Teachers’ group wants education bills withdrawn

Educators say they’re frustrated after being left out of the process

Saskatchewan teachers want the provincial government to step back from proposed legislative changes in the education sector.

Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) president Patrick Maze said the STF wasn’t properly consulted about potential changes outlined in both Bill 48 and Bill 63, and wants them scrapped until further consultation is completed. The STF represents about 13,000 teachers.

Bill 48 outlines changes to education property taxes that would result in municipalities turning over the money collected through property taxes to the provincial government rather than school divisions. Bill 63 gives the Minister of Education more authority over school board spending.

Maze said the STF hasn’t been consulted “at all” about the changes.

“That’s a huge frustration,” he said. “When there’s bills that are going to substantially change the legislation and the framework in which we operate, we feel that there should be an extensive period of consultation and discussion to make sure that we’re guaranteed to be doing that’s in the best interest of our students, and we don’t have that confidence right now.”

Bill 48 got royal assent on April 27 and will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. Bill 63 goes to the Committee on Human Services on May 3.

In December, the province released its K-12 governance review, authored by public policy expert Dan Perrins. It included options for appointed trustees and school board amalgamation.

A six-person panel was appointed to meet with education stakeholders and determine which recommendations, if any, would be applied. The government maintains the legislative changes are a response to the panel’s findings, which indicated strong support for a local voice in school board government.

Education Minister Don Morgan said that while he appreciates the STF’s position, the ministry doesn’t always consult on budget bills. He said he wants to work with the STF and the government will “try to address some of their concerns” through potential house amendments as the bill moves forward.

Maze said the government didn’t respect stakeholder feedback. While the ministry kept school boards elected, the legislative changes will remove much of their power, consolidating “the voice and the power in education” to the minister, he said.

Morgan said his ministry is aware it “may not be able to appease” the STF 100 per cent, but his ministry is aware of the issues. With Bill 63 headed to committee today, the STF will know of any amendments “well in advance,” he added.

“We’ve had some discussions with them already and we’ll be having more.”