HomeMy WebLinkAbout06a Report 99-062 Board Membership in OPSBAML
OTTAWA-CARLETON
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
26 May 1999
Report No 99 -062 to Chair's Committee
Re: Board Membership in OPSBA
ORIGINATOR: Joan Melancon, Assistant Secretary of the Board
PURPOSE:
To seek direction from trustees regarding Board membership in the Ontario Public
School Boards' Association.
BACKGROUND:
2. In June of last year, the Board approved memberships in the Ontario Public
School Boards' Association, the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation,
the Canadian Education Association, the Ontario Educational Research Council and
the Ottawa- Carleton Board of Trade.
3. At its meeting of 26 April 1999, the Board renewed memberships in the Canadian
Education Association and the Ontario Educational Research Council for a one -year
period.
STATUS:
4. An invoice from OPSBA has recently been received for their annual membership fee
covering the period 1 September 1999 to 31 August 2000. The fee for the OCDSB is
$103,560 which represents a slight decrease over last year's fee of $106,565. If the
Board wishes to receive the publication "Education Today ", there is an additional cost
of $16.00 plus GST.
5. Details of the services provided by OPSBA and some of the initiatives undertaken on
behalf of member school boards during the past year are included in the information
package attached as Appendix A.
6. Information has been requested from OCRI and the Ottawa - Carleton Board of Trade,
the two remaining organizations in which the Board held memberships last year, and
a report will be presented for consideration at a future meeting.
RECOMMENDATION:
That a one -year membership renewal for the Ontario Public School Boards' Association
be approved for the period 1 September 1999 to 31 August 2000.
James P. Grieve
Director of Education/
Secretary of the Board
Membership in OPSBA 1 26 May 1999
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CCFPvFFIATE RECOF DS
MAY 14 1999 ° P s B
MC-ItALT: BLIC SCHOOL BOARDS' ASSOCIATION
# RYu'. AVENUE, 18th FLOOR, TORONTO, ONTARIO M5G 1Y8
r --- ° HONE: (416) 340 -2540 • FAX: (416) 340 -7571
, _.��. - WEBSITE: www.opsba.org
MEMORANDUM
To: Member Board Chairs and Directors of Education
Members of the OPSBA Board of Directors
CC. OPSBA Member Board Delegates
From: Liz Sandals, President and OPSBA Executive Council
Date: May 12, 1999
RE: MEMBERSHIP
............ .........................,.....
CCPIES SENT TO:
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................. ...............................
................. ...............................
This year has brought unprecedented changes to education. Governance has been
questioned, resources have been strained and structures have been re- invented.
Throughout, the Ontario Public School Boards' Association ( OPSBA) has not been
distracted from its objectives - presenting the interests of our member boards and building
strong support from the public we serve.
During this period, OPSBA has been at the forefront of presenting not only the views, but,
more importantly, the needs of public school boards to the provincial government. There
has been a concerted effort on the part of OPSBA to reinforce an understanding of the
complexity and reality of the issues facing Ontario's publicly funded school systems. A
"one - size - fits -all" funding formula does not work.
School boards need a support and advocacy system to help them express their needs so
that changes to provincial policies are sensible ones that benefit students. The Ontario
Public School Boards' Association provides that system.
During 1998 -99, OPSBA has become increasingly efficient and effective. We have
implemented organizational renewal that has sharpened our focus by shifting our priorities
towards political action and strategic planning. For the record, I would like to review some
of the initiatives undertaken by OPSBA during the past year.
Education Funding
OPSBA has met the challenge of unprecedented change in education finance on many
fronts over the past year. OPSBA initiated a review of finance issues and in partnership
with OASBO, produced a document entitled Education Funding in the Province of Ontario,
A Review of the Issues. This sixty -one page document examines the issues of pupil
accommodation, transportation, special education, school operations, the use of averages
and other relevant financial issues. The contents of this report were the subject of
countless hours of consultation and discussions between government officials and OPSBA
representatives. It has proven to be a most effective lobbying tool and has been widely
distributed within the government and to stakeholders around the province. A review of
education issues specific to Northern Ontario is currently being undertaken that will also
culminate in a report for consultation and distribution.
