By popular demand, here is the link to the Calgary Board of Education Perspective on the Education Act 2011 Proposed Framework. Once on the link, if you have a bookmark, just click on the direct link - or scroll down towards the end of the trustee board package (agenda/reports).
Of interest, as well, the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) has an interesting link to an article on the subject of appointing trustees as it relates to the framework.
Showing posts with label Appointment of Trustees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Appointment of Trustees. Show all posts
Friday, January 21, 2011
Monday, November 22, 2010
Education Act 2011 Proposed Framework: Appointment of Trustees
At the CAPSC meeting on Wednesday, November 17, membership had a strong reaction to section 6(d) of the proposed Education Act that states, "Where there are underrepresented groups, a board may appoint, with the approval of the Minister, up to one third of the number of trustees to a board, and the Minister, in consultation with the board, may appoint up to one-third of the number of trustees to the board.
CAPSC has followed up this discussion by submitting a further question to Alberta Education:
In the current School Act, there is a section pertaining to committees. Is there any underlying regulation that would narrow the definition and preclude a board from constituting a committee that provides advice and guidance around diversity issues?
If there are no restrictions, would this not be a more effective way to address the issue that the Minister is attempting to remedy in Section 6(d) of the proposed framework for the Education Act which outlines a provision for appointment by boards or the Minister to boards where there may be underrepresented groups. Democracy would be preserved and there would be more flexibility around all boards' ability to address a wide range of diversity issues. It would also align with the Minister's public statements supporting "a community governance model which will bring all voices to the table in understanding how we create the best opportunity for our students." For example, in Calgary, Chief Superintendent Naomi Johnson, with direction from theTrustees, has set up a Cultural Advisory Council and an Elder Advisory Council that would advise and consult with the Board around decisions and policy development as it pertains to diversity and multiculturalism. As well, Administration has instituted a Youth Advisory Council comprised of leadership students from each High School in the Calgary Board of Education.
A representative from Alberta Education has responded with the following:
As you’ve noted, section 60(2)(i) of the School Act permits boards to establish committees and I believe it is currently the case that some boards have already established committees to examine issues related to diversity. You’ve noted that such a committee currently exists in Calgary and I believe the same is true in Edmonton.
Feedback received through Inspiring Education and Inspiring Action indicates that Albertans believe more needs to be done to make boards representative of their communities. While boards in Calgary and Edmonton may have had some success in using the existing provisions of the School Act to address the needs and diversity of their communities, other boards in Alberta have not been as successful. The intent behind the proposed provision is to ensure boards across the province adequately reflect the diverse interests of their communities.
The contemplated provisions would also enable a board itself to appoint a trustee where it feels like greater engagement from the community is needed. The board may feel that it is not necessary to actually appoint a trustee, but rather to set up a committee to address these issues, under section 60(2)(i). This may go some way to satisfying the Minister that a particular group is not under-represented. In any event, the intent of the proposed provision is to encourage all boards in Alberta to consider ways in which to better engage their communities and to find ways for those voices to be heard.”
If parents or school councils have comments, they can provide them at the Alberta Education website until the end of November.
CAPSC has followed up this discussion by submitting a further question to Alberta Education:
In the current School Act, there is a section pertaining to committees. Is there any underlying regulation that would narrow the definition and preclude a board from constituting a committee that provides advice and guidance around diversity issues?
If there are no restrictions, would this not be a more effective way to address the issue that the Minister is attempting to remedy in Section 6(d) of the proposed framework for the Education Act which outlines a provision for appointment by boards or the Minister to boards where there may be underrepresented groups. Democracy would be preserved and there would be more flexibility around all boards' ability to address a wide range of diversity issues. It would also align with the Minister's public statements supporting "a community governance model which will bring all voices to the table in understanding how we create the best opportunity for our students." For example, in Calgary, Chief Superintendent Naomi Johnson, with direction from theTrustees, has set up a Cultural Advisory Council and an Elder Advisory Council that would advise and consult with the Board around decisions and policy development as it pertains to diversity and multiculturalism. As well, Administration has instituted a Youth Advisory Council comprised of leadership students from each High School in the Calgary Board of Education.
A representative from Alberta Education has responded with the following:
As you’ve noted, section 60(2)(i) of the School Act permits boards to establish committees and I believe it is currently the case that some boards have already established committees to examine issues related to diversity. You’ve noted that such a committee currently exists in Calgary and I believe the same is true in Edmonton.
Feedback received through Inspiring Education and Inspiring Action indicates that Albertans believe more needs to be done to make boards representative of their communities. While boards in Calgary and Edmonton may have had some success in using the existing provisions of the School Act to address the needs and diversity of their communities, other boards in Alberta have not been as successful. The intent behind the proposed provision is to ensure boards across the province adequately reflect the diverse interests of their communities.
