b'Manitoba UpdateCSBA Annual Report 2025It has been a very busy year here in Manitoba!Fall Regional MeetingsBetween October 26 and November 2, 2024 MSBA reverted to its historical practice of hosting meetings for each of our 6 regions either remotely or in locations across the province. The regional meetings were well attended andprovided an important opportunity for discussion of priorities. We heard from local Members of the Legislative Assembly in many communities we visited; and engaged our memberships interest in the adoption of a new learning management system for online delivery of our associations professional development and training. This year we achieved our maximum of 30 resolutions inpreparation for our spring convention so that was certainly an exciting process too. From funding for playgroundsthrough to clarification of funding mandates for health and clinical services, we were not disappointed by the rangeof quality proposals that our members drafted this year!Throne SpeechOn November 19, 2024, MSBA received its standing invitation to attend the provincial throne speech. An important development was specifically announced relating to school boards. Our Governments focus on foreign interference in elections led to the introduction of a new election campaign finance law pertaining to school boards. Across Canada, Manitobas schoolThrone Speech: Her Honour the Honourableboards remained among the last to have such provisions applied. Under theAnita R. Neville, P.C., O.M. Lieutenantnew legislation, candidates who fund campaigns through donations mustGovernor of Manitobaprovide accounts of those contributions and must not receive any corporate donations.Teacher complaint registry and commissionIn early January, 2025 the Government of Manitoba established an online registry of all teachers (going back to the earliest certification records held by the Department of Education), while also establishing a ministerially appointed teacher commissioner to receive complaints from the public. This commissioner also has authority to review all future cases involving prospective suspension or cancellation of a teachers certificate. MSBA was named as the sole representative on hearings panels on the employer side. All certified teachers are subject to this new process including public, independent, and First Nation school teachers.Bobbi Taillefer, TeacherBobbi Taillefer, who previously led teacher unions in Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan,Complaints Commissionerhas been appointed to serve as Manitobas first teacher complaints commissioner.Joint advocacyPrior to the holiday break, and in the early new year, MSBA coordinated with our three public education partners (consisting of superintendents,business officials, and the teachers society) to explore items of mutual interest and potential joint advocacy. Two important letters were sent by the partners because of this important work. The first spoke specifically to school capital infrastructure investment and the need for dedicated government capacity to address school capital priorities. This advocacy bore some fruit, as the Department of Education quickly followed up to confirm resumption of new school construction, which had beenplaced on hold since 2023. The second initiative achieved by the partners was an important step forward, as thepartners this year agreed to jointly submit a pre-budget consultation brief to the Ministers of Finance. Major focusunder this pre-budget brief was placed on annual funding requirements for 2025, staff and student wellness andagain, school capital infrastructure. By working together under one voice when it matters most, good things are58 unfolding in Manitoba.'