Board Concerned with Proposed New Provincial Legislation

BOARD CONCERNED WITH IMPACTS OF PROPOSED “ONE-SIZE FITS ALL” NEW EDUCATION LEGISLATION

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Trustees have significant concerns that proposed legislation introduced by the government centralizes decision making provincially and limits the ability to meet the needs of local communities.

On April 17, the government tabled The Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023 which, if passed, will result in a wide range of potential impacts to Ontario’s public education system.

The legislation outlines amendments to the provincial Education Act in a broad number of areas, including centralizing educational priorities for all school boards, governance and oversight, as well as increased measures to control capital assets.

“We have significant concerns that the changes contemplated to the Education Act through this legislation will further erode the power and ability of locally elected school boards to advocate for and meet the needs of the students in communities we know best,” says Steve Russell, Chairperson of the Board. “Local school boards were the first democratically elected representatives in Ontario and remain critically positioned to represent the communities we serve.”  

Russell adds, "Locally elected Trustees have always ensured that management of resources is focused on local needs and circumstances. KPR is not the same as Toronto, or Kenora or any other jurisdiction, yet priorities will be determined outside of our community. Imposed restrictions on local decision making takes control away from local voters and parents."

Russell says that student achievement and wellbeing remain the board’s greatest priorities.  

“These are important commitments to our communities, and we don’t want them lost through the one size fits all approach contemplated within this legislation. The proposed changes have a limited focus on achievement measures and lack an equal focus on wellbeing. While there is always more work to do, we know our staff and students continue to work each day with purpose and passion in developing the literacy and numeracy skills that we know are so crucial for a student’s successful future in life and career.” 

“We also know that our students succeed when the learning is authentic, culturally relevant, and responsive. For our Board, it’s also a local priority to strengthen relationships through Reconciliation by centring Indigenous voices and lived experiences, and building trust with students, staff, families and community. As part of that, our work must continue to ensure that all our students feel welcome, a sense of belonging at school, and see themselves in those leading the learning."

With regard to planning and asset management, Russell notes the Board is currently engaged in a broad consultation with students, staff, families, communities and partners as the Board establishes its next multi-year strategic plans. 

“Every four years we connect with all those we serve to develop a strategic plan that acts as a roadmap to focus our efforts on key student success goals. The online opportunity to contribute is open right now, and we strongly encourage all interested parties to share their ideas and lived experiences with us to shape our organizational future. The proposal to impose priorities from the Provincial level would silence these local voices."

Russell notes a number of recent partnerships that illustrate the Board’s creativity and commitment to working with local partners so that surplus properties continue to serve its communities.

“We take very seriously our obligation to be an open and accountable fiscal and administrative manager of public funds. We also have a demonstrated track record of working cooperatively with our community and municipal partners and day care providers to explore creative ways to share buildings and assets for the benefit of the communities we serve. We understand local needs and respond to them with a flexibility that may be lost through these legislative changes." 

“Just last month we finalized a land-swap agreement with the Municipality of Brighton where we severed a parcel of the Brighton Public School yard to allow the Municipality to build a new Emergency Fire and Medical Services Headquarters. Earlier this year we successfully partnered with the Town of Cobourg on surplus lands that enabled the municipality to keep shoreline along their boardwalk in public hands. We’re concerned that these local opportunities to serve and support the best interests of our communities will be lost through the new legislation.” 

Russell notes that there are a number of other areas within the legislation that are concerning and lacking in clarity. 

The Board will be submitting it’s concerns to the government as part of the current consultation period, and invites all interested public education partners to learn more and comment on the proposed legislation through the link here: https://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?postingId=44527&language=en

For more information, please call:

Steve Russell, Board Chairperson, at 705-933-8350

Greg Kidd, Executive Officer- Corporate Affairs, at 705-742-9773 or toll-free at 877-741-4577, ext. 2353