January 13, 2010

It’s a wrap for Stop the Cuts
“The Stop the Cuts campaign could not have been timed any better to have an impact on the budget development process and numerous sources within government are alluding to positive outcomes for education,” is the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s assessment of this initiative which included the ASBA and the Alberta School Councils’ Association. Launched in October, the $600,000 campaign funded by the ATA, generated 11,200 e-mails to MLAs, the minister of education and the premier. The formal advertising campaign ended November 22. The following week the government released its second quarter financial update and the fall session of the legislature closed. The ATA believes it is likely budget discussions wrapped up near this time as well.

How did people find their way to www.stopthecuts.ca?
Most people went straight to www.stopthecuts.ca as directed by the advertising. The top education-based “referring” sites – organizations who posted a link, to the campaign from their websites were:
Alberta Teachers' Association 1192
Grande Prairie Catholic School District 328
Battle River School Division 223
Northern Lights School Division 155
High Prairie School Division 142
Medicine Hat School District No. 76 135
Alberta School Boards Association 127
Calgary Catholic School District 121
Peace River School Division 94
Wild Rose School Division 91
Livingston Range School Division 85
Greater St. Albert Catholic 84

Does Dave Hancock blog hint at budget?
Insight to Government’s editor Mark Lisac wonders if a posting on the Education Minister’s blog provides some hint about the direction of possible cuts to public education. In the December 18 edition of his newsletter Lisac writes, “Edmonton Journal reporter Sarah O’Donnell did fine work this week on probable changes to the education budget in 2010-11, and to the School Act. A posting by Hancock’s staff endorsed her stories as “outstanding.” That suggests the minister agrees with O’Donnell’s estimates.” See Lisac’s article (PDF–98K). Read the budget post on Dave Hancock’s blog.

Premier Stelmach talks education
Check out Premier Stelmach on Youtube answering questions about education. The first video is seven minutes long. The second video is a minute and a half long. The videos were posted December 17.

Video for public engagement online especially if you are planning a town hall
We have posted a video of the Tips and Techniques for Public Engagement teleconference on the website. The video is available as a whole or in three parts:
Overview of public engagement
featuring Godfrey Huybregts: 17 minutes
Red Deer Public’s Town Hall Meeting format
featuring Bruce Buruma: 17 minutes
Questions and answers:
25 minutes

Before viewing the video, you may wish to review the ASBA’s Guide to Face-to-Face Public Engagement for School Boards (PDF–754K) and Templates for a town hall meeting, provided by Red Deer Public as both documents are referenced during the presentation.

In the January 2010 Communications Now
Is Facebook an option for your jurisdiction?
See the January 2010 Communications Now for this article about Facebook (PDF–144K) which outlines considerations, tips and ideas for those who want to enter the world of Facebook and Twitter.  Communications Now is a package of public relations and communications tips which the ASBA circulates each month. This index lists previous Communication Now articles.

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What’s new online?
Keep up with the Zones
All five Zones maintain a web presence, posting meeting agendas, minutes and key contacts.
Keep up with the minister of education  
Education minister Dave Hancock has had a blog presence since February 6, 2008 when he started his blog, writing, “I've been a passive blogophile – benefiting from the wisdom, or at least the commentary, of others – meaning to join in, but always blaming a lack of time.”
Edmonton Public Schools trustee Sue Huff
We aren’t sure but we think Sue Huff might be the only trustee “blogging” and “tweeting”. If we are wrong, please let us know.

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What's new @www.asba.ab.ca?
ASBA Awards Booklet
2010 Awards (PDF–280K)
Governance Handbook
Governance handbook: December 2009
Draft Minutes Board of Directors
December 9-10 (PDF–45K)

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In the news....
See the ASBA website for media stories about education. In this week's headlines:

States ease standards on high school exit exams Premier Stelmach talks education
(Video 7:14 minutes)
Premier Stelmach talks education Part 2
(Video 1:39 minutes)
Ninth student in paddling case given same sentence
Halting hazing

Read more>

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