We are excited to publish the first CSBA President’s Bulletin of 2020! Last year was busy and there are no signs that things will be slowing down for this year.
We are excited to publish the first CSBA President’s Bulletin of 2020! Last year was busy and there are no signs that things will be slowing down for this year.
The executive committee has met regularly since the October meeting, in response to identified items to keep us on top of actions and issues between Board meetings. I am proud of the consistent level of activity and dedication our members show for the Association.
Advocacy continues to be a top priority in our work. The situation is Quebec is very concerning with the passing of Bill 40. The CSBA continues to work with our partners in Quebec to raise awareness of the damage that Bill 40 will
cause to the public education system for all students, not just French majority language students. The executive director and I maintain our role in APPELLE, in support of the full democratic rights of English minority language school boards.
News from PEI is very encouraging, with the government announcing the
reinstatement of elected school boards. I have written to the Minister of Education offering support and have a meeting scheduled to assist with their reintroduction of strong governance.
I enjoyed attending QESBA, ASBA and MSBA’s Fall General Meetings, with my Vice President attending SSBA this year. It is very rewarding to connect with members and to have the opportunity to speak with trustees from provincial associations. It is heartening to experience first hand the consistent dedication and commitment of trustees, whose primary concern is the well being and achievement of children and youth.
I was pleased to present at CACE –ACACE in October in Winnipeg with Alan Campbell and Kim Hamilton about our cross-country advocacy and efforts underway to promote, engage and protect public representation and good governance in education.
I participated in a meeting with trustees in Yellowknife January 21st by video, to introduce CSBA and talk about shared priorities. I shared a cross-country overview on education governance at OPSBA’s Public Education Symposium in January as well, with Michael Barrett, OPSBA and Paul Wozney, Nova Scotia Teachers Union.
Based on the decisions of the Board in October following input from trustees at Congress 2019, the executive completed the updated 2019-2023 CSBA strategic plan and vetted it through the Strategic Planning Work Team. The Board has signed off on the detailed plan, and an abbreviated version is on the website. The four strategic area pillars are:
- Advocacy
- Indigenous Education
- Trustee Development
- Health
Some goals include:
- CSBA is the national voice in issues that are important to education -continued growth in profile.
- Member associations are supported in their advocacy work.
- Indigenous Education work continues to be advanced – with a focus on promoting information sharing and relationships through leveraging provinces and partners.
- Members and partners are aware of the CSBA Indigenous Education work.
- Specific health education issues are addressed: Vaping, student transportation, cannabis.
Trustees have access to a CSBA on-line Trustee Development Program that leads to a certificate in:
- Governance and ethics
- Indigenous Education
- Finance
- Advocacy
- Trustee Induction
- Trustees and student achievement
I look forward to our continued work on behalf of trustees across the country, and the students we all serve.
Yours in education,
Laurie French