School Divisions, Public Speaking out Against Bill 64 Education Minister Defends Changes

Winnipeg - 02/06/2021 Page : H003

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 2 | 2021 LOCAL NEWS THE HERALD 3 School divisions, public speaking out against Bill 64 Education minister defends changes

BY SHELDON BIRNIE STAFF REPORTER RIVER EAST TRANSCONA ELMWOOD

Th e River East Transcona School Division’s board of trustees has made its concerns with the province’s education reform bill clear in an open letter to Premier Brian Pallister. On May 20, board chair Jerry Sodomlak wrote the premier on behalf of the board to request the province pull Bill 64, also known as the ‘Education Modernization Act.” “Th e expansive and regressive reforms proposed in the bill will set the provision of quality of public education in eventual peril at the expense of children, the future of Manitoba,” Sodomlak, board chair and a trustee for Ward 1 of the RETSD, wrote. “Th e governance structure outlined in Bill 64 is Photo by Sheldon Birnie anti-democratic and an example of a failed The provincial NDP have distributed over 2,200 “FightBill64” lawn signs across Manitoba. The provincial Liberals and the Manitoba structure attempted in other provinces, such Teachers’ Society, among other groups, also have similar signs available for download or ordering on their websites. as in P.E.I.” If approved, the bill, which was fi rst tabled would save any money. the opposition education critic, has been press time, while the provincial NDP had in March, would do away with school boards “As an amalgamated division in 2002, we vocal in his opposition to Bill 64 since it was delivered over 2,200 province wide. Th e across the province, with the exception of have fi rst-hand experience of the exponen- tabled back in March. provincial Liberal party and MTS also have the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine, tial expenses as a result, with conservative “Th ere is universal condemnation of similar lawn and window signs available among other changes. Instead, the province estimates of over $3 million additional an- Bill 64, the Education Modernization Act,” from their websites. would set up an education authority, which nual costs,” Sodomlak wrote. Altomare told Th e Herald, “because it simply “People care about their local schools, and would oversee 15 regional advisory groups. “I wouldn’t frame this as an amalgama- doesn’t refl ect the views of Manitobans as with the removal of locally elected offi cials, Winnipeg’s six school divisions will be con- tion,” Cullen replied. “I would frame this as a expressed in the recently completed K-12 community writ large is being carved out of solidated into one region, representing over restructuring of how we deliver this in Mani- Education review.” the decision making process,” he said. “Th e 100,000 students. Changes would come into toba. We have 37 school divisions, a lot of Residents are making their opposition Provincial Education Authority is answer- eff ect by July 1, 2022. duplication in services. We see a cost saving to Bill 64 public. Altomare, a former school able only to their political masters and will “I appreciate that change can be diffi cult,” in administration, going to shared services principal and educator within RETSD, said certainly be challenged to ensure local voice Cliff Cullen, minister of education, told model we can fi nd some savings there.” his offi ce alone had delivered “FightBill64” is responded to and heard.” Th e Herald. “I appreciate some of the ideas Th e Manitoba Teachers’ Society has also lawn signs to 75 residences in Transcona at around changes that relate to school divi- come out in opposition to the bill, citing the sions and school trustees, specifi cally. Th e appointment structure that replaces demo- fact is the roles and responsibility of school cratically elected trustees as one of many NEWS IN BRIEF household member who is symptomatic, trustees has changed.” points of contention. that the entire household must self- Th e River East Transcona School Division Cullen refuted the idea that the changes isolate pending COVID-19 test results. is not alone in publicly expressing concerns contained in bill 64 are undemocratic. For information on self-isolation, visit about how the bill will impact schools across “We have currently about 300 elected COPING WITH manitoba.ca/covid19/fundamentals/self- the province. Th e board of trustees for the trustees,” Cullen said. Bill 64 would “replace isolation.html Winnipeg School Division, which includes those trustees community elected councils • Drive-Th ru Testing Site – 1066 Nairn schools throughout Elmwood, issued a in our local schools to provide advisory ca- COVID-19 Ave. (Open daily 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). CORONA VIRUS lengthy response to the bill on April 30. pacity to principals, which will result in over For more information, visit: “It appears Minister Cullen doesn’t have 3,000 elected people at the end of the day.” • Government of Canada COVID-19 any understanding of the real cost of class- While Cullen said he welcomes debate on NORTHEAST information: https://bit.ly/2J1SRzA room education,” the 23-page document education, he expressed frustration with the • Province of Manitoba COVID-19 infor- states, in response to the assertion that the way Bill 64 has been framed. COVID-19 info for mation: www.gov.mb.ca/covid19 modernization act will save the province $40 “What I don’t appreciate is boards and • City of Winnipeg COVID-19 informa- million. unions trying to fear monger and misrepre- northeast Winnipeg tion: https://winnipeg.ca/emergweb/co- Sodomlak and the RETSD board also sent what we’re trying to do,” Cullen said. Public health offi cials remind anyone vid-19/default.stm questioned the suggestion that the changes Nello Altomare, MLA for Transcona and who is symptomatic of COVID-19, or has a — Staff