For immediate release
June 9, 2000
Chair of Board speaks out against Bill 74
At the Public Hearings on Bill 74: the Education
Accountability Act held June 9, 2000 in Napanee, Chair of the Hastings
and Prince Edward District School Board, Audrey Carter, spoke out strongly
against this legislation. She was accompanied by Frank Gielen, Chair of
the Hastings and Prince Edward Regional School Council, and Larry Langdon,
Director Designate of the Board.
Chair Carter acknowledged that some of the government's
recent reforms to education will have a positive effect. "Our Board remains
supportive of many of these reforms and recognizes that changes have, for
the most part, been intended to enhance the academic excellence of the
21,000 students that we, as Trustees, are responsible for," she said.
The Board of Trustees supports the implementation of the new curriculum,
including those for Grade 11 and 12 announced this week. They support the
testing of students in Reading, Writing and Mathematics by the Education
Quality Improvement Commission which provides a measure for improving student
performance, assessing teaching methods and planning professional development
for teachers. And, the concept of a provincial Code of Conduct echoes the
Code of Behaviour already in place in Hastings and Prince Edward Schools
and reinforces the Board's commitment to provide safe and effective learning
environments for students.
Chair Carter expressed concern about the probable
effects of Bill 74 and questioned the government's motivation in enacting
this legislation. She asked:
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"Why has this Government introduced Bill 74 which will be so disruptive
to the commitment of our Board to provide excellence in education to each
and every one of our students?" Our Board is concerned about the impact
that low staff morale will have on our system. Teachers and students need
to feel valued, respected and trusted.
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"Why has this Government shifted the focus of accountability from the local
community to the Minister of Education?" Local needs will be secondary
to provincial priorities. The province's priorities are financially driven;
while local communities know what is best for their children.
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"Why has this Government given itself the power to punish locally elected
Trustees and to dismiss Board employees in the event of the perception
by the Minister of non-compliance?" Our parents, students and local communities
risk losing their direct voice in educational matters which determine the
unique nature of each of our schools. Bill 74 contributes to the erosion
of local democracy.
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"Why has this Government refused to recognize that the vast majority of
teachers voluntarily offer their time for extra-curricular activities?"
It is likely that the new requirements will neither increase opportunities
for students to access after-school activities, nor will it result in teachers
being more accessible to parents. Our teachers are already contributing
countless volunteer hours in support of our students' education - and are
doing this without being legislated to do so.
"The Hastings and Prince Edward District School
Board is convinced that the Government has targeted trustees and teachers
in response to isolated situations which have occurred and which are not
reflected in the past, present and contemplated future of our Board," said
Chair Carter. "We believe that no serious improvement in education is possible
without that local voice in education supported by the enthusiastic cooperation
of every teacher in our jurisdiction. In the Hastings and Prince Edward
District School Board, we have these things now -- and we have serious
concerns about Government interference in the positive relations that have
been established and are flourishing with our parents, students,
teachers and community."
Chair Carter concluded by asking MPP's Leona Dombrowsky
and Ernie Parsons to carry these messages forward, articulate the concerns
of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board in debate and to
attempt to ensure that the current culture in Hastings and Prince Edward
is not replaced by one of confrontation, investigation and litigation.
For more information contact:
Audrey Carter, Chair, 969-8208
Larry Langdon, Director Designate, 966-1170 ext. 2260