Public School Boards’ Association of President’s Report: 2014 Annual General Meeting

2014 Annual General Meeting

President, Arlene Hrynyk

President’s Report: 2014 Annual General Meeting

In October 2013 I made the commitment to our Members that I would focus on building strong relationships, listen carefully to the wisdom of our Members and carry forward the stories of our Public Schools as we focus daily on that which is in the best interests of our children.

It has been an exciting year, full of wonderful opportunities which have enabled me to share the message that our Public Schools have and will continue to invite, celebrate and support ALL children; that our Members believe Alberta’s Public Schools are the first choice of our communities, where all of our children learn and live the values of democracy together, reflecting our hope and shaping the future of our communities.

I am honored to serve as your President and reaffirm my commitment that my work will continue to focus on that which unites all of us who proudly serve the staff, families and communities that support all children attending Alberta’s Public Schools. The Report which follows provides several highlights regarding the work I have undertaken over the past year.

Priorities One/Two: Support and Improve Public School Education/Local Governance

Meetings with Hon. J. Johnson, Minister of Education Over the past year I have met and/or spoken with the Hon. J. Johnson, Minister of Education on a number of occasions. During our conversations I have focused on the Association’s priorities including the following:

• Inspiring Education • My Child’s Learning Website • Provincial Bargaining Model • Regulatory Review • Task Force for Teaching Excellence • Infrastructure and Space Concerns • Funding for Public Schools • Effective Partnerships and Communications

I have found the meetings to be an excellent opportunity to reaffirm our ability to be solution focused, which was acknowledged by the Minister. The comfortable relationship between the Minister and our Association was noted and he expressed thanks for our work in advancing Public Education.

Finally I would like to note that I was pleased to represent our Association at the reception that the Minister hosts for Alberta Teachers Association Members, the evening prior to the ATA Annual Representatives Assembly. This was an excellent opportunity not only to connect with ATA Representatives from across Alberta but to share our Association’s belief that Public Schools are the first choice of Alberta’s communities.

Meetings with Members of the Legislative Assembly Over the past year, I have also continued to further the work and profile of the Association and our Members, in meeting with the following Ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly:

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President’s Report: 2014 Annual General Meeting

Premier David Hancock; Hon. , Deputy Premier and Minister of Advance Education and Enterprise; Hon. Manmeet S. Bhullar, Minister of Service Alberta; Hon. , President of Treasury and Minister of Finance; Hon. Rick McIver, Minister of Transportation; Hon. , Minister of Energy; Hon. George Vanderburg, Government Whip; Hon. , Associate Minister of Family and Community Safety; Hon. , Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour; MLA Mary Anne Jablonski, Deputy Chair of Committees, Red Deer North; MLA Matt Jeneroux, Edmonton Southwest; MLA Linda Johnson, Glenmore; MLA , Barrhead Morinville Westlock; MLA Genia Leskiw, Bonnyville Cold Lake; MLA , Calgary Currie; MLA , St. Albert; MLA Ken Lemke, Stony Plain; MLA Steve Young, Edmonton Riverview; MLA Brian Mason, New Democrat Opposition Leader; MLA Rachel Notley, Edmonton Strathcona, Leadership Candidate; MLA Drew Barnes, Cypress Medicine Hat; MLA Bruce McAllister, Education Critic, Her Majesty’s Official Opposition; MLA Kent Hehr, Education Critic, Alberta Liberals; and MLA Deron Bilous, Education Critic, New Democrats.

In addition to the meetings described above, I also attended the following: March 2014 Speech from the Throne March 2014 Provincial Budget Presentation and Premier’s Reception

The Association continues to be recognized as an active, solution focused organization advocating for ALL children. The work our Members are doing locally, equips me with exemplars of successes as well as challenges which I share with leaders in my discussions. It is incumbent upon us all, as proud Members of our Association, to use every opportunity with all leaders to build relationships and understanding regarding that which we as Members value for our children, schools and the communities we serve.

Priority Three: Support and Improve Association Health and Well Being

This third priority is very close to my heart, for I believe strongly that the voices of our Public School Trustees inspire and drive the important work of our Association as well as its health and well-being. The resonance and strength of our collective voices will continue to grow, only if each one of us takes the time to model for and encourage others to support the new vision for Trusteeship that I proposed to you, our Members in April 2014 (attached).

