October 14, 2010

Meeting with PC Party Leader - Tim Hudak

On September 29, OCSTA representatives – Marino Gazzola (Vice President) Paula Peroni (Past President), Kevin Kobus (Executive Director) and Carol Devine (Director, Legislative and Political Affairs) met with the provincial leader of the Ontario PC Party, Tim Hudak and the party’s Education Critic, MPP Elizabeth Witmer.

The purpose of the meeting was to acquaint Mr. Hudak with the education priorities of Ontario’s Catholic school boards and to confirm the Ontario PC Party’s continued support of publicly funded Catholic schools in Ontario.

Mr. Hudak re-confirmed his own and his party’s support for Ontario’s Catholic school system. Among the issues raised with Mr. Hudak were the Association’s concerns regarding the adequacy of funding for special education, board administration and capital.  Considerable discussion occurred as well about the challenges facing school boards as the Early Learning Program is being implemented.

With the approach of the 2011 provincial election, OCSTA will again be canvassing the leaders of all parties to reconfirm their support for publicly funded Catholic education. 

Cross Province Check-Up

During the recent OCSTA Regional Meetings and one-on-one telephone discussions between Board Chairpersons and the OCSTA Executive, the Association learned a great deal about concerns and priorities at Catholic school boards across the province.

Early Learning Program Roll Out:

• The ELP has been well received in Catholic school communities.  There are, however, capital challenges in some regions where there is greater demand than there is space for the ELP program.
• More funding is needed to address capital needs required by this program.
• The before and after school program is being offered in only a few schools where there is sufficient demand.

Special Education

• Even though many regions are experiencing declining enrollment, boards report that special education costs continue to rise resulting in the need for more funding to cover the actual costs of specialized services and equipment.
• Boards are forced to take money from other budget lines or board reserves to cover special education costs.  This is not sustainable.

The Impact of Increased Administrative Workloads

• Many boards report that the volume of provincial initiatives is too high.  This is creating strain at the staff level.
• There is severe pressure to reduce the administration line of board budgets and Catholic school boards are concerned about the impact that this will have in the future. 
• “In small boards, the Director of Education and the Superintendant of Finance cover all the portfolios (compared to large boards that have larger administrative teams, consultants and other senior staff working centrally).”
• “The Principals of small boards also carry a heavy burden as much of the work filters directly to the school.”

Bill 177 – Trustee Professional Development

• Some boards have ordered the 5-DVD set containing sessions from the Trustee Development Program delivered by St. Augustine’s Seminary of Toronto.
• While many boards are planning in-house orientation for trustees, they are also looking forward to the launch of the Ministry sponsored Trustee Professional Development Program. OCSTA will deliver the program to members at the January 14-15 Trustee Professional Development Seminar in Toronto at the Doubletree By Hilton – Toronto Airport.

Other issues/updates:

• Many boards are reporting increased EQAO test scores
• System wide faith days played a prominent role in back-to-school events at many boards. These events were very well received by staff and students and in many cases received positive exposure in the local media.
• Caps on class sizes are creating challenges at some boards
• First Nations Students:
• Schools serving many First Nations communities require additional funding to address the severe need for improved facilities (gymnasiums, science labs, etc.).  In many instances the gymnasium is used by the community.
• Northern boards are interested in accessing “best practices” to assist them in addressing the needs of First Nations students and communities.
• As technology continues to have a prominent role in schools, some boards are reporting the need for more funding to address necessary updates to the technology infrastructure at boards.

Much of the information shared with OCSTA during these sessions and conversations will help in the formulation of the 2010 Finance Brief.

Our Catholic Schools Newsletter

OCSTA recently launched the "Our Catholic Schools" newsletter.  This regularly issued e-newsletter contains a summary of highlights from Ontario's Catholic school boards. Copies were emailed to all OCSTA members (trustees and directors of education).

The "Our Catholic Schools" subscriber list, which includes members of the public interested in learning more about Ontario's Catholic schools, also receives copies of this newsletter.  To become a subscriber to this newsletter, please fill out the form on the top right hand corner of our home page: www.ocsta.on.ca.

For your convenience, copies are archived on the OCSTA website here:

http://www.ocsta.on.ca/page54695146.aspx

 

2010 Catholic Trustee Election Data

OCSTA surveyed member boards in September to collect data regarding the 2010 Municipal Elections and trustee elections.  That data has been used to provide the following statistical snapshot:

•    Total number of Persons registered to Seek election as Catholic Trustee: 459
•    Total number of Current Catholic Trustees seeking Re-election: 176
•    Total number of Current Trustees Re-elected by Acclamation: 73
•    Total number of New Candidates elected by Acclamation: 12
•    Percentage of Current Trustees Re-elected by Acclamation (provincial average): 31.74%
•    Percentage of Total Acclaimed Trustees (provincial average): 36.96%

Upcoming Events:

Violence in the Media - When Violence Becomes Entertaining: Recapturing Childhood and Adolescence from the Toxic Influence of Media (conference sponsored by OTF)

When: October 15 - 16, 2010
Where: Doubletree By Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel, 655 Dixon Road, Toronto
Phone: 416.244.1711
Registration information: visit www.otffeo.on.ca

OCSTA Labour Relations Seminar

When: November 19, 2010
Where: Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel and Conference Centre
Registration: Visit: http://www.ocsta.on.ca/page1114101356.aspx or contact your Board office.

OCSTA Trustee Professional Development Seminar
(Includes new Certification Course for Trustees)

When: January 14-15, 2011
Where: Doubletree By Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel
Registration: Visit http://www.ocsta.on.ca/page111494618.aspx or contact your Board office.