted two questions related to financial accountability and best practice at the CBE during Question Period. The questions were read into the record and while responses were not immediately available, the board did respond to us in writing and read them into the public record at a later board meeting (these responses are in regular text). CAPSC felt further clarification was required so they were resubmitted but not for Question Period (these responses are in bold italic text).

Question #1

Alberta Education’s Accountability Framework requires detailed reporting from school boards. For example, school boards are required to submit audited financial statements to the Minister on an annual basis. The Ministry closely reviews the statements and documentation surrounding these filings and provides feedback to the boards either in the form of incentives for good performance or penalties and disincentives for poor performance. The Auditor General also reviews the work of not only the Ministry of Education but also school boards. Reviews by the Ministry or the Auditor General are not limited to financial reporting but would also include important items like governance. From reading what is publicly available, nothing seems to indicate that the CBE is in trouble in either case. Boards who are judged to be poor performers are being dealt with publicly as is the case with the Northland School Division. There may be recommendations for improvement for some other school boards that are not specifically named but there is follow up and continued monitoring of these boards. Could the CBE share any feedback that they have received from the Ministry in regards to the Accountability Framework?

Response:

Alberta Education expects a clean audit opinion (unqualified audit) annually from school districts. The CBE has experienced a clean audit for at least the last 15 years. The CBE has never experienced a performance or operational review by either Alberta Education or the Office of the Auditor General.

The Office of the Auditor General undertook a budget process review of 13 school districts (including the CBE) approximately five years ago and the CBE was identified as having exemplary budgeting and reporting processes.

In regards to the Accountability Pillar tied to financial matters, there are no prescribed stand-alone documents stated or required from Alberta Education. However, when it comes to accountability and financial reporting to Alberta Education, the Calgary Board of Education provides an Audited Financial Statement (AFS) in the format mandated by Alberta Education and as required by the School Act (November 30th of each year). Feedback is provided to all jurisdictions on the submitted AFS. The feedback is usually received two to three months after the submission of the statements. Feedback received pertains to disclosure and confirming amounts in any of the statements or schedules.

In addition, embedded in the Calgary Board of Education’s Annual Education Results Report there are financial summary details of the most recently completed fiscal year, including revenues, expenses by program, any net use or application of operating funds and the organization’s overall financial position. As mandated by Alberta Education, the organization further provides financial information regarding School Generated Funds (SGF) and under this program how revenues are generated and how funds are spent to augment student learning.

Question #2

Alberta Education has a role in supporting school boards in their financial oversight which includes reviewing budgets, quarterly updates, and audited financial statements. In response to the 2005/2006 Auditor General’s Report, Alberta Education set up a Task Force under MLA Janice Saarich, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education. Out of this 2010 report came a set of best practices to assist trustees and superintendents to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their financial oversight activities. This checklist, found in Appendix 6 on page 53 of the report, is described as an assessment tool for current practice in oversight activities. Could the board go through the list and comment on each of the best practices as they pertain to the Calgary Board of Education.

http://www.asboa.ab.ca/PDF/jsfinancialtaskforceeditsfinal.pdf

Response:

Alberta Education has identified the budgeting and reporting processes that are required to be followed and the CBE conducts this work in alignment with these processes and ensures best practices are followed.

It is incumbent upon the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) to utilize best practice; sound financial business processes and incorporate these within the budgeting, monitoring and reporting cycles of the organization.

Below is a commentary on how the CBE incorporates these as referenced in the checklist found on page 53 of the Appendix 6 to the 2010 report identified above.

Building Financial Capacity for School Board Trustees and Superintendents – Appendix 6 – Best Practices:
Budget Assumptions

• Considerable planning for the Operating Budget takes place – usually commencing in December of each fiscal year.
• The CBE fully considers the enrolment projections forecasted for the upcoming year (all types) and these are provided to the Board in January.
• The CBE identifies and incorporates the following budget assumptions which are shared with the Board:
o CBE Finance Department considers and collaborates with Human Resources regarding resolved and expected salary increases based on comparable organizations (ie: City of Calgary) and considers general economic conditions for all staff.
o CBE considers all grid movements anticipated for staff in those specified categories.
o CBE considers all announced statutory changes (employer’s share of CPP, EI, Pension plans).
o The CBE includes revenue change expectations (uses the Provincial Budget announcement and all associated grant rate changes).
o Other income sources (non Provincial) are fully considered (ie: interest income/Fees).
o Transportation budget is considered including inflationary increases (fuel prices, etc.) and expected service offerings.
o Identifies all other contractual obligations (changes).
o The CBE builds and develops the budget in full alignment with the CBE Three-Year Education Plan.
o The Preliminary Budget and supporting assumptions and documentations are shared with the Board of Trustees as part of the budget approval process.

