Value of elected school boards disputed by parents, governments
CBC Radio | Posted: September 21, 2015 11:44 AM | Last Updated: September 21, 2015
I don't see the relevancy for schools, I don't see the relevancy for budget cuts. It will be possible to change the configuration of school boards in the future, but in the short term I prefer to work on governance, the importance to protect the autonomy and revitalize the autonomy of schools. - François Blais, Quebec's Education Minister
Education Minister François Blais has decided they will not merge school boards across the province, saying it wouldn't save that much money.
Perhaps it is no surprise Canadians have been wondering what it is that their elected school board members actually do, other than bicker and get into trouble.
The governing Liberals plan to table a bill this fall to bring in a whole new - as yet unspecified - system. This after the province spent 20-million dollars on the last school board election - and only 5% of French board voters showed up.
Nationally, only 15 per cent of those eligible actually vote in school board elections. And some analysis has suggested that even in that small number, random votes aren't uncommon.
During a federal election that has its own concerns about how many people will show up to vote, we convened a panel of parents to look at whether the democratic power to elect people to look after our schools has become a relic.
- Eric Langlois is a father with two kids in Montreal's French school board.
- Leif Helmer has three kids at Petite Riviere Elementary School in Petite Riviere, Nova Scotia.
- Cathy Dandy is a former elected school board trustee and education activist. She joined us in our Toronto studio.
Have you had to deal with your local elected school officials? Was it a good experience - or something that made you doubt the system?
This segment was produced by The Current's Karin Marley.
RELATED LINKS
♦ Leave Quebec school boards alone, Canadian associations - Montreal Gazette
♦ Trustees or not? Variety of school board models can work - Toronto Star
♦ Trustees or not? Variety of school board models can work - Toronto Star