We are in constant contact with politicians and senior bureaucrats on a wide range of
finance issues on behalf of our member boards. OPSBA has successfully lobbied the
Ministry of Education and Training (MET) to make significant adjustments to the funding
model for:
• moratorium capital debt
$50 M
• transportation
$14 M
• 1998 window retirement gratuities
$87 M
• school operations top up and
recalculation of school capacities
$188 M
• secondary credits (7.2 to 7.5)
$50 M
• mould in portables
$50 M
• tax collection by Northern Boards
?
TOTAL
$439 M
annual school closure deadline - future access to New Pupil Places Grant
In addition, OPSBA will continue to be involved in the MET's review of the special
education funding model.
Program
OPSBA staff have participated in numerous discussions and consultations on the
curriculum reforms introduced by the government over the past year. Member boards are
represented by OPSBA staff on the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee for Curriculum
Implementation; the Advisory Coalition; Ontario School Boards Review Group; and the
OTF Steering Committee for the planning of summer institutes.
Regular updates on the progress of curriculum reforms have been provided to member
boards. The reform of secondary education, the new report card, assessment issues with
the Education Quality and Accountability Office, issues regarding the College of Teachers
and matters related to special education have been the primary focus of our Program Work
Team. The critical issue of the coordination of children's services was also addressed in
a paper developed by this Work Team, with recommendations that were passed by the
Board of Directors.
OPSBA articulated to the government the need for sufficient funds to implement the new
curriculum and programs for students at risk. This pressure resulted in an extra $150
million over two years for: purchasing new textbooks, delivering teacher training,
developing professional resources and providing extra support for students. In addition,
a certificate was created that will allow District School Boards to design programs to meet
the needs of students currently enrolled in Basic level programs. Finally, OPSBA
successfully lobbied for the extension of the course drop deadline for students who might
otherwise be adversely affected by full disclosure on their transcripts.
Labour Relations Services
This department of OPSBA continues to provide increased services to the member boards
in three major ways.
On a daily basis staff respond to numerous calls from member boards, government
agencies, and other provincial trustee associations, on labour relations and human
resource issues. Overnight faxes and articles in Fast Reports provide relevant
reports to boards on emerging and challenging issues.
2. Through its annual Labour Relations Symposium and a minimum of three Provincial
Labour Relations Network meetings, the Association through workshops and
seminars provides up -to -date comments and strategies for the varying stakeholders
that attend these sessions.
3. Effective April 1, 1999, OPSBA's new LabRnet service went on -line to its member
boards and other educational partners. This system is free to the member boards,
and others for five months. At present we are putting on the system all collective
agreements (teaching and support staff) for all boards, plus legal updates, major
arbitrations, generic contracts for matters such as principal /vice - principal terms of
employment, and board human resource' policies that are pertinent to special
issues. This ongoing and growing system will be very important as we enter the
next phase of negotiations.
Copyright
In early 1998, OPSBA joined together with representatives from across Canada to
negotiate common terms and tariff for print copyright licenses for schools. In other
provinces the copyright interests of boards of education are represented by Ministries of
Education. However, OPSBA not only represents the interests of Ontario boards but also
represents the province's interests in the pan- Canadian negotiations.
In June 1998, the national copyright consortium was not yet in a position to agree to pan -
Canadian terms and tariff and the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (CANCOPY) sent
out a notice to all Ontario school boards that the licensing fee for the 1998/1999 school
year would be $2.20 per FTE (up from a $2 tariff for the preceding year). OPSBA quickly
responded by advising boards against the higher tariff and successfully negotiated
CANCOPY's tariff back down to $2 for the 1998/1999 school year. In total, this saved
OPSBA member boards approximately $340,000.
Since September 1998, OPSBA has been actively participating in the process to negotiate
pan- Canadian terms and tariff for the next three to five years. Currently, negotiations
continue and remain confidential. However, comparing CANCOPY's current offer with that
of their first offer, OPSBA can state that Ontario public school boards will save
approximately $3 million ($1.75 per FTE) over the next 3 years through OPSBA's
participation in the national consortium.
- In addition to print copyright, OPSBA's participation on the National Copyright Information
Network, provides a direct lobby on upcoming federal copyright amendments, specifically,
digital copyright.
