Local news delivered daily to your email inbox. Subscribe for FREE to the rdnewsNOW newsletter.

Province begins consultations for possible School Act changes

Sep 6, 2017 | 5:18 PM

The Province of Alberta has started consulting with school boards and parents to discuss a number of potential changes to the School Act.

Some of the issues at hand include transportation, fees, and ways to help protect and improve education in the province.

The engagement sessions kicked off in Red Deer Wednesday with Education Minister David Eggen on hand to provide opening remarks and answer questions.

Discussions will surround potential amendments to the School Act, which is legislation that has been in place governing education in Alberta for nearly thirty years. The School Act sets the goals, roles and responsibilities of Alberta’s K-12 education system.

Some of the topics to be featured during the gatherings are those that have been identified by school boards, First Nations leaders, and other stakeholders.

“Our government is working to making life better for students and their families. We committed that we would look at our current busing model and other areas of importance as we work to protect and improve education,” said Eggen in a press release.

Eggen added that the School Act has served Alberta’s students well for its time and that continued work going forward will ensure that education legislation continues to serve students as they prepare for their futures.

Adriana LaGrange, president of the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association (ACSTA) and Trustee for Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, expressed excitement for the consultations.

“The Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association appreciates the efforts by Alberta Education to continue its stakeholder engagement and consultation process. We look forward to the upcoming series of consultations and discussions regarding proposed changes to regulations and legislation relating to education.”

LaGrange also said that the ACSTA has been actively engaged in the process and is prepared to continue to represent their members in this important work of updating and revising the School Act.

Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta president Arlene Hrynyk said they have been actively engaged in discussions regarding the School Act since 2009. She added they “are very pleased to see the act open for amendment.”

Hrynyk said the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta believes in local autonomy and that they are pleased to see the school boards invited to participate in the consultation process.

“I know our members’ wisdom will prove to be invaluable as we work collectively to shape public education in Alberta.”

School boards are interested in the issues as they directly impact the delivery of education, said Mary Martin, president of the Alberta School Boards Association.

“We are looking forward to the opportunity to inform the direction that legislative change might take and to provide valuable input into the process in the best interest of Alberta families and their children.”