School Board Governance
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On November 4, 2008, the Minister of Education issued a memorandum on the Modernization of School Board Governance to Chairs of District School Boards and School Authorities. A Governance Review Committee was established to seek input from provincial stakeholders and engage with trustees and directors of education, as well as focus groups of school councils and parent representatives.
As a result of extensive input at Regional Council meetings, OPSBA’s Policy Development Work Team developed a submission to the Minister’s Governance Review Committee on the Modernization of School Board Governance. OPSBA members were actively engaged in contributing to the deliberations of the review and, at the February 2009 Board of Directors' meeting, approved a submission that represented a full response from our member boards.
On April 22, the Ministry of Education released its report School Board Governance: A Focus on Achievement. The report summarizes the work conducted by the Ministry's Governance Review Committee and includes 25 recommendations to be considered by the Minister. On April 30th, OPSBA sent a letter to the Minister of Education outlining outstanding questions regarding the Ministry report.
On May 7, 2009, the Ministry of Education introduced new legislation to amend the Education Act. Bill 177, Student Achievement and School Board Governance Act.
On June 30, 2009 OPSBA received a copy of the consultation paper on Provincial Interest Regulations and distributed it to all trustees asking for their input to the questions identified within the paper. The consultation paper offered an opportunity for input to stakeholders in anticipation of the drafting of the provincial interest regulations. These regulations flow from the enabling legislation of Bill 78 that was enacted in June 2006. A draft response was presented to OPBSA's Executive Council at their summer planning session held on August 11-12, 2009. The draft response was based on our final submission to the Governance Review Committee and input received from OPSBA trustees over the summer. Executive Council reviewed the draft response and provide additional comments that have been incorporated into this final document. The document, as amended by Executive Council, will be given to the Ministry as our preliminary response to their consultation paper.
On October 26, 2009, OPSBA President Colleen Schenk and VPs Catherine Fife and Riley Brockington presented to the Standing Committee on Social Policy regarding Bill 177. Please click here for a copy of the speaking notes and the Association’s final written presentation.
Ministry Memos
Legislative Status
On November 30, 2009, Bill 177 Student Achievement and School Board Governance, was passed by the legislature. Most of OPSBA’s recommended changes were incorporated into the legislation.
Regulations Flowing from Bill 177
- Provincial Interest Regulation (PIR) — OPSBA provided a submission to Ministry consultation document on August 13, 2009. Regulation filed on February 26, 2010.
- Parent Involvement Committees — OPSBA provided a submission to a Ministry consultation document on April 12, 2010. Regulation filed on September 1, 2010.
- Audit Committees — OPSBA provided a submission to a Ministry consultation document on March 31, 2010. Implementation of the Audit Committee is delayed to Spring 2011. Regulation filed September 10, 2010.
- Trustee Codes of Conduct — OPSBA provided a submission to a Ministry consultation document on June 29, 2010. Regulation is expected to be filed in Fall 2010.
Other Background Information
OPSBA Media Releases
School Boards Look Ahead to Next Steps in School Board Governance (December 16, 2009)
Effective Governance Sets the Conditions for Student Success (April 22, 2009)