THE YEAR IN REVIEW 2018/19 Cover Photo: Students from the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board P a g e | 3 Our Mission Inspired by the Gospel, the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association provides the provincial voice, leadership and service for elected Catholic school trustees to promote and protect publicly funded Catholic education in Ontario. Our Vision Ontario is enriched by a publicly funded Catholic education system governed by locally elected Catholic school trustees who serve with faith, commitment and compassion. Beverley Eckensweiler Nick Milanetti President Executive Director Message from the President This OCSTA 2018-19 Year in Review is as always prepared for a very distinct audience – the Catholic school trustees at Ontario’s 29 publicly funded English Catholic school boards. Throughout the year, the work addressed by OCSTA is done with the focused intent of supporting and advancing the priorities of this province’s Catholic school boards. While needs and priorities vary depending on the region of the province, size of the board, local economy and demographics, one thing remains constant, and that is our commitment to promoting and protecting our Catholic schools. That very distinctive perspective is reflected in all we do as your Association. OCSTA addresses the issues affecting Catholic education and the particular needs of Catholic trustees who have been elected to govern Catholic boards, advocate on behalf of Catholic education, and represent the interests of constituents. Following the 2018 fall municipal election, we were pleased to congratulate all re-elected and newly elected Catholic trustees. Assuming the role of Catholic Trustee is quite a responsibility – one recognized by the founders of this Association 89 years ago. At that time, trustees came to the realization that to affect the kind of change needed to support the growth of Catholic schools and fulfill the promise of Catholic education, more provincial support was needed. This Association was formed in 1930 with the intent of fulfilling those goals by developing a unified and influential provincial lobby for publicly funded Catholic education in Ontario. Through persistent, faith-filled advocacy by this Association and the Catholic community, we eventually realized full funding of our schools and consistent provincial support for our system that continues to this day. Reaching Out Across Ontario Since beginning my term last April, I have had the pleasure of travelling to various regions across the province to meet with Catholic trustees within their local schools and boards. The experience has been deeply rewarding, providing me with first-hand insight into the various ways our trustees and boards connect with staff, students, parishes, local residents, organizations and businesses to contribute in positive ways to the community around them. Trustees know how integral publicly funded Catholic schools are to the life of this province. Our schools are regularly in the news celebrating their outstanding academic and athletic achievements. They are recognized locally and internationally for their efforts in raising public service awareness and taking action on social justice issues, and they are faithful parish members engaged in everything from the preparation of the sacraments to parish celebrations. This snapshot of Catholic education coupled with the funding, curriculum and political priorities of the day are at the core of what OCSTA communicates to the government and political representatives at Queen’s Park. Every few weeks I travel to Toronto to meet with MPPs, government officials and staff to discuss these priorities on your behalf. During these discussions, I also gain a deeper understanding of MPPs perspectives regarding our Catholic school P a g e | 1 system. The 2018 provincial election brought in many new MPPs, some of whom are not overly familiar with publicly funded Catholic schools. Our meetings with these MPPs provides an opportunity to highlight the distinctive attributes of Catholic schools and to point out the extensive breadth of support for the Catholic education within their ridings. I encourage all trustees to find the opportunities to meet with their local MPPs as much as possible. If you visit our campaign website – www.togetherinfaith.ca – you will find messaging and communication materials that you can download and use to support your discussions with MPPs. When our elected officials understand the success, the value and the support enjoyed by publicly funded Catholic schools in their constituencies, they are not only more informed but more likely to be vocal supporters of Catholic education in Ontario. This report will set out for you the key work of OCSTA, which includes an overview of: OCSTA’s Finance Brief recommendations – the association’s key document for advancing the financial priorities of Catholic school boards in Ontario; 2019 collective bargaining preparations - OCSTA is the official employer bargaining agent in the provincial bargaining process; OCSTA’s legislative and political advocacy program; Professional courses, modules and resources developed specifically to support Catholic Trustees; OCSTA’s communications and promotions initiative; The 2018-19 conference and seminar program – including trustee awards. One of the benefits of an OCSTA membership is the opportunity it offers for trustees to meet in person with one another. I appreciate the opportunity our events offer for Catholic trustees from across Ontario to connect as peers and to worship together as a community. Given the unique opportunities and challenges we face as Catholic trustees, it is a blessing to be able to meet at these central events, share our experiences and ultimately gain strength from one another. I hope that you find this report to be helpful and that it serves to support you in the work you do each day as a guardian, steward and advocate for Catholic education. God Bless. Beverley Eckensweiler President P a g e | 2 Stephen Lecce, PC MPP and Parliamentary Political Advocacy and Assistant to the Premier Rodd Phillips, Minister of the Environment Partnerships Gilles Bisson, NDP MPP (Timmins-James Bay) STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Enhance political advocacy Marit Stiles, Education Critic, NDP for publicly funded Catholic education in Ontario by Kathleen Wynne, Education Critic, building positive new relationships and reinforcing Liberal Party of Ontario existing ones with provincial and local politicians, government officials, education partners and the Indira Naidoo-Harris, former Minister of Education media. and Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care Director of Legislative and Political Affairs: Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario and Minister of Stephen Andrews Intergovernmental Affairs Andrew Davis, Ministry of Education As the provincial voice for Catholic education in Josh Paul, Ministry of Education Ontario, OCSTA advocates on behalf of all 29 Catholic school boards. A key part of this work Martyn Beckett, Ministry of Education. involves informing senior government officials, MPPs from all political parties, and the broader Through these meetings, OCSTA continues to Catholic community about the contributions, value advance the policy and regulatory issues of concern and priorities of Catholic school boards across to our Catholic school boards, which include: Ontario. Student transportation funding Since the election of the new Progressive Information technology and broadband Conservative government in June 2018, OCSTA services developed and implemented a comprehensive Special education and student mental health government relations strategy to articulate and funding advance Catholic education in Ontario. A key aspect Sick leave costs of this strategy is to continue to build relationships School board autonomy and flexibility with senior government officials, MPPs, cabinet Capital funding ministers, and leaders of all major political parties. Throughout 2018 and into 2019, OCSTA staff and President Beverley Eckensweiler met with political staff, MPPs, and senior staff in the Ministry of Education, Treasury Board, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Following is a list of some of the MPPs and government leaders who met with OCSTA during the past year: Lorne Coe, PC MPP (Whitby-Oshawa) Bruce Rodrigues, former Deputy Minister of Education (L-R) Nick Milanetti, Executive Director, President Beverley Nancy Naylor, Deputy Minister of Education Eckensweiler, Hon. Michael Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Education Culture & Sport, Michelle Griepsma, Vice-President Mitzie Hunter, Former Minister of Education Sam Oosterhoff, PC MPP (Niagara West- Glanbrook), Parliamentary Assistant, Ministry of Education Bill Walker, PC MPP (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound) P a g e | 3 Legislative Advocacy Lobby Day 2018 To inform and have impact on the development of legislation in Ontario, OCSTA presents submissions to standing committees and other areas of the government developing legislation that will affect Catholic education in Ontario. OCSTA presented the following submissions to the government of Ontario: 1. Class Size Engagement Guide & Ontario School Boards Hiring Practices Consultation (Feb. 20, 2019) 2. Bill 48, Safe & Supportive Classrooms Act, 2018 (Feb. 14, 2019) 3. 2019 Pre-Budget Consultation (Jan. 28, 2019) 4. Submission to the Minister of Education – Engagement: 2019-2020 Education Funding Guide (Dec. 13, 2018) 5. Partners in Excellence: Balancing