School Boards? Why?
by David Biltek
Given that today is the first day of school, I thought it appropriate to spend some time on School Trustees.
Most people run for political office at whatever level because they want to make a contribution to the community, province or country. (yes I know there are some cynics among us who would feel that politicians only want contributions from our pockets, but as I said they are cynics!).
I believe people who run for school boards also want to make a contribution or make a difference. The question I have though is what do you do as a school trustee?, or what can you do that is significant? What can you do that will make a difference?
Lets look at a few areas that might be of interest to a school trustee:
Curriculum: No, curriculum is the jurisdiction of the Dept. of Education, a provincial area of responsibility. You might make suggestions but the final decisions are in the hands the education experts in the department.
School Buildings: no again, new buildings, even major renovation require the PRE approval of the province…even the planning of one, hiring an architect or planner requires provincial government approval.
Okay so how about lowering class size , seems like a good idea?…well you would have to hire more teachers, But you do NOT control the revenue; the province determines how much money you have to spend. You could hire more teachers and have small class sizes and maybe do without caretakers, or principals or heaven forbid Board member remuneration, but that is about the extent of the options you have.
Of course….they can negotiate with the teachers union, as the Province advises them to do from time to time, but frankly since the Boards do not control the revenue or the budgets…how significant can the negotiations be?
Well maybe you decide to improve the leadership and management of the entire system….good idea, but just so long as the Province approves the Superintendent you want to appoint.
So, can’t touch curriculum, can’t build schools, can’t hire more teachers, can’t appoint management…so other than attending conferences what is there for school Boards to do? Of course when you ask Catholic Trustees this question, their immediate response is: defend the faith, defend our right to have a Catholic school system. even though that right is secured by our constitution. Essentially all the Catholic Trustees can do is to stymie any attempt to cooperate and share resources with the Public systems.
Don’t confuse what I am saying, I am not criticizing individual members of the Boards. I think they are sincere.
I just wonder….what can they do without provincial government approval? and why would anyone want to be a school trustee?
Maybe someone who has served on a Board will provide some answers? Maybe a provincial Cabinet Minister can make an observation.
Community and Politics 
David I think that school trustees can change policies, for example the one that I am looking at is the ability to rehire already retired teachers and I think having to pay them at a higher rate. I am gravely concerned for the young teachers who cannot even get into the school system other than subbing occasionally. I know too many teachers who in frustration have given up their passion to teach because they cannot manage on a substitute salary. If this school division changed their school policy on hiring already retired teachers it would give this next generation a break.
David,
As a former trustee and board chairman, I can identify with the points that you make. To a degree. What matters to trustees is the fact that they are as close, if not closer to the voting public in their own communities than any other order of government. Trustees have the ability, through learning and guidance from the education professionals in their districts, to understand the issues and challenges presented when the province dabbles in the delivery of education, the managing of budgets, priority setting for capital projects and even such things as changes to the school act. It is trustees that can talk to their local constituents and explain to them the consequences of government decisions. They can mobilize the citizenry to make their own decisions about whether or not they like what they’re hearing and do something about it. We all know how MLAs love to hear from their constituents more so than their trustees. It’s all about caring about education in your community and defending it.
And in the meantime, trustees work with the administration to assess the decisions that have to be made when budget cuts hit, or school building
priorities are ignored, etc. Trustees are the eyes and the ears of their publics and they ensure that decisions made by administration will be acceptable in the community.
Enough said for now. Thanks for starting the debate. I look forward to reading the thoughts of others. Especially those who are considering trusteeship for the upcoming four-year term.
Clyde Blackburn