As I travelled Alberta meeting with our Member Boards, in each and every conversation I shared this Vision and asked for your feedback, comments, wisdom and assistance in shaping the Vision – so that we could build

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President’s Report: 2014 Annual General Meeting

upon the successful legacy that is Alberta’s Public Schools. Without exception, you were generous in your support of this Vision. It is however critically important that together we shape and move our Vision for Trusteeship forward. In the absence of our collective leadership, others will try to lead our work, and our Public Schools and Public School Boards will be placed in jeopardy.

Over the past year I have been privileged to meet with Member Boards including (*to be confirmed): • Northern Lights School Division (January 2014); • Pembina Hills Regional Division (February 2014); • Aspen View Public School Division (February 2014); • Palliser Regional Schools (March 2014); • Wolf Creek Public Schools (March 2014); • Fort McMurray Public Schools (March 2014); • Grasslands Public Schools (April 2014); • Wild Rose School Division (April 2014); • Red Deer Public Schools (April 2014); • Foothills School Division (April 2014); • Medicine Hat School District (September 2014); • Prairie Rose School Division (September 2014);  Golden Hills School Division* (September 2014) • Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools (September 2014); • Northland School Division (October 2014); • Peace Wapiti Public School Division (October 2014); • Grande Prairie Public School District (October 2014); and • Northern Gateway Public Schools (October 2014).

Non-Member Boards including: • Elk Island Public Schools (January 2014) • Lethbridge School District (March 2014); and • Battle River School Division (March 2014).

In the interest of strengthening our relationship with education partners, colleagues and growing greater understanding regarding the true nature of Public Education, I engaged in conversation with and / or at the following:

• Sheila Taylor, Chairperson, Calgary Board of Education; • Sarah Hoffman, Chairperson, Edmonton Public Schools; • Tony Sykora, President, Alberta Catholic School Trustees Association; • Sarafino Scarpino, Vice President, Alberta Catholic School Trustees Association; • Helen Clease, President, Alberta School Boards Association; • Rocky View School Division Representatives; • Alberta School Boards Association, Board of Directors Meetings (As Observer); • The Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities: Waffle Breakfast; • Trustees’ Associations Meeting: • Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta; • Alberta Catholic Trustees Association of Alberta;

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President’s Report: 2014 Annual General Meeting

• Federation de Conseils Scolaires Francophone de l’Alberta; and • Alberta School Boards Association. • Inspiring Education Symposium; • Alberta School Councils Association Spring Conference; • Table Officers, Alberta Teachers’ Association; • Annual Representatives Assembly, Alberta Teachers’ Association; • College of Alberta School Superintendents / Alberta Education Spring Conference; • Alberta Education Facilities Administrators Association Conference; • Task Force for Excellence in Teaching: Partners’ Dinner and Symposium; and • Provincial Bargaining Model Meetings with Alberta Education.

At our November 2013 Trustee University I, Brian Woodland reminded us that “Leaders look beyond the present to imagine what could be”. He also reminded us that “leadership is action, not position”. It is my privilege to have this opportunity to serve as your President. I look forward to continuing our conversations, as we grow greater understanding about that which we celebrate, protect and inspire each day – Alberta’s only true Public Education!

Arlene Hrynyk, President Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta

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17 April 2014

Dear Colleagues,

Today I want to share with you my work with respect to my commitment to you, our members, in November of 2013. In six (6) short months, I can say with confidence that we are at that critical juncture. I have and continue to work diligently to promote a new vision in each and every step of the work I undertake on behalf of you, and most importantly, our children. As everything in education transforms, we too must be willing to do the hard work to ensure that as elected stewards of Alberta’s Education system, we are focused on the windshield, remembering to take the occasional peek in our rear view mirror.

We, as school boards, need to be confident that we have put our best foot forward in every aspect of the system. It is our shared vision, our collective voice, and most importantly, our united ACTION that will result in the change we should BE to SEE.

In the words of Brian Woodland at our Fall 2013 Meeting, “Leaders look beyond the present to imagine what could be”. He also reminded us that “leadership is action, not position”.

