Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta President’s Report 2017 Annual General Meeting Arlene Hrynyk, President As I prepare this Report for presentation to you, I am reminded of how quickly this four‐year term has passed. It has been four years of hard work that commenced with a purposeful priority of relationships. Our relationships with each other, our communities, our Provincial Governments‐previous and current, our relationship with numerous stakeholders and ultimately, all Albertans. I believe it is fair to say we have accomplished great things together and at each fork in the road, we marched together for children first; ALL children. We have just hit a reset button as we welcome so many new faces to such important work for Public Schools and children, as well as say goodbye to so many whom have shaped Public Education to this point. However, our advocacy as locally elected Trustees, in concert with our Superintendents and staff, has never been more important or necessary. We must never stop using our voices, and we must at all times, continue to center our decisions on our children. When the Members approved the Association’s 2015 – 2018 Work Plan, it was the consensus of Members that the Association should begin with Priority Three – focus on strengthening and supporting the Association, our Members, your voices, your confidence as advocates for all of Alberta’s children. This work was followed and complimented by Priority Two – protecting and advancing Public School Board governance and local autonomy in Alberta. Our collective work within these two priorities, over this past year has allowed us to bring clarity to conversations regarding the difference between Public Education and publicly funded Education; it has enabled us to create alliances with individuals and organizations that share our values regarding Public Education; it has set out a pathway that has enabled us to begin to grow grassroots conversations about and support for our Priority One – to promote the creation of a new single Public Inclusive Education system in Alberta. The Report which follows, reflects the pathway that you our Members and our Association forged over this past year; it is a snapshot of the work I have undertaken on your behalf. The President’s Reports to the Public School Boards Council contain the details of my activities for the past four years and are available on the Association website (www.public‐schools.ab.ca). Priority Three: Strengthen & Support the Association I continued to have formal meetings and informal conversations with numerous non‐ Member Boards, Trustees and Board Chairs to garner interest in our Association and/or an opportunity to meet with them. The Association continues to extend invitations to our non‐Members for our Spring Assembly, Fall Events and Annual General Meeting. President’s Report – Annual General Meeting 2017 1 | Page We have seen an increase in non‐Member participation at these events. At our 2017 Spring General Assembly, we welcomed the following colleagues: Edmonton Public Schools: Sherry Adams; and Cheryl Johner. Elk Island Public Schools: Trina Boymook. Horizon School Division: Marie Logan; Livingstone Range School Division: Kristy Stevens; Brad Toone; Clara Yagos; and Martha Radcliffe. Following our 2017 Spring General Assembly, we were very pleased to welcome Edmonton Public Schools to the Association and have experienced the strong contributions they have been offering to our work. It is additionally valuable to have their representation on the Executive Committee. During my tenure as President I have met with every one of our Member Boards, on two or more occasions, within your respective Divisions and have absolutely enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the wonderful work that you engage in, on behalf of Alberta’s children. My sincere thanks to: Aspen View Public Schools Buffalo Trail Public Schools Chinook’s Edge School Division Canadian Rockies Public Schools Edmonton Public Schools Fort McMurray Public Schools Fort Vermilion School Division Golden Hills School Division Grande Prairie Public School District Grasslands Public Schools Grande Yellowhead Public School Division High Prairie School Division Medicine Hat School District Northern Gateway Public Schools Parkland School Division President’s Report – Annual General Meeting 2017 2 | Page Palliser Regional Schools Peace Wapiti Public School Division Pembina Hills Public Schools Prairie Rose School Division Prairie Land Regional Division Red Deer Public Schools St. Albert Public Schools Sturgeon Public School Division Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools Wild Rose School Division Wolf Creek Public Schools Each Member Board, has extended a warm welcome and offered rich conversations; the relationships I have gained and stories you have shared will stay with me – always. A Board Council Representative roles and responsibilities refresher was provided in February 2017. In addition, I continue to reach out to Member Board Trustees and representatives to offer our support and assistance as they encounter challenges. As I reflect upon the work that we collectively have undertaken with respect to strengthening and supporting our Association I believe that, as the Association moves forward, and affirms the Work Plan 2018 – 2021, it is imperative that the Association continue to build vibrant alliances with those who share our values; speak with pride about Public Education as the first choice of our communities; grow a strong and resonant voice in support of our Public Schools. It is also important for each of you to remember, that every Member of this Association is valued and every voice of our Members is valuable. Priority Two: Protect & Advance Public School Board Governance & Local Autonomy in Alberta At each meeting with every Minister and MLA, I continued to reiterate the fundamental difference between Public Education and publicly funded Education; the important work of our locally elected Public School Trustees; and the need for Government to stop funding Private Schools with tax payer dollars. In every conversation, I have highlighted the work that you engage in, within and on behalf of the children, families, staff and local communities within your care. President’s Report – Annual General Meeting 2017 3 | Page Strong emphasis is always placed on the relationships and partnerships you, our Members have built with your Municipalities, Post ‐ Secondary Institutions and community agencies as you seek educational solutions and opportunities for children through collaboration and the sharing of resources. On Thursday 23 February 2017, I was pleased to join several provincial organizations at the Public Interest Alberta event to advocate for our Association position and call for the phasing out of public funding of private schools. I want to thank you for the conversations you are having locally to support this work, and know that it is a conversation that has engaged many Albertans. Thank you to Cathy Hogg, Second Vice President, for representing the Association at the April 2017 media event that took place in Calgary. Our voices in concert with those who share our Public Education values are making a difference for our children. Over this past year, our Executive Committee, Executive Director and I have forged many new relationships with multiple stakeholders and shared our Association's messages regarding our Priority One. Public Education was well represented and Bill 1 certainly inspired many conversations around Public Education. In February 2017, I participated in Minister Ceci’s Pre‐Budget consultation. At the consultation, I shared my comments regarding the need for Government and all stakeholders to begin looking at our challenges as opportunities to bridge genuine, collaborative relationships. If we fail to do so, we will have failed our children. In February 2017 the Executive Committee, our Government Relations Consultant, Executive Director and I met with the Rural Development Committee. This Committee includes Government MLAs who represent the rural constituencies across Alberta. The meeting was an excellent opportunity for the Association to present our concerns regarding the continued fracturing of resources, communities and families as a result choice. I said to the Committee that more choice truly means less choice. I asked Committee Members to carry our concerns and messages forward to their Government colleagues. I know that the Association looks forward to meeting with the Rural Development Committee to continue this important conversation. Along with the Executive Committee and Executive Director, I attended a Caucus Pre‐Reception and the Throne Speech, as a guest of Minister Eggen. A special thanks to Rick Massini, First Vice President for his efforts and MLA Drew Barnes, Medicine Hat Cypress, who provided passes for our Executive Committee to attend as well. On 16 March 2017, I participated in Minister Eggen’s embargoed Budget Meeting with Education stakeholders; Minister Ceci’s embargoed Budget meeting and the presentation of the 2017 Provincial Budget as a guest of Minister Ceci. President’s Report – Annual General Meeting 2017 4 | Page The various receptions prior to and following the Throne Speech, as well as the reception following the 2017 Provincial Budget, were a wonderful opportunity to share conversations with the following: Government Ministers / MLAs: Hon. Rachel Notley, Premier; Hon. Sarah Hoffman, Deputy Premier, Minister of Health; Hon. Brian Mason, Minister of Infrastructure