ASBA hires another new lawyer

Join us in welcoming lawyer Jeremy Schick to the ASBA legal team. Jeremy comes to us from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law where he taught legal research and advocacy. Prior to that Jeremy worked in private practice in administrative law and civil litigation. He has been a lawyer since 2000. This brings the ASBA legal team to five lawyers. Grace Cooke, currently seconded to the department of education, will be returning in the fall.

back to top

Register for ASBA’s Campaign School

The ASBA is offering Running to win: A campaign school June 9 in Red Deer after the Spring General Meeting. Separate registration is required. Veteran trustees are welcome. Our speakers are: communications consultant Hank Goertzen, political strategist Ken Chapman and image consultant Joanne Blake. Participants will learn practical skills and approaches to campaigning. Registration is $99 (incl. GST). Click here to review the program and register. For more information contact Suzanne Lundrigan.

back to top

Learn about Internet use policies
at June 17 videoconference

Join us June 17 for an ASBA legal videoconference outlining best practices in Internet use policies for school boards. The session will be based on a review of current policies and case law and will highlight strategies to mitigate school board risk. The 90-minute session starts at 12 pm MST on June 17. Registration fee: $150 per person (incl. GST). Click here to register. For more information contact Suzanne Lundrigan.

back to top

David Anderson receives
first Friend of ASCA Award

ASBA Executive Director David Anderson received the inaugural Friend of Alberta School Councils’ Association Award at that association’s May conference. This excerpt from ASCA President Marilyn Sheptycki’s speech outlines Anderson’s contributions to the ASCA.

“This individual was never a member of the Alberta School Councils’ Association, but knows our organization, its goals and aspirations, and believes in us. For years he has gone out of his way to promote and support our work with almost everyone with whom he comes in contact! And, because he is well known and respected in provincial education circles, his support of ASCA is listened to and considered by many. He has taken time to pave the way for ASCA to enter into productive and positive partnerships, has introduced former presidents of ASCA, and me, to key education figures and has unstintingly arranged meetings to elevate ASCA’s profile. I have personally heard him promote membership in ASCA to superintendents and school board chairs, speaking highly of ASCA workshops and skill sessions to enhance relationships between school councils and school boards...... We are so fortunate to have a person like him on our side – and we say thank you from the bottom of our collective hearts for all he has done and continues to do for ASCA and school councils.”

back to top

ASBA launches new legal newsletter

This month the ASBA published its first edition of vis à vis a legal newsletter for educators. The newsletter authors are committed to not only report the “what” of legal developments but the “so what” for school boards. Published 10 times a year, subscriptions are available to Alberta school boards as follows:

Regular jurisdiction rate
$315 (incl. GST) per year: newsletter may be circulated to five recipients within the jurisdiction.

Jurisdiction rate
$1500 (plus GST) per year allows for unlimited circulation of newsletter within the jurisdiction.

Check out the newsletter if you haven’t seen it. To subscribe contact Elaine Pallister.

back to top

ASBOA inks deal with Servus Alberta

The Association of School Business Officials of Alberta has inked a new partnership with Servus Credit Union which will see:

• school boards receive premium rates based on the total investment portfolio of the Servus ASBOA partnership
• customized cash management and investment strategies
• 100 per cent deposit guarantees
• Servus become the founding sponsor for the ASBOA School Business Officials Leadership Institute and a sponsor for three annual ASBOA Conferences
• based on the number of participating school boards, Servus will contribute to a new fund to advance ASBOA’s objectives and facilitate professional development

back to top

ASBA to have Twitter presence at SGM

Electronic evaluation forms, which will be e-mailed to SGM attendees; posting presenter’s PowerPoint presentations on the ASBA website and Twitter “tweets” during the business session will make the upcoming Spring General Meeting the most “cyber-friendly” yet – and perhaps save some trees along the way.

If you want to follow the ASBA on Twitter during the SGM and through the year find newalberta – ASBA Communications Director Suzanne Lundrigan’s twitter account.

Onsite registration available
If you missed the deadline for online registration, you may register at the SGM.

back to top

What's new @ www.asba.ab.ca

School boards to talk governance in Red Deer
Media release Spring General Meeting

Report: Total compensation for teachers in Alberta (PDF–17K)
Published: June 1, 2010

Report: Student, teacher, staff count report (PDF–60K)
Published: September 30, 2009

Job posting: Superintendent of schools/CEO – Northland School Division No. 61 (PDF–345K)
Deadline: June 7, 2010

Addendum 2: Additional items for 2010 SGM (PDF–148K)

Communicating about cutbacks
Read this article (PDF–123K) in the Summer 2010 edition of Communications Now.

back to top

In the news...

Each morning we post education headlines on the ASBA website. Click here to check out the latest education news.

Heather Welwood talks to CBC about school budget cuts

Election of school boards challenged

Is minister urging school boards to run deficits – then planning to punish them? Don Braid Calgary Herald

Education minister tells St. Paul Board of Education govt. will not pay back money pulled out of board reserves

Minister Hancock’s speech at ARA

back to top