Concerned about changes in education proposed by the provincial government, the School Community Councils (SCC) of the Good Spirit School Division is requesting residents also concerned about the effects of the changes to sign a petition to that effect.
“The School Community Councils (SCC) from the Good Spirit School Division would like to inform you of the imminent changes coming to your school, and your community,” said a release from 19 SCCs.
“The Saskatchewan government is looking to make changes to the structure of our school boards and school divisions,” the release said. “The Educational Governance Review Report (http://publications.gov.sk.ca/documents/11/96975-Perrins-Governance-Review-Report.pdf) has proposed four options.”
Following is a breakdown of these options:
Option 1, This would consolidate the current 18 existing divisions into a single provincial school division. It would make this single board responsible for managing 606 Public Schools, which translates into 173,548 students and 16,900 staff. Division board members would no longer be elected, but appointed.
Option 2, This is a more regional model where there would be four divisions created provincewide. The division board members are also appointed, not elected.
Option 3, Here there are two directions to choose from. Option 3a would also restructure the divisions in order to reduce the amount from the current 18 to between eight and 14 divisions. All student demographics, all geographic elements, and all transportation routes will be taken into consideration. This option implies elected division boards. Option 3b would realign the boundaries in support of community interests. It is implied that the government would consult with the divisions to ascertain what the community interests and/or needs are. It is also implied that division boards would be elected.
The SCCs of the Good Spirit School Division support the Option 3b, as described in the Educational Governance Review(http://publications.gov.sk.ca/documents/11/96975-Perrins-Governance-Review-Report.pdf).
“It is the least disruptive to the province, and to our schools and communities,” the release said. “We are firm believers of the democratic process and want our division board members to be elected and accountable to the community.
“We are concerned that with options 1, 2, and even 3a, we will lose our individuality. In addition, we are concerned about the effects these other options will have on our schools and communities if we lose our local representation.”
The release says that the intent of the information is to ensure that parents and community members are aware of the imminent changes that will affect their children’s education and school experience.
“If these changes concern you as much as they concern us, let your voice join ours so we can be heard together,” it says. “Please sign and comment on our petition, voice your concerns.”
One may reach the petition on the Internet by going to www.change.org and searching for: Amalgamation of the Education System in Saskatchewan. It’ll be about the seventh one down the list. Or, one may click on the link.
Persons who wish to do more, are asked to speak to their MLA or contact the Minister of Education: Hon. Don Morgan Q.C., at minister.edu@gov.sk.ca.
The release is from: The School Community Councils of the Good Spirit School Division as listed: Calder, Canora, Churchbridge Public, Columbia, Davison, Dr. Brass, Grayson, Invermay, Kamsack Comprehensive, Langenburg Central, Macdonald, Norquay, Preeceville, Saltcoats, Springside, Sturgis Composite, Sturgis Elementary, Victoria, Yorkdale Central and YRHS.
