PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARDS’ ASSOCIATION OF ALBERTA President’s Report to the 2013 Annual General Assembly President Dittrick President’s Report to the 2013 Annual General Assembly This has been an exciting year of travel, engaging conversations and continued advocacy on behalf of children attending Alberta’s public schools. The summary which follows offers a highlight of the work I have undertaken on behalf of our members, within the context of the Association’s three Work Plan Priorities: Priority One: Support and Improve Public School Education Priority Two: Support and Improve Local Governance Priority Three: Support and Improve the Association’s Health and Well Being Priorities One/Two: Support and Improve Public School Education/Local Governance Meetings with the Minister of Education Over the past year I have had the pleasure of meeting with the Hon. J. Johnson, Minister of Education on a number of occasions. At these meetings we covered a number of discussion points including: a. Education Act (Bill 3), including: i. Section 52: Shared Transportation Service Agreements; ii. Section 32: Clarification regarding the provision which states “parent as primary decision maker.” iii. The Constitutional limitations regarding access to separate school education as articulated within the Constitution Act of 1867; and iv. The critical importance, value and impact of Local Board autonomy and authority, including the need for all levels of Government to recognize and support this. b. Natural Person Powers / Trustee Eligibility/ Separate School Establishment; c. Regulatory Development Process and our Association’s policy positions regarding same; d. Other matters of mutual concern. I have found the meetings to be open, productive and positive. Meetings with Members of the Legislative Assembly Over the past year, I have continued to further the work and profile of the Association /our Members, in meeting with the following Ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly: Government Premier Alison Redford Hon. Thomas Lukaszuk, Deputy Premier and Minister of Advanced Education and Enterprise Hon. Manmeet S. Bhullar, Minister of Service Alberta Hon. Robin Campbell, Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Deputy House Leader Hon. Wayne Drysdale, Minister of Infrastructure Hon. David Hancock, Q.C., Minister of Human Services, Government House Leader You can’t leave a footprint that lasts if you’re always walking on tiptoe. Marion Blakely Page 1 President’s Report to the 2013 Annual General Assembly Hon. Doug Horner, President of Treasury and Minister of Finance Hon. Jeff Johnson, Minister of Education Hon. Diana McQueen, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Hon. Sandra Jansen, Associate Minister of Family and Community Safety Ron Casey, Chair, Rural Caucus Christine Cusanelli, MLA Calgary Currie David Dorward, MLA Edmonton Gold Bar Mary Anne Jablonski, Deputy Chair of Committees, Red Deer North Matt Jeneroux, MLA Edmonton Southwest Linda Johnson, MLA Calgary Glenmore Stephen Kahn, MLA St. Albert Maureen Kubinec, MLA Barrhead Morinville Westlock Ken Lemke, MLA Stony Plain Genia Leskiw, MLA Bonnyville Cold Lake George Rogers, Deputy Speaker, Leduc Beaumont Steve Young, Government Whip David Gowland, Chief of Staff, Minister of Energy Official Opposition Bruce McAllister, Education Critic Wild Rose Caucus New Democrat Deron Bilous, MLA, Edmonton Beverly Clareview Independent Mike Allen, MLA, Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo In addition to the meetings described above, I also attended the following: 23 October 2012 Technical Briefing Bill 3: Education Act 23 October 2012 First Reading Bill 3: Education Act October / November 2012 Second Reading / Committee of the Whole Bill 3: Education Act 20 November 2012 Third Reading Bill 3: Education Act 07 March 2013 Provincial Budget and Premier’s Reception 26 June 2013 MLA Regulatory Review Committee Meeting You can’t leave a footprint that lasts if you’re always walking on tiptoe. Marion Blakely Page 2 President’s Report to the 2013 Annual General Assembly Priority Three: Support and Improve Association Health and Well Being This last priority has provided the Executive Director and I, the opportunity to meet with Member Boards and other partners including: Buffalo Trail Public Schools (November 2012) Edmonton Public Schools (December 2012) Pembina Hills Regional Division (November 2012 / June 2013) Northern Gateway Public Schools (March 2013) Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools (May 2013) Wolf Creek Public Schools (June 2013) Prairie Land Regional Division (June 2013) Medicine Hat Public Schools (August 2013) Association for Responsible Trusteeship in Edmonton Schools (ARTES) (March 2013) CASS/ Alberta Education Conference (April 2013) Alberta Education Facilities Administrators Association Conference (May 2013) Wayne McNeil, Co-Founder, RESPECT Group Inc. (June 2013) The Association of Alberta Public Charter Schools (June 2013) Public Section, Saskatchewan School Boards (June 2013) Alberta School Boards Association Executive (June 2013) Public School Trustee Candidates (August, September, October 2013) It has been my privilege to have served as your President for the past four years. My sincere thanks to each of you for your support, your wisdom, your courage and your commitment to our children attending Alberta’s Public Schools. Your leadership as Public School Trustees does have a positive and lasting impact on Alberta’s children – you, my friends and colleagues have changed the world. Patty Dittrick President You can’t leave a footprint that lasts if you’re always walking on tiptoe. Marion Blakely Page 3 .