October 16, 2009

Dr. Lyle Oberg and former ATA President Larry Booi to speak at upcoming FGM
Join us for the ASBA’s Fall General Meeting to hear three panels a)students b)former ATA Presidents and
c)former ministers of education tell us what they think school boards should be doing. Our speakers will be bold, brave and candid in their advice based on their perspectives honed during the harrowing experience of the 2002 teachers’ strike, as recent graduates of our schools and from the vantage point of the minister of education’s office.

We are very excited about our student panel – a first for the ASBA. We are looking forward to hearing from: Breanne Fulawka,a graduate of Northern Lights School Division No. 69; Justin Nshimirimana, a student with the Greater North Central Francophone Education Region No. 2 and Josh Baller, a graduate of Edmonton Catholic Schools.

Dr. Lee Southern, former executive director of the British Columbia School Trustees’ Association, will be our guide for the day. Online registration for the FGM goes live Oct. 20. For more information contact or .

Stop the cuts campaign strikes chord
The 11 a.m. Oct. 14 news conference to launch the Stop the cuts campaign, funded by the Alberta Teachers’ Association and supported by the Alberta School Boards Association and the Alberta School Councils’ Association, generated immediate responses from the minister of education and Albertans.

By 4:26 p.m. Oct. 14…..
Education minister Dave Hancock responded in an e-mail: “I’m disappointed and disheartened that in the 21st century – where innovation, creativity, collaboration and problem-solving are the key to our future success as a province – that the response to our fiscal challenges by some of our stakeholder organizations is firmly stuck in the 20th century.  Creating undue concern and conflict can no longer be the order of the day.  This is old thinking in response to a new challenge.”
By 12:45 p.m. Oct. 15.....
Four hundred and eighty-seven e-mails had been sent through the www.Stopthecuts.ca website. The campaign runs until Nov. 22. It features radio, tv and print ads encouraging Albertans to write their MLAs, the education minister and the premier to invest in public education. See www.asba.ab.ca for more information about the campaign.
What ASBA President Heather Welwood is saying.....
In support of the campaign, ASBA President Heather Welwood issued a Call to action to school boards asking them to post a link to the www.Stopthecuts.ca website and to talk about the initiative in their local communities. “In tough financial times, the one investment that guarantees dividends for all Albertans is public education,” said Welwood. “We are raising our voices, but to make a real difference we need citizens to join us. Support your schools and Alberta’s children.”
What political observer Mark Lisac is saying...
“Education minister Dave Hancock said he was disappointed at the tone. The government is probably more disappointed that the school partners have figured out working together is smart. (They joined earlier this year to fight parts of Bill 44, and last year to oppose an increase in private-school funding.) Joint action gives them more credibility. And it prevents the government from playing one side against another.” Pg. 6 Oct. 16 Insight into Government

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ASBA toolkit for school boards consulting with stakeholders about pending cuts
The ASBA is developing a public engagement toolkit and videoconference workshop for school boards who want to open a dialogue with stakeholders about the pending budget cuts. The toolkit, which will be available by the end of October, is for jurisdictions who don’t have public engagement systems in place – or who wish to reach out to new stakeholders. The videoconference workshop will be offered: November 16 and 18. Registration materials will be available shortly. For more information contact , Director of Communications at 1.780.451.7122.

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Education among top three issues: NRG poll
Healthcare is top of mind for Albertans according to a poll conducted for the CBC in mid-September. When asked: what is the most important issue facing Alberta today – 56 per cent of respondents said health care; 43 per cent said:  jobs/economy and 20 per cent said education. Education’s highest ranking came in 2004 when it hit the 41 per cent mark. See the complete poll here.

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CSBA office to move to Quebec
Canadian School Boards Association President Nada Borden provided this update. The CSBA will be focusing its efforts on information sharing between the provincial school board associations; maintaining a relationship with the Council of Ministers of Education and organizing a national conference. The CSBA office (previously in Ottawa) will move to the Quebec English School Boards Association’s office. And the CSBA hopes to hire a staff member before Christmas.

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2008-2009 annual report survey draw
Congratulations to Stuart Angle, trustee with Prairie Rose School Division No. 8, who is the winner of a Chapters gift certificate.

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What's new @www.asba.ab.ca?
Zones launch new websites
Zone 2/3
Zone 4
Highlights Board of Directors
October 8-9, 2009 (PDF–76K)

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In the news....
See the ASBA website for media stories about education. In this week's headlines:
Premier tells Calgary talk show he will be “firm” on wage freeze
No appetite for voluntary wage freeze: ATA President
Grande Yellowhead board deals with hazing: provides few details
Groups ask Albertans to speak up for investment in schools and children
Stop the cuts campaign launched: It’s time to invest in education says ASBA President

Read more>

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