Budget Updates
• The entire CBE budget is recalculated in the first quarter of every school year and reflects the confirmed student count at September 30 and all program requirements based on confirmed student need (ie: demand for Full day Kindergarten.) All revenues are recalculated and the Resource Allocation Method (Fall Schools RAM process) confirms the spending at schools and any required amended operating reserve draw(s) are placed before the Board for their consideration and approval.
• The Fall Budget Update or a full Budget report, as prescribed by Alberta education, is placed before the board of Trustees for approval before being formally submitted to Alberta Education.
• The budget is updated to reflect changes for revenues and associated expenses, staffing changes and finalization of operating reserves for the previous year.

Financial Monitoring
• The Board of Trustees receives quarterly reports with projections to year end (Variances) for both the operating and capital budgets in accordance with Executive Limitation 11: Financial Condition.
• Superintendents’ Team monitors all spending for the organization as a whole and individual Superintendent’s monitor their own operating or capital budgets at the Department and Service Unit level, significant variances are investigated and mitigated as required during the year.
• Managers, Directors and Superintendents have explicit responsibility for budgetary control as articulated in their position description for their area of accountability.
• Recommendations for budget adjustments by the Board of Trustees is communicated through these quarterly reports for consideration and approval.

Financial Health
• Is a dual responsibility of the Board of Trustees and Superintendents Team. Avoiding fiscal jeopardy is always in the forefront of the operating budget process to ensure a liquid and long term sustainable service offer to students. The Board of Trustees has prescribed Executive Limitations and especially Executive Limitation 10 – Budget Process to ensure prudent budgeting processes to ensure the long term financial health of the organization. The Board monitors compliance with EL-10 on an annual basis. The Financial Health of the organization is also considered with respect to available operating reserves to support any planned expenditures on a one time basis. The Board’s auditors also monitor the health of the organization as part of the annual audit process (going concern).
• Projections are forecast out two to three years to ensure the long term fiscal health of the organization is not jeopardized.

Audit Committee
• The Board of Trustees has a fully functioning audit committee that recommends approval of the audit plan and recommends to the Board of Trustees approval of the year end financial statements. The audit committee exercises its function through approved Terms of Reference. The Audit Committee includes Board members and external public members to review internal control adequacy. Members of the Audit Committee are able to ask questions of the appointed external auditors about any audit findings or other matters with and without administration present.

Internal Audit
• The organization has an internal controls advisor position within Corporate Financial Services whose primary function is to provide general advice and best practice concepts regarding matters of internal control. In addition, the auditors through their audit findings, report potential internal control improvements to Administration.

Capacity Training for School Board Trustees and Superintendents
• Internal training is provided to new Trustees following election, and includes financial reporting, financial literacy, financial monitoring and governance by CBE staff and through the Alberta School Boards Association.

Medicine Hat Catholic Considering Transportation Fees

An article in the Medicine Hat News, "ASBA member suggests fees for Catholic school busing," discusses the issues arising from the $116,000 that the board spends on subsidizing bus students who are ineligible for provincial transportation funding. Currently, money is coming out of the operating budget to cover this cost. While it appears no action will be taken this year, the board is predicting its deficit will grow from 835,000 to $1.2M in the 2012/2013 school year and if funding doesn't increase, fees could likely become part of the conversation.

'"It would be a real departure from what we have traditionally done, and we're quite sure some parents wouldn't be happy about it," Leahy said.'

Positive Trend in High School Completion/Drop Out Rates

In a recent news release, "High school completion rate continues upward climb," Alberta Education shares that the three-year high school completion rate rose to 72.6% in 2010 from 71.5% in 2009. The five year completion rate remained at 79%. The drop out rate for students between the ages of 14 to 18 declined from 4.3% in 2009 to 4.2% in 2010.

At the Calgary Board of Education, the Interim Three-Year Education Plan 2011 - 2014 report went to the Board of Trustees at the June 14 public meeting. Good news around high school results were in the report. The three-year high school completion rate was improved and now stands at 70.8% The drop out rate for students between the ages of 14and 18 improved significantly and now stands at 4.1%.

