I am honoured to serve as President of the Canadian School Boards Association. A Board of Directors, comprised of the President of each provincial association, governs the Association. Together, we advocate for priorities that are common throughout Canada.
The level of personal commitment of trustees across Canada in support of strong governance to ensure student success for all children is obvious. As the oldest form of democratically elected representatives with sole responsibility for the education of our children, communities have elected school board trustees to ensure local needs are understood. Now, more than ever, we need to cooperate nationally to speak with one voice on behalf of local communities, and demonstrate the value and integrity of school boards in all jurisdictions.
As Canadians, we have many more similarities than differences, and together we can work with governments to strengthen alliances to build on the education system, not break it down, as has sadly been the case in some provinces. Together we have the strength to influence policies and funding, and to learn how to continue work on the calls to action of the TRC, creating safe and inclusive learning environments, and sharing in leading education practices.
The CSBA will renew its strategic plan in the coming year, and I hope to hear from you how we can best serve the interests of school boards across Canada to strengthen communication and advocacy that reflect current issues in education and the needs of children and youth into the future.
Yours in education,
Laurie French
President, CSBA
