While the fate of the province’s health regions have been decided, it’s still not too late for the public to have a say when it comes to Saskatchewan’s school divisions.
The province is asking citizens to send written submissions to [email protected] before Jan. 23. All submitters have to identify themselves. All of the submissions will be posted online after the deadline.
All four options for reform will affect the province’s school divisions in some form, so if you have an option, let the government know.
Here’s mine:
Dear Education Governance Advisory Panel,
I represent one of two media outlets that consistently covers the North East School Division.
There is a real possibility that whatever reforms you recommend would move the governing body of our local school division away from Melfort and to a place that would be difficult for a reporter based out of Tisdale to attend school division board meetings.
I ask that you add recommendations to the report that will allow local newspapers to continue to cover the public portions of the board meetings and ask questions to the board chair, the director of education and any other pertinent official as soon as the meeting is complete.
Such recommendations might include requiring divisions to broadcast their public meetings online and making a conference call after the meeting available to local media.
I feel that school divisions can do their best work if the public they serve is informed about their actions through their local media outlets.
Thank you for considering my request and for the work you are doing to consult with stakeholders and the public.
Sincerely,
Devan C. Tasa
Editor, Tisdale Recorder and Parkland Review