Kids drop out of school for many reasons and the process often starts early on in their school career. Alberta Education has recently introduced an interesting website High School Completion Strategic Framework. There is a Parent Info tab that has links to resources that can help parents keep their kids in school or help those who dropped out return to high school.

Editorial: Education is part of a prosperous province

An editorial that appeared in the Canmore Leader, "Education is part of a prosperous province," opens with the statement, "If you are a parent in Alberta, if you are even thinking of raising a child in Alberta, if you care about the future of this province in any way, you might consider writing a letter to ..."

Education funding is an issue across this province and touches every school board. While a few boards may weather this storm and minimize impacts to the classroom with dwindling reserves, they have shared that it is only a matter of time before their well runs dry. At the last board meeting, we learned that eight school boards in the province were in such dire straights that the province had to provide some assistance.

CBE News Release

CBE ADMINISTRATION PRESENTS 2011-2012
OPERATING BUDGET TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CALGARY —CBE Administration will present the detailed preliminary operating budget for the 2011-2012 school year to Trustees during the public board meeting on June 14.

The report is Administration’s recommendation to optimize learning and delivery of our Three-Year Education Plan to more than 100,000 students while balancing the budget.

The Board of Trustees will review the operating budget for information on Tuesday, and are scheduled to approve it on June 28. The budget is not finalized until Sept. 30 when student enrolment for the school year is confirmed.

“Everyone in the Calgary Board of Education is committed to student learning,” says Naomi Johnson, Chief Superintendent of Schools. “We are educators who build the best possible plan for students with the funding we are provided.”

The operating budget recommends exactly how Administration proposes to deal with the budget shortfall resulting from the provincial budget. Since February, the Calgary Board of Education has estimated the accumulated shortfall to be $61.7 million for the 2011-12 school year. Although a budget process is dynamic and numbers have been refined, $61.7 million remains a reasonable estimate of the shortfall.

To close the budget gap, Administration’s approach has been consistent since it was first outlined in March. Costs have been reduced through initiatives in three categories:

1. redesigning central services;
2. depleting available reserves; and
3. fulfilling a commitment to keep students first by asking schools to contribute last in reducing school-based budgets.

The contribution from each category has been refined over time. For example, the amount of applicable reserves is now calculated to be $19.3 million. On March 22, the amount was estimated to be $12 million. By April 19, the estimate increased to $18.5 million. The changes—which are relatively small in the context of a $1.1 billion budget—ultimately reduce the impact on schools

Here are additional facts from the report and the budget process.

- The revenue from the provincial government is $1.012 billion compared to $1.002 billion for the current year. The revenue for 2010-11 has been restated to reflect a budget requirement from the provincial government for 2011-12. The province’s share of the cost of teacher pensions will flow through the CBE operating budget starting next year. The revenue increase is offset by an equal expense so there is no bottom-line change. The change is being made to fully reflect the cost of teachers to school districts across the province.


- The CBE budget breaks down into four major expense categories: salaries and benefits: 77 per cent; services: 11 per cent; supplies and materials: eight per cent; and amortization charges: four per cent.


- The CBE is expected to employ 8,783 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, 331 fewer FTEs than the current year. The estimated reduction is comprised of 174.2 school-based positions, 170.7 of whom are teachers. The full impact on positions and employees will not be known until enrolment and budget are finalized.


- Budgets are not finalized until after Sept. 30, 2011, when actual enrolments are known by schools and school districts.


- The CBE estimates enrolment will increase for the 2011-12 school year by 658 students or 0.6 per cent. Budgeted enrolment for the current year was 102,674.


- The administrative cost, as a percentage of the total budget, will be 3.8 per cent, including the Board of Trustees. This figure betters the provincial maximum of four per cent.


- The board-funded capital budget of $19.75 million, which was approved May 17, is not included in the operating budget.

The full details of the 2011-2012 operating budget are attached below and available at www.cbe.ab.ca.

“No matter how difficult, a budget is merely a means to an end,” says Johnson. “As we finalize the budget and close one school year, we can begin to look forward to learning of a new year—after a well-deserved break for our students and employees.”

2011 - 2012 CBE Budget Webpage

2011/2012 Preliminary Operating Budget

CAPSC Executive became aware that the 2011/2012 Preliminary Operating Budget had been leaked over the weekend by someone at the board when media began contacting us on Sunday morning for comment. We did not see the document until it was released to the public this afternoon and have not yet had the opportunity to fully review the contents of the approximately $1.1B budget document.