Media Relations
Much of the public discussion around issues facing the education system occurs in the
print and broadcast media. Current issues such as secondary school reform, new
curriculum, school closures, safety and security in schools and the provincial funding
formula receive prominent media coverage.
OPSBA plays a key role in shaping public opinion and influencing policy development on
education issues through the media. This past year, OPSBA has established, developed
and maintained long -term relationships with relevant education reporters and the Queen's
Park press gallery. OPSBA remains a primary and credible voice whether it's providing
background information to an editorial board on inequities in the funding formula;
responding to the media's questions on current issues such as school violence; or initiating
stories in the media that highlight the concerns of boards from across the province.
In addition, OPSBA has supported our member boards by providing media strategies and
assistance as requested. OPSBA staff continue to maintain and enhance our working
relationship with communications officers by providing relevant and timely information to
support the media issues at the local boards.
Governance
On April 22, 1999 the Supreme Court of Canada granted OPSBA leave to intervene in the
- appeal being brought by the Public School Boards' Association of Alberta (PSBAA) against
the Alberta government regarding taxation rights for school boards in Alberta. The issues
in the Alberta case are similar to those recently appealed in Ontario in the Bill 160 case.
For more than 150 years, Ontario school boards have had the right to determine their
particular needs and levy local taxes so that students could receive the best education
possible. However, in a unanimous decision, the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned a
lower court ruling that found Bill 160, the Education. Quality Improvement Act, to be
unconstitutional.
It is anticipated that the Supreme Court may put any appeal of the Ontario decision
together with the Alberta action and hear both at the same time. OPSBA will determine
if it will seek leave to appeal in the recent Ontario Appeal Court decision, once legal
counsel has had an opportunity to analyse the decision and make recommendations.
Professional Development
OPSBA continues to provide forums for public debate and decision - making through its
leading -edge conferences and seminars. Internationally renowned speakers and a wide
range of experts who bring their special skills and strategies to OPSBA conferences and
seminars are essential to meet the increasing challenges facing school boards today.
Member boards may continue to take advantage of these valuable training opportunities.
As well, throughout the year there are regional training sessions and seminars on various
subjects.
In addition to the special initiatives that the Ontario Public School Boards' Association
undertakes on behalf of its member boards, the day -to -day services provided by the
association are also beneficial. As the voice of public education at the provincial level, the
association's range of high - quality and timely services to member boards include:
• government relations and lobbying
• labour relations research and collective bargaining co- ordination
• communications and media relations
• legal defence for public education
• legislative monitoring and policy development
professional development and conferences
• regional services.
Today, membership in the Ontario Public School Boards' Association is a necessity.
Provincial governments rarely listen to the concerns of individual boards. Therefore, the Vj
maxim "strength in numbers" certainly holds true for our association. OPSBA is committed
to working with all our members to focus on the value of a strong public education system,
open to all and governed by democratically elected local school boards.
OPSBA's members deserve, and must continue to have the opportunity to influence the
government's decision - making. It is essential that the next government knows the
- concerns and needs of school boards. With your on -going support, OPSBA will continue
to strive to be the competent, informed voice for public education and for all students in the
province of Ontario.
LIZ SANDALS
President
�III�►
GAIL ANDERSON
Executive Director
ONTARIO PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARDS' ASSOCIATION
439 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, 18th FLOOR, TORONTO, ONTARIO M5G 1Y8
TELEPHONE: (416) 340 -2540 a FAX: (416) 340 -7571
Invoice to: Ottawa - Carleton District School Board
133 Greenbank Road
Nepean, Ontario
K2H 61-3
I Invoice#36 -99/00 I Date: September 01, 1999 1 GST Registration No. R107800344
199912000 Membership Fee I 103,560.00
September 01, 1999 to August 31, 2000
0 Please check here if board wishes to receive Education Today
Magazine (please add $16.00 +GST);
Per the Department of Canadian Heritage's new PAP compliance
guideline
Term of Payment: Total 103,560.00
Membership fees due September 31,1999
Late payment subjects to 1.5% interest charge Fed. GST 7,249.20
per month, effective December 01, 1999 Sub Total 110,809.20
Prov. Sales Tax
TOTAL 110,809.20