Trustee Report - October 12, 2011 Board Meeting

1. PATS and DIPS - data from all of the Provincial Achievement Tests and Provincial Diploma exams are in from the past school year. Overall, results from our division are gradually improving. There are some areas of concern, which we will continue to examine for future action. The division’s Accountability Pillar (report card for the division) will be published on the division website.

2. September 30th enrolment count - up 29 students from predictions - hiring 0.5 teacher at Glen Avon School for high class numbers in Grade 2 – consideration also required for further computer technician support - also waiting to see how the $107 million the new premier has promised for education will flow back to divisions

3. Policy review - Role of Trustee and Role of Board Chair reviewed - School Councils will receive copies of the review schedule and the policies we have asked them to review.

4. Family School Liaison Workers – the Board will be submitting requests for partnership funding from our local municipalities - FSLW is a valuable program offering personal support for students when required.

5. TBAC (Teacher Board Advisory Committee) – the Board and the local Alberta Teachers Association have agreed to re-establish regular, informal meetings – the first meeting will take place October 25^th.

6. Tripartite Negotiations - teacher contracts come to an end in 2012 - this past summer Alberta government invited the Alberta School Boards Association and the Alberta Teachers Association to start discussions for a framework agreement (teacher wages, school board funding, term and dispute resolution) – the Board made a motion for ASBA to negotiate on its behalf for a provincial agreement - some items will remain for local bargaining

7. Superintendent’s Report:

November 23-26
Senior Girls' 3A provincials - Regional High School

October 14 at 1 pm
Ashmont Secondary Awards ceremony

October 18 at 730 pm
Two Hills Awards ceremony

October 15
ATA Retirement and Induction (St Paul)

Report Cards (starting first term this year)
All K-3 schools will use outcome-based report cards
Two Hills School, Ashmont Elementary, and Mallaig - will also be 'piloting' outcome-based reporting in grades 4-6

October 25 at 7 pm
Two Hills School Open House and presentation to parents regarding Outcome-based reporting

November 15 (pm) & 16 (am) - with exact times to be determined
Preschool Children's Fair in cooperation with local Health partners (to be advertised through local media) -  at the St. Paul Elementary School (open to all parents)
Topics: developmental screening, literacy, resiliency, FASD, and other preschool related topics

8. Education Transformation Meetings - trustees, teachers and government have been meeting in group-discussion meetings across the province to discuss the transformation of our education system – these meetings are another piece of the Inspiring Education initiative and School Act review

9. Capital Report - hazmat started at Racette; hope for construction to start before Christmas - architects shortlisted for F.G. Miller and Two Hills Mennonite

Transforming the way we learn in Alberta

I had the opportunity to take part in one of the Education Transformation meetings that Alberta Education hosted throughout all regions of the province last month. The meetings were a way to bring the three main partners - Alberta Education, Alberta Teachers Association and Alberta School Boards Association - together and discuss how we will transform our education system to meet the needs of our students in this ever-changing, global society.


At our meeting in Red Deer, there were 19 tables. Each table had local representation from all three partners in their respective school division areas. We had two trustees, an assistant superintendent, three local teachers (including our local ATA president), an Alberta Ed rep and a notetaker at our table.


The day started off with a panel discussion from leaders of all three provincial partners: Deputy Minister Kerry Henkay, ATA VP Mark Ramsanker and ASBA President Jacquie Hansen. 


The remainder of the day was divided into three sections for group discussion, each discussing three questions:


Focus Area #1: Shared Understanding/Shared Opportunity - Support for the idea of transformation as a shared process
1. What's the most important characteristic of education transformation for you?
2. If transformation is about moving from one reality to another, what does that entail?
3. Discuss the relationship enhancements that articulate a new way of working together - what do we have to change about how we relate to one another?


Focus Area #2: Moving Forward Together: Who Does What? - Shared commitment to priority items/role and responsibilities
1. If we are to collaborate on transformation, what's most important to work together on?
2. How do we define our respective roles and responsibilities in taking on these topics?
3. How do we hold one another accountable for our mutual success?


Focus Area #3: Outcome: Support for Moving Forward Together
1. What are some ways ATA, ASBA and Alberta Education can start taking action for transformation?
2. Is a plan required to guide the process? If so, what types of plans/planning are needed and who should lead their development?
3. How, when and at what levels (local/provincial) do we involve other stakeholders in the process?


These questions created great discussion at our table, and, from what we heard back from others, great discussion all around. There is no denying that these three provincial partners have not always played well in the sandbox together in the past, but this "landmark-type" meeting was a step in the right direction, from what we heard and experienced. 


There is still a long way to go, especially with the new Education Act coming out next year and all of its implications, but I strongly believe that if we keep the conversation going and continue to foster our relationships with one another, we can all succeed in building a stronger education system for our children. After all, we all have the same goal of providing the best education for our students.


We will be discussing these questions at our public board meeting tomorrow and will be bringing them forward to our local School Councils. As long as we continue pushing forward the concept of transformation at the grass roots level, I don't think this province has any choice, but to move forward.