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| February 20, 2012 | | | Agenda of the Association for the week of February 20, 2012.
Monday: Montreal - Meeting with Association canadienne des professeurs d'immersion
Tuesday: Montreal
Wednesday: Montreal - IPC Committee
Thursday: Montreal - ADGESBQ
Friday: Montreal - ADGESBQ
Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports at the Chambre de Commerce du Montréal métropolitain
QESBA was represented by President David D’Aoust and Executive Director David Birnbaum at a luncheon of the Chambre de commerce du Montréal métropolitain last Friday in Montréal focusing on staying in school. A panel provided a provincial update on the progress being made through the growing coalition of school boards, business and community organizations. Minister Line Beauchamp delivered a wide-ranging speech on MELS objectives and orientations, including Bill 56 on combating violence and intimidation in schools.
QESBA's presentation to the Commission de l'aménagement du territoire
President David D’Aoust, Central Québec Chair Stephen Burke and Executive Director David Birnbaum presented a mémoire on behalf of QESBA to the Commission parlementaire studying draft Bill 34, An Act to ensure the occupancy and vitality of territories. QESBA wanted to use the opportunity to sensitize parliamentarians to the unique and diverse circumstances, challenges and accomplishments of our school board network. Municipal Affairs Minister Laurent Lessard had some detailed questions for QESBA, as did the Opposition members of the Commission. The brief has been circulated to the network.
Bureaucracy
At a third meeting of the MELS-réseau committee on bureaucracy last week, a firm timeline for October 2012 was established for implementation of an ambitious and comprehensive action plan designed to streamline and limit MELS reporting, accountability and data-gathering exercises involving schools and school boards. QESBA, the Fédération des commissions scolaires du Québec as well as the DGs and administrators associations recognize that a serious and meaningful effort has been made – one that it is hoped will make a difference when fully implemented, in allowing school boards and, particularly, school administrators, to focus more intensively their efforts on student success rather than paperwork.
CSBA Congress 2012
The Program Committee for CSBA Congress 2012 reviewed the workshop submissions from member QESBA Boards and across the country late last week. The Steering Committee also met to review coordination and logistics matters, with important progress having been made on all fronts. A cross-Canada media panel has now been fully booked, as have all of the major keynotes. The Congress page and registration link is: CSBA Congress 2012.
QESBA Communications Committee
A first meeting of the Communications Committee was held last week in Montréal to discuss the mandates for 2012. Following a mandate for the President and the Board of Directors, the Committee examined polling and discussed the results of the first meeting held with Léger Marketing on a province-wide poll. The Committee also discussed modernizing the QESBA website to a 2.0 compatible and interactive site and along with that a video proposal on the strengths and benefits of the English public system.
"Food for thought"
And in Canada we, you know, it costs us three or $400 million
to have an election. You know, it's always been my position that we shouldn't complain about that; that's the price of admission for living in a great democracy.Rick Mercer | | |
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