Education Funding Eases Pressure On System
Release Date: March 10, 1999
ASBA to review new performance incentive program
"The money for education, announced March 11, eases some of the pressure on Alberta's education system," said Alberta School Boards Association President, Lois Byers. "We thank the government for this investment in Alberta's students."
Byers is pleased to see most of the new money will flow into the basic education grant with no strings attached. The ASBA has been calling on the government to stop designating money for specific programs, thereby freeing local school boards to make spending decisions based on their local community's needs. "This budget recognizes the local school board is closest to the community and thus in the best position to make decisions about spending priorities," said Byers.
She greeted
the new performance incentive program with caution. "School boards share
the government's commitment to improving student achievement -- and we'd welcome
any proven approach to doing this," said Byers. "Improving student
learning has always topped our agenda and Alberta students' strong performance
speaks to the hard work on this front by everybody involved in education. The
ASBA will review this proposal carefully. We certainly welcome the commitment
from Education Minister Gary Mar to involve school boards in developing the
plan so we can ensure our concerns are addressed."
For more information contact: Lois Byers, ASBA President, at 1.780.632.9685 (cell).
To arrange an interview contact: Suzanne Lundrigan, ASBA Communications, at 1.780.451.7122.
The Alberta School Boards Association serves and represents all Alberta’s public, separate and francophone school boards.