The 2011/2012 Preliminary Operating Budget is now available online along with the agenda and other reports going before the Board of Trustees Tuesday evening. CAPSC Executive will be at the meeting and commit to bringing complete and accurate information back to our parents and school councils. There will be a two week period before the trustees approve the budget on Tuesday, June 28 where you will have an opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions of your trustee. We would also be interested to hear what you have to say so please drop us a line.

Eryn Kelly, Co-President eryn.kelly@capsc.ca
Leslie Newton, Co-President Leslie.Newton@capsc.ca

Kindergarten in the news

The Globe & Mail has been been following several students who are enrolled in a full day kindergarten program in a series of engaging articles, "The Kindergarten Diaries." Three provinces are now offering full day kindergarten with a focus on play based learning. There are lots of links to other articles, but one of particular interest deals with the age of entry - "Should late-birthday kids sit out a year?"

Update: A recent article in the Vancouver Sun, "Full-day kindergarten a success", discusses the positive feedback from parents, teachers, and principals.

The L.A. Times has an interesting read, "On the question of when to start Kindergarten, there's no easy A," that also concludes that there are no clear answers to be had on the subject.

Alberta Education provides a comprehensive guide for parents, "2011-2012 Kindergarten Curriculum Handbook for Parents," and the Calgary Board of Education provides kindergarten information on its website. Children who are 4 years old by March 1 of the current school year are eligible to attend. Kindergarten is optional.

Important Fee Waiver Information for Parents and Families affected by Transportation Fee increases

Check out the CBE's fee waiver form as there are several categories of eligibility. If you look at item 2: We are low income but not on Provincial Social Services, the CBE asks for a photocopy of the Alberta Works Child Health Benefit card and the letter of renewal for the current year.

A single parent of three children with a maximum qualifying income of $34, 056 is eligible for this benefit. A couple with three children with a maximum qualifying income of $38,997 is eligible as well. Additional children mean a higher maximum qualifying income. There are also exceptions granted if your income is higher than what appears in the table. You can calculate your income by looking at your last income tax return and taking basic income(Line 236), adding any child support you receive (Line 156) and subtracting tax paid (Line 128).

The CBE also has a waiver "hotline" at (403)817-7440 where you can get many of your questions answered. You will likely get voicemail due to volume but we are told all calls are returned.

Note: If you qualify for the Child Health Benefit you may also qualify for the City of Calgary's Fee Assistance for Recreation program.

Transportation Fee Schedule finalized for 2011/2012

Trustees Carol Bazinet and Sheila Taylor declared a pecuniary interest on all items and removed themselves from the Transporation Fee Schedule debate. Trustee Bowen-Eyre declared a pecuniary interest on item 3 that dealt with the Elementary Charter Transportation Fee at which point she removed herself but remained to discuss, debate and vote on all other items.

Summary of Fees/month ($)

Senior High
Calgary Transit $39.25 (was $35.75)
Ineligible Transit $54.25 (was $54.25)

Kindergarten and Grades 1-9
Kindergarten Charter $21.50 (was $20)
Elementary, grades 1 - 6, Charter $29.50 (was $20)
Junior High, grades 7 - 9, Charter $33.50 (was $20)
Junior High, grades 7 - 9, Calgary Transit $33.50 (was $20)
Eligible Special Needs Students, grades 10 - 12 $29.50 (was $20)
Family Maximum eliminated (was $40)
Conditional Charter $33.50 (was $20)

Final fee structure was a mix of full and partial cost recovery. This blend of options saved approximately $500, 000 and now administration will have to cut elsewhere to make up a balance of approximately $300,000. These cuts will not be made at the school level. Families, especially those impacted by the removal of the family maximum are encouraged to apply for a waiver.

Debate was lengthy and detailed but variety of values surfaced in the conversation amongst trustees and administration - details to follow in a later post. Noon Hour supervision fee review focus group was referenced as well and it clearly indicated a more comprehensive engagement process was needed around values and the entire fee structure. Such a review would be a longer process than the time available in June. This work will begin in the fall.

Early media report from CHQR News.

Please let us know if you have any questions/comments....

Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) and Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) sign agreement

From the Alberta School Boards' Association e-newsletter it was announced that,

At the June Spring General Meeting ASBA President Jacquie Hansen and a representative of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association will sign a protocol agreement between the ASBA and the AUMA. The two associations hope to work together on the following: serving as role-models for cooperation between municipalities and school boards locally; advocating together on school closures, infrastructure needs and municipal elections; drug awareness programs and trustee development.

