I am once again honoured to serve as CSBA President for the 2020- 2021 year, continuing to advance action in support of school boards across Canada. I would like to thank the Board of Directors for their continued support and leadership.
School boards throughout the country are fortunate to have such talented and dedicated trustees to lead their associations and to represent them nationally.
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to welcome Carolyn Broady to the executive as CSBA Vice President. Carolyn is chair of the SD45 (West Vancouver) Board of Education and Vice President of the British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA). A mother of two teenage children, Carolyn is passionate about public education and believes that we need to continue to work to ensure that every student in our K-12 system gets the support and individualized attention they need to reach their full potential.
I would also like to acknowledge the contribution and leadership of Alain Fortier. Alain was president of the Fédération des commissions scolaires du Québec, and Vice President of CSBA, departing after the negative consequences to education democracy resulting from the decision of the Quebec government to eliminate majority Francophone school boards. Alain was a champion for bilingualism in our organization and democratic representation in public education and he will be missed at our table.
The 2021 AGM took place virtually on October 2, 2020. I am very pleased to share with you the Annual Report, which outlines the work and leadership of the CSBA in the past year. I encourage you to check it out on our website.
The following months will continue to be challenging for everyone as we navigate through our new world with COVID-19. I would like to commend the work of all members of the education community, including volunteers and school staff, who are so dedicated to serving students.
Yours in education,
Laurie French