Are School Boards required to consult with stakeholders?

[Tanya Weiner]

I am trying to find something written in the Education legislation or other documentation regarding a school board's "requirement" to consult with stakeholders on importation issues or impending change. The only written reference I can find is in the draft document of the Governance Review that is currently underway in the Province.

Is anyone able to point me in the right direction?

[priceernest]

Not sure how far you wish to delve into this subject matter but, respectfully allow one to submit if transparency and accountability is what you are looking for in the Education System at the Board/School level you are in for a surprise. This statement is not made to be negative, and or confrontational, it is simply a statement of fact as a former School Council Member, who resigned out of dissappointment and frustration.

By the way, the Report of the Governance Review Committee to the Minister of Education of Ontario "School Board Governance, A Focus on Achievement" dated April 2009 is availabe on the Ministry website.

As to your question, allow me to suggest some light reading as follows:
1. Education Act R.S.O. 1990, Chapter E.2 (consolidated period Jan 1, 2009 to the e-Laws currency date), PART VI, BOARDS, PART XI, SUPERVISORY OFFICERS, and PART IX, FINANCE, DIVISION D:Supervision of Board`s Financial Affairs.
2. ONTARIO REGULATION 612/00, made under the Education Act, made October 25, 2000.
3. ONTARIO REGULATION 613/00, made under the Education Act, made October 16, 2000, Amending Reg. 298 of R.R.O. (Operation of Schools-General).
4. You will also, need to obtain a copy of your respective Board`s Policies and Regulations, which should be available on the Board website.
5.Bill 123, Transparency in Public Matters Act.
5. School Councils, A guide for Members, Revised 2002, on Ministry website.
6. Report of the Legislative Review Committee, Section 257.107(1) Education Act.
7. Bill 104, Fewer School Boards Act, 1997.
8. Bill 160, Education Quality Improvement Act 1997.

However, to fully appreciate and understand the current Education System in Ontario one must start at the Royal Commission Reports as follows:
1. The Road Ahead-Report No 1., A Report on Learning Time, Class Size and Staffing, August 1997.
2. The Road Ahead-Report No 2., The Role of School Boards and Trustees, December 1997.
3. The Road Ahead-Report No 3., The Role of School Councils, November 1998.
4. The Road Ahead-Report No 4., Improving Schools Through Greater Accountability, April 2000 and finally,
5. The Road Ahead-Report No 5., Improving Student Achivement, December 2000.

Apologies, if this seems like an daunting task but, to fully appreciate the buracracy of the current centrist controlled information enviroment you will need a deflecting shield of information to manouver through the respective stakeholder walls.

Many parents and community members who desparately want to contribute to the diversity, equality, equity, transparancy, and accountability needed in the system-which goes directly to the governance issue, are quite simply too frustrated to even try. Most do not even know what "Advisory Role" means, and to many it is all about "Fundraising" being pushed by Boards.

If you have ever attended a staff meeting involving the Teachers, Vice-Principals, and Board dealing with structure and procedurial policy to be put into place the normal reaction/response is, can they make us do that! not how can we best implement this in the best interest of everyone-a very confrontational and unhealthy enviroment.

Parents and Community Members need to find a way to push away the cobwebs from the school house doors and breath some fresh air into the system, as taxpayers the system belongs to us.

And finally, the Teachers, Vice-Principals, and Principals desparatley need our help. With the pressures of Local School Based Control Management, Principals quite simply have not time for their most critical role "Leadership" which goes directly to student learning and achivement.

[Gay Stephenson]

Hi Tanya,
It would be nice it school boards were required, probably in their best interest. But in asking around the office here, we could only come up with one example. Boards are required to consult on School Closings.
There is direction in the school council guidelines that principals listen to the school council and respond by letting the council know what they have or have not decided to do. Or if they have made no decision.
Does this help? Did you have a specific thing in mind?
It would be great to hear other people's experiences too!
Gay

[Sheila Stewart]

Not sure about all stakeholders, but "school councils" are well covered in the "Guide for Members". On page 4.2 there is a chart which refers to the "areas requiring consultation with school councils by boards." On page 4.3 the chart lists "possible additional areas." The actual legislation in the appendix of this guide regarding boards is in 19(1), "Consultation by boards.", page 12.4. Not sure how much clout that will have though....!

[Tanya Weiner]

In Ottawa we are dealing with changes being implemented through the Transportation Consortium. We were able to get proposed changes delayed a year pending additional consultation and working groups to bring about more equitable changes between the Public and Catholic Boards, and options more appropriate for those being affected.

In the process of our "campaign" to have the changes delayed we worked together with all affected Public and Catholic School Councils in the area. The Public Board (my board) has since specifically directed the consortium to consult and work with my group of school councils from the affected public schools to come up with new and better options. The Catholic Board has specifically directed the consortium NOT to consult with its school councils. This leaves the process very unbalanced. As both Boards are affected but one is refusing to participate in fixing the problem.

The parents on the Catholic School Councils are a little stunned that they have been shut out of a process that they fought to have implemented because their Board has taken this very frustrating position.

This is where this question on consultation comes from. We are looking for a springboard for the Catholic School Councils to use to change their Board's position on allowing them the opportunity to participate in the consultation process.

Thank you for your comments - they are helpful.
Tanya

[Sheila Stewart]

Hi Tanya,
Looks like "busing and transportation of students" is under the "possible areas". Hope it works out.

[Catherine]

I think you have to be clear on what you mean by "board"

Each board should have its own governance and operations policies dealing with process including consultations where applicable.

As an elected trustee, you'd be pretty stupid not to canvass your school community because it is to those people who a trustee is accountable. Trustees are also usually the liaison between school and home. In order to best represent their constituents trustees need to have access to and be able to consult with their community. I know of a trustee, a couple actually who make a point of meeting just with the parents of school councils...without admin. in place. They've done this so parents with concerns wouldn't be intimidated by what usually happens at regional or PIC meetings with is a top-heavy presence of board stafff compared with parents.

I see board staff perhaps not having to consult with parents or councils, but, here again aren't board admin. in place to better advise trustees, streamline things, and do the grunt work? Still it has to be shared.

What I'm hearing lately is that some trustees are afraid to move because they aren't really sure if they can even go into the schools or not anymore.

I think smart principals and a welcoming board would make sure to include parents in their consultations. Telling the parents the truth once they're there is another important point.