The agreement was signed on June 7 by both parties. Read the AUMA press release.

Education Minister: Don't expect any major funding announcements over the summer

At the Spring General Meeting of the Alberta School Boards' Association, the Hon. Dave Hancock told boards there would be no additional funding in this budget for cash strapped boards. According to this Calgary Herald article, "School Boards warned not to expect more funds," the Education Minister did make a "promise to take a look at addressing rising fuel costs" impacting transportation and approach the Treasury Board for additional funding. Check out the CTV News video, CBE considers bussing options.

CTV News also reported on the Minister's comments at the ASBA meeting and have a video available, Education Minister meets with trustees, that includes interviews with the Hon. Dave Hancock; Jacquie Hansen, ASBA President; and Pat Cochrane, Chair of the CBE Board of Trustees.

CBE Trustees to consider three alternatives for transportation fees at June 7 public board meeting

The Calgary Board of Education announced in a press release today that trustees will be considering three alternatives for transportation fees while maintaining current service levels. Administration is recommending "partial cost recovery—increase fees while subsidizing costs with some instructional dollars," in order to "mitigate impact on families."

Administration also comments in the report that, "Should the Board of Trustees not approve any of the proposed scenarios for the 2011/2012 Transportation Fee Schedule, administration would need to adjust service levels and transportation routes for the start of the 2011-2012 school year and transportation service might not be fully operational when school begins."

The report goes on to say that, "The public discussion and debate about transportation fees for the 2011-12 school year has surfaced many real and difficult issues. As such a comprehensive review of all fees needs to occur early in the 2011-2012 school year in order to ascertain the public’s guiding principles for the entire fee structure and balance them with the Board of Trustees’ requirements."

Hon. Dave Hancock's address to the Public School Boards' Association

The Hon. Dave Hancock, Education Minister, in a recent address to the Public School Boards' Association at their Spring General Assembly, talked about education funding and what we really need to focus on to ensure a strong future for our education system.

2011/2012 Transportation Fee Schedule back before the board at June 7 public meeting

The 2011/2012 Transportation Fee Schedule had been on the public agenda for the May 3 board meeting. However, it was pulled prior to the meeting to allow for changes in the recommendations to accommodate the pecuniary interests that arose for some trustees and maximize their opportunity to discuss, debate and vote on the fee structure.

The revised report came back to the public meeting of the board held May 17. Trustees, who participated in the discussion, rejected the 60% fee increase and returned the report to Administration for new scenarios for funding. This does not mean that fees will not be raised in the returning report. It means the system of rebates for High School (Calgary Transit Services), family maximums and fee increases will have to be rejigged or eliminated or some combination thereof. The revised report is expected to be on the agenda for the June 7 public meeting of the board.

CAPSC has blogged previously about government funding levels for student transportation, ways the board has and is trying to minimize fee increases, and cost factors that challenge metro urban boards like the Calgary Board of Education (see blog archive for May). CAPSC has also spoken out in the media about the impacts fee increases will have on families.

One of the issues impacting student transportation costs is urban sprawl and this has been a high profile civic issue both here in Calgary and in Edmonton. It is clear that cities with populations of 1M plus like Calgary face deeper and more complex issues and factors like sprawl and complexity may not be fully accounted for in the province's funding formula for metro urban boards. This is currently under study by Alberta Education.

Back in May 2005, the Alberta School Boards' Metro School Boards Study raised the issue of urban sprawl and the complexities metro urban boards face. Discussion of these issues start on page 43 of the report. All of this is revisited in the later report, At the breaking point: Alberta's student transportation system.

The Metro Study suggested that the following factors need to be considered in a new transportation funding framework:

1. Needs and requirements of special education student transportation

2. Location of magnet schools

3. Urban sprawl – need to transport students from high growth areas on the periphery of the cities into the lower growth areas in older neighbourhoods

4. Traffic complexities and impact on ride times

5. Student safety – traffic patterns, school bus drop off bypasses, major
traffic routes and the nature of the areas that students must pass through

6. Need to utilize a wide range of transportation service providers – from
taxies to yellow busses

7. Increasing costs of accessing public transit

8. Needs of students and demands of parents

9. Costs of securing, training and maintaining qualified drivers and other
persons

10. Programs of choice

11. Small schools by necessity

12. School closures

13. Service carrier contracts

An excerpt from the later report notes that in the 2007/2008 school year, "metro boards were provided with funding to implement a computerized transportation software program like Edulog or Versa Track. It is anticipated that the implementation of these software programs will provide for a transported student information base that can be used as the foundation for a simplified revised metro allocation formula that considers actual eligible transported students rather than expected."