The contemplated provisions would also enable a board itself to appoint a trustee where it feels like greater engagement from the community is needed. The board may feel that it is not necessary to actually appoint a trustee, but rather to set up a committee to address these issues, under section 60(2)(i). This may go some way to satisfying the Minister that a particular group is not under-represented. In any event, the intent of the proposed provision is to encourage all boards in Alberta to consider ways in which to better engage their communities and to find ways for those voices to be heard.”
If parents or school councils have comments, they can provide them at the Alberta Education website until the end of November.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Education Act 2011 Proposed Framework: A Sampling of Feedback
The Hon. Dave Hancock blogged about some of the transformative changes that will come with a new Education Act, "The Informed Transformation of Trusteeship." Be sure and read through all the comments that follow this posting.
Dave King, a former Education Minister under Peter Lougheed and more recently the Executive Director of the Public School Boards Association of Alberta, has been following the School Act Review closely. He has written a couple of thought-provoking blog posts on the proposed framework and natural persons powers for school boards.
The idea forum on the Inspiring Action webpage is now up and running. Its purpose is to engage stakeholders in meaningful discussion around the issues. Check out the idea forum dedicated to the proposed framework - there are a few comments posted.
One of the changes being contemplated is raising the legal age for leaving school. A CD Howe report provides some insight and has this to say, "Whatever the reasons, one clear recommendation of this paper is that if provinces are serious about raising the school-leaving age, they need to effectively enforce these laws and promote their potential benefits to administrators, parents, and students. For another perspective, you can read the MacLeans.ca article, "Raising the dropout age won't work."
The Hon. Dave Hancock has discussed the possibility of appointing trustees to augment an elected board. Some of the appointees may be a First Nation parent or a student. Dale Hudjik, president of the Association for Responsive Trusteeship in Edmonton Schools (ARTES),asked an interesting question concerning the appointment of trustees. "How will this be different than what is provided for in the School Act today?
60(2) A board may(e) provide for the payment of travelling and other expenses
and honoraria to (i) trustees, and (ii) persons appointed to committees of the board;(i) establish committees and specify the powers and duties of the committees
61(1) The board may authorize by resolution(b) a committee of the board or that is established by the board,to do any act or thing or exercise any power that the board may or is required to do or exercise subject to the directions and limitations set out in the resolution, except for those powers referred to in subsection (2).
(2) The board shall not delegate
(a) the power to make a bylaw under this Act,
(b) the power to close a school or school building under
section 58,
(c) the power to requisition from a municipality that the board
may have from time to time, and
(f) the power to hold a hearing under section 104.
Chief Superintendent Naomi Johnson, with direction from theTrustees, has set up a Cultural Advisory Council and an Elder Advisory Council that would advise and consult with the Board around decisions and policy development as it pertains to diversity and multiculturalism. As well, Administration has instituted a Youth Advisory Council comprised of leadership students from each High School in the CBE.
Dave King, a former Education Minister under Peter Lougheed and more recently the Executive Director of the Public School Boards Association of Alberta, has been following the School Act Review closely. He has written a couple of thought-provoking blog posts on the proposed framework and natural persons powers for school boards.
The idea forum on the Inspiring Action webpage is now up and running. Its purpose is to engage stakeholders in meaningful discussion around the issues. Check out the idea forum dedicated to the proposed framework - there are a few comments posted.
One of the changes being contemplated is raising the legal age for leaving school. A CD Howe report provides some insight and has this to say, "Whatever the reasons, one clear recommendation of this paper is that if provinces are serious about raising the school-leaving age, they need to effectively enforce these laws and promote their potential benefits to administrators, parents, and students. For another perspective, you can read the MacLeans.ca article, "Raising the dropout age won't work."
The Hon. Dave Hancock has discussed the possibility of appointing trustees to augment an elected board. Some of the appointees may be a First Nation parent or a student. Dale Hudjik, president of the Association for Responsive Trusteeship in Edmonton Schools (ARTES),asked an interesting question concerning the appointment of trustees. "How will this be different than what is provided for in the School Act today?
60(2) A board may(e) provide for the payment of travelling and other expenses
and honoraria to (i) trustees, and (ii) persons appointed to committees of the board;(i) establish committees and specify the powers and duties of the committees
61(1) The board may authorize by resolution(b) a committee of the board or that is established by the board,to do any act or thing or exercise any power that the board may or is required to do or exercise subject to the directions and limitations set out in the resolution, except for those powers referred to in subsection (2).
(2) The board shall not delegate
(a) the power to make a bylaw under this Act,
(b) the power to close a school or school building under
section 58,
(c) the power to requisition from a municipality that the board
may have from time to time, and
(f) the power to hold a hearing under section 104.
Chief Superintendent Naomi Johnson, with direction from theTrustees, has set up a Cultural Advisory Council and an Elder Advisory Council that would advise and consult with the Board around decisions and policy development as it pertains to diversity and multiculturalism. As well, Administration has instituted a Youth Advisory Council comprised of leadership students from each High School in the CBE.
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