Tripartite Discussions Update from the Alberta Teachers' Association

The Tripartite discussions have been back in the news. These discussions between the Alberta Government, the Alberta School Boards' Association (ASBA) and the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) were resumed this fall. The ATA recently released an update, "Tripartite discussions enter final stage." Introductory comments from the text are excerpted below:

The Alberta Teachers’ Association has participated in tripartite discussions with the government of Alberta and the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) since fall 2011.

The discussions are being held to achieve a framework agreement that would lead to collective agreements for an additional term. The government is looking to secure labour peace, cost certainty and workforce stability in the education sector.

To read the full article, click here.

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.'

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.

Tripartite Discussions: Alberta Education, ASBA and ATA Issue a Joint Statement

A joint statement was released today by Alberta Education, the Alberta School Boards Association and the Alberta Teachers' Association regarding the Tripartite discussions. The letter stated that they will "not be moving ahead with an agreement at this time." These discussions began last fall and centred around workforce stability and the transformation of K to 12 Education.

CAPSC Feedback to Trustees on Tripartite Discussions on Workforce Stability and the Transformation of Education

As many of you know, CAPSC was asked by the Board of Trustees to respond to the following question, "From your association’s perspective, what changes in the K-12 education system will have the most impact on student success? Please provide us with your top three suggestions for changes." This feedback would form part of their response to the Alberta School Boards' Association (ASBA) who in turn will be representing school boards in a Tripartite Discussion with the Minister of Education and the Alberta Teachers' Association around workforce stability and the transformation of K - 12 education.

Given the very tight timeline, CAPSC was very pleased to hear from nearly 40 individuals and school councils. All responses were provided in a report to trustees and the items that appeared most frequently were Class Size, Principal/Teacher (support, professional development,evaluation, accountability), predictable and sustainable funding, and supports/resources for special needs and ESL. We will have more details available in our newsletter that will be out shortly.

Since then, we have heard back from the Executive Assistant to the Board of Trustees thanking parents and CAPSC executive on behalf of the Board for "responding to the Board’s request for input into the topics at the Alberta Education/ATA/ASBA discussion table. Please extend the Board’s thanks to all parents who took the time to respond on such very short notice." A link to the Board of Trustee's submission was also included.