The CBE had to purchase the software in the spring of 2007 and have submitted reports to Alberta Education for four years now - the first of which was during the 2007-08 school year.

Of interest, is a timely article that recently appeared in Fast Forward Weekly's Calgary Life & Style Urban Living section, "A costly ride to school," that discusses the hidden costs of urban sprawl as it applies to student transportation. Urban sprawl is a complex issue with no easy, fast answers but public awareness and willingness to address these issues seems to be on the rise.

In the meantime...

Alberta Education Posts Education Act Videos of Q & A Sessions

Alberta Education has recently posted a series of videos taken of Q & A sessions around various aspects of the Education Act. The first of these, Boards Engaging Partners, runs just over 30 minutes and covers a range of topics including:

-Charter Schools (implications of not being granted natural person powers)

-Parental Engagement in their child's education and school/school system (re: opportunities for greater parental engagement but is qualified by "where appropriate." Who will decide when or where it is appropriate to engage parents in child's education, in the school or the workings of the school system?) starts at 1:57

-FOIP Act (challenges re: exchanging information)

-Natural Person Powers for Boards (restrictions on finance/borrowing, allowing for flexibility/innovation)

-Education Act (where we are in the process)

-Safe, Caring and Respectful Learning Environments (bullying/cyberbullying and other behaviours, clarifying the Principals/Schools ability to reach beyond the school and the tools available to address these issues) starts at 20:57

Education Act 2011: Let's Keep the Conversation Going

Bill 18: Education Act 2011

Back in November 2010, CAPSC hosted Rakhi Pancholi, a Legislative Consultant with Alberta Education, who spoke about the proposed framework for the new Education Act. Parents had an engaging session with the Alberta Education representative and she did a great job fielding questions and eliciting feedback. After the meeting, parents were able to continue the conversation online with Alberta Education.

Since then, the Education Act was introduced to the Legislature as Bill 18. In a press release coinciding with its introduction, the Hon. Dave Hancock stated , “The proposed legislation will underpin the transformation of the education system to reflect expectations for high school completion, online and other flexible learning environments and a wide range of supports to students.”

Before the spring session ended, the legislation had two readings but did not pass into law. The Education Minister hoped to engage the public further before final passage. Unfortunately, the delivery of the Alberta Government’s 2011/2012 budget in February and its impact on schools has tended to overshadow the conversation around this critical piece of legislation. Legislation that will move the transformation of our education system forward and keep Alberta leading edge. This province and its citizens cannot afford to fall behind other jurisdictions nationally and internationally in a fast paced, global economy.

It is also important that as parents we should get familiar with the proposed Education Act. We need to ask questions and provide feedback on its various provisions because it will directly and/or indirectly affect us and our children. For example, what does the Education Act have to say about school fees, transportation, cyber bullying, roles and responsibilities of parents and students, raising the legal age for leaving school, and expanding funded access up to the age of 21? Alberta Education has provided a great resource for the public on its “What’s New” webpage. Another starting point is a brochure highlighting various aspects of the legislation.

From there you can move to the “Engage” homepage or check out more specific links under Student Success, Community Engagement and Local Decision-Making, Governance and General. You can also check out the video "Education Act" on youtube.

Keep the conversation going - let us know if there is any aspect of or topic related to this issue you would like to see addressed at our fall meetings and drop us a line at info@capsc.ca.

More parents reaching out...

A group of parents predominantly from student council but growing ( and please join our group) will be walking over to Mr. Chase's office on Tuesday, June 7, 2011,at 2;40, where he has graciously agreed to meet with us and our children.  Mr. Chase is a former teacher and strong advocate for education in Alberta.  We will leave Varsity immediately after school ends to present our letters and let the children take part in our actions.He is located in the office building across from 7-11 on Valliant Drive This is a parent driven activity.  It is not affiliated with the school.  .

 

I am including a draft of our letter to our MLA, Harry Chase but please feel free to alter it in any way. Emailing letters directly to your MLA is terrific, but I would also request that a signed copy of this or a similar letter make it's way back to the school.

Please pass this letter on to all of your contacts we are happy to involve as many families as possible.  I am  more than happy to take any suggestions on how to make a stronger impact. 

 

Thank you

 

Tara Ramsey