Alberta School Boards Association doing good work, by the rules

Not disclosing budget is normal practice for similar groups, Mary Martin writes.

Recently, the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) has come under fire for not publicly disclosing its budget. ASBA has also been exposed to leaks which saw the posting of a Q&A document about our draft budget, which member school boards will vote on at the upcoming spring general meeting on June 4 in Red Deer.

If you read Colin Craig ’s Edmonton Journal guest column, you’re aware ASBA is not subject to the same disclosure rules as school boards, and he argues that it should be. This is a nonsensical argument in that it seems to apply only to the ASBA and not to other related associations, to which many of ASBA’s own member boards are also members. These associations are also funded by school boards, and like ASBA, on a voluntary basis. I will give you some examples.

The Public School Boards Association of Alberta (PSBAA) to which Edmonton Public Schools and other school boards pay fees does not disclose its budgets publicly. Nor does it disclose its executive director salaries or expenses. Financial information seems to be securely behind a member-only section on its website. This is absolutely a normal course of business. But PSBAA isn’t the only education association that does this. In fact, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA); the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association (ACSTA); the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS); and the Association of School Business Officials of Alberta (ASBOA), all have member-only sections, and as far as I can tell, do not disclose financials publicly.

This is normal practice for other types of associations as well, which makes Mr. Craig ’s argument even weaker. The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association does not disclose its budget, expenses or salaries to the public, and it’s funded by municipalities which, like school boards, are indirectly funded by taxpayer dollars. Now this doesn’t mean any of the above associations, including ASBA are spending dollars unwisely. I’m sure their financial practices are just as sound as ours.

Like other associations, ASBA is accountable to its membership. Together with its membership, ASBA sets budgets that all members (trustees) vote on. There is nothing secretive about it. Period. ASBA is unfairly maligned for having the same, sound practices as other associations, which brings me to my next point.

On May 26, the Journal reported that ASBA is ensuring it has enough reserve funds in case ASBA must wind down its operation. The article outlines some of the external risks school boards are facing, and all of this is true. But there’s more to it. In that same article, Michelle Draper, chairperson for Edmonton Public Schools (EPSB) asserted that she’s “disappointed this is the approach (ASBA is) taking,” and of ASBA’s “doom and gloom and secrecy.” Frankly, I’m surprised by Ms. Draper’s comments.

ASBA understands we have government’s support for the good work we, and member boards do. ASBA understands Alberta parents enjoy, and will continue to fight for, choice in our education system. However, ASBA is facing considerable internal risk, because of events such as the Edmonton Public School Board’s May 22 meeting, which highlights EPSB’s proposals that clearly undermine our efforts to support the other 60 school boards in the province.

Or, let’s talk about EPSB’s May 2017 meeting wherein the board passed a unanimous motion for government to repeal the ASBA Act. I could go on. This small but vocal group distracts from the support, advocacy and governance ASBA provides, and contributes to the erosion of ASBA’s ability to feel secure in its funding. Because you see, ASBA has not enjoyed funding increases, and has been running deficit budgets since 2009, while affiliated associations have benefited from significant annual increases.

The work of locally elected school boards is invaluable, and there is no shortage of work to be done. For this reason, I am concerned the EPSB spends so much time thwarting the good work of ASBA, and pushing for a massive reduction in staff and funding, then turns around and reports they’re disappointed by the ASBA board of director’s prudent decision to ensure the association has enough funds in the event we have to sever staff or pay out a leasing contract. In my mind, they cannot have it both ways.