[Received February 22, 2018]
Minister Fleming to President Swan:
“Thank you for your letter dated December 18, 2017, requesting trustee inclusion on the funding model review panel…”
Media Release: BCSTA Response to the 2018 Provincial Budget
[Vancouver, B.C. – February 20, 2018] Today’s provincial budget appears to have delivered a stable year ahead for British Columbia’s sixty public school districts, along with some significant improvements in funding for future capital construction projects.
The British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA) recognizes the importance of balanced budgets for our province, but supports increased spending on K-12 public education as a wise investment on behalf of both taxpayers and families.
Continue Reading “Media Release: BCSTA Response to the 2018 Provincial Budget”
Advocacy: Review of BCPSEA Governance
[Received February 19, 2018]
Minister Fleming to President Swan and Board Members:
“Please accept my appreciation for BCSTA’s positive engagement and significant contribution to the review of the public sector employer association’s governance…”
Advocacy: Return of Elected Trustees to the Board
[Received February 14, 2018]
BCPSEA CEO Del Negro to President Swan:
“Thank you for your letter of January 30, 2018. The process is now underway to formally bring into effect the amendments to the bylaws pursuant to the motion adopted by the BCPSEA members…”
Media Release: BCSTA Responds to B.C. Government’s Throne Speech
[Vancouver, B.C. – February 14, 2018] On Tuesday, February 13, 2018, the government’s speech from the throne highlighted the need for British Columbia to invest in our children and youth. To quote from the speech: “Education is the great equalizer. From young students eager to learn, to adults training to earn the skills they need to join the workforce, an investment in education is an investment in our future.”
It was left unclear, however, how these words will translate into tangible action by the current government.
Continue Reading “Media Release: BCSTA Responds to B.C. Government’s Throne Speech”
Advocacy: Decision to Eliminate NS Boards
[Sent February 5, 2018]
President Swan to the Minister Churchill:
“On behalf of the BCSTA, and the 60 member boards of education we represent, I wish to share our collective disappointment in recent developments stemming from decisions made by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development…”
Advocacy: Feedback on Draft Funding Formula Principles
[Received January 25, 2018]
Deputy Minister MacDonald to President Swan:
“Thank you for your letter dated January 17, 2018, regarding your response to the draft funding formula principals. We appreciate your partnership in developing these principals…”
BCSTA Annual General Meeting – First Look
Working Together for Successful Student Transition
April 26-29, 2018
Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, Richmond, BC (map)
Continue Reading “BCSTA Annual General Meeting – First Look”
Media Release: BCSTA Supports Chilliwack School District’s Decision
[Vancouver – January 19, 2018] In response to the media statement from the Chilliwack School Board today calling for the resignation of a trustee from their board, BCSTA President Gordon Swan shared the following statement.
“As trustees, we take an oath ‘not to allow any private interest to influence my conduct in public matters’ and it is imperative that a public school trustee represent and protect the safety of all students. When one allows personal beliefs to infringe on their ability to do so, and when those beliefs conflict with the policies of the board that they represent along with the laws that govern the province, there are consequences. In this case, it has resulted in a loss of confidence from the Chilliwack Board of Education and the Minister of Education in the trustee’s ability to adequately fulfil the duties of office that he was elected to perform. The BCSTA supports the Chilliwack board’s decision as it has become apparent that this has proven to be a distraction for the board in running the school district and focusing on student achievement for all students in the district.”
Continue Reading “Media Release: BCSTA Supports Chilliwack School District’s Decision”
Advocacy: School Property Use Conflicts
[Received January 8, 2018]
A/Deputy Minister McCrea to BCTF President Hansman:
“Thank you for your letter dated November 27, 2017, to the Honourable Rob Fleming, Minister of Education, regarding the use of school property by organizations whose views may conflict with the BC Human Rights Code…”