In February, at a meeting with the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA), Alberta Catholic School Trustees Association (ACSTA), and Federation Conseils Scolaires Francophone de l’Alberta (FCSFA), I shared my vision for how we as Associations could work together in a more meaningful way. I feel that it is my job, to ensure that I equip our ASBA President with a clear strong understanding of what you, our members’ value. I truly feel that we have far more ability to reach consensus through our Associations, which would feed so confidently into our umbrella organization. My vision is not a vision that promotes competition, but one that models and promotes unity. It is a vision that assists us, as school boards in this province, to put our best foot forward.

We can and must use our historical experiences in losing our right to tax, or recently the tripartite framework which quickly moved to bilateral discussions, as examples of that which isn’t working. When we don’t appear united, when we don’t have a position, changes are made FOR us. Unless we, in this Association, lead in the change that must occur- the locally elected trustee and local autonomy which we cherish and celebrate; that which is the bedrock of our democracy will continue to be fragmented, until it no longer exists. We need to fail forward. We need to think outside of the box, and we need to be brave leaders to promote a new vision as we go forward for children.

In the wise words of Albert Einstein, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. We cannot continue to do the same thing. We MUST be the leaders of the system. We owe it to our public, and most importantly, we owe it to our children.

Research tells us our children are not wired the same as we are. Our work to date has assisted the children in our public schools to put voice to their diversity, whether it is ethnic, sexual orientation, or

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religious. We owe it to them to grow that voice. We owe it to them to challenge the status quo, just like they are. We owe it to our children to grow with THEIR voice. As the role models for the children of this earth who are watching us, are our actions reflective of that which we wish them to see? Our children are counting on us.

In addition, as we continue to make tough financial decisions, looking at our every dollar, to ensure we are performing the functions of that which our public elected us to do, we must also look at new alternatives to doing that work in a larger more productive way, enhancing our work, without added costs.

We, as the Public School Boards Association, do not put just one language first, we do not put one faith first, we place all languages and faiths and differences first because we put CHILDREN FIRST! That is who the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta is! We welcome and celebrate the rich diversity of all our children in our Public Schools.

I have spent the last six (6) months listening to you and learning from you, our members. In addition, I have applied my thirteen (13) years as a trustee, and involvement and learning in my other leadership roles- as a basis point of determining that which I believe is working, and that which I believe isn’t.

As the important work of the ASBA Task Force in Strengthening the Voice of School Boards occurs, we must be prepared to consider how we, in this Association, can assist in that work. We must voice all of our ideas.

What if Provincial issues were filtered through the three Associations – PSBAA, ACSTA and FCSFA – with the clear purpose of seeking a position on the issue, and directing that position back to the umbrella organization of ASBA? Would this allow for a stronger position and more nimble process for all school boards? Would this model be respectful of our resources and not incur additional costs to Boards by traditional means of gathering sixty-two (62) Board Chairs who are not granted the authority to vote on behalf of their corporate Board, at such a meeting?

Would Alberta School Boards appear more united if our umbrella Association considered all School Board Associations as equal and critical partners? Would the consideration of perhaps having four (4) Vice Presidents of ASBA – to represent ACSTA, FCSFA, PSBAA and Metro lend itself to unity and strong policy positions?

Could having the ACSTA, FCSFA, and PSBAA as active participants on the ASBA Board of Directors be more beneficial than the current structure of Observers only? Would this enhance our voices for all of our children? Are we not all School Boards?

Through this lens, could professional development be delivered in a manner which would attend to the needs of our diverse interests as Associations? Could there be PD opportunities to honour the FCSFA, ACSTA and PSBAA at our ASBA AGMs? Could we work together better to achieve this? We each, as true partner Associations could organize the PD for these events for what our members deem as important

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and cutting edge. Would this model would also allow for us all to broaden our own understanding of each other, and allow for each to access the varying PD opportunities if we so choose?

I respectfully present my vision to you for consideration, conversation and support. As I stated earlier, I believe it is imperative we as School Boards move forward as innovative and critical thinkers, with solution focused ideas.

A very wise man told me at a very early age, you can choose to be a positive influence, a negative influence, or no influence at all. Will you stand with me, and be a positive influence for change for our children? Will you, our wise and valued members, work together to put our best foot forward?

Arlene Hrynyk, President Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta

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