Achievements and Ideas

Governance
When I was first elected to the Saskatoon Public Board of Education, I advocated for the development of a governance model for the Board. This included the need for a strategic planning process and the need to link this process to budget development. A clear, defined governance structure has helped the Board articulate, advocate, communicate and achieve priorities.

In January 2004 the Board began a process to define the roles of governance and administration. By September 2004 a new Board Policy manual was approved and the Board began to use strategic planning to drive budget development.

Strategic Priorities
After broad school and community consultation, the Board selected two strategic priorities that would have a positive impact on the learning of every student. I strongly supported the development of strategic priorities, not only to improve learning, but to also make more effective and efficient budget decisions. The two strategic priorities are "Literacy for Life" and "Facilities for Learning".

Literacy for Life

• Grade 1 Grade Level equivalents (GLE) grew from 1.6 in June 2004 to 2.2 GLE in June 2005 and 2.3 GLE is June 2006. The North American average is 2.0 GLE.
• On average, struggling readers have more than doubled their reading comprehension with our Read to Succeed program.
• The Just Read program encourages reading; Saskatoon Public School students have read almost 2 million books since our program began in 2004.

Facilities for Learning

• Saskatoon Public Schools conducted an audit of the condition of all our facilities. This information will allow informed decision making regarding the repair, renewal and programming at our schools. It will also direct spending to ensure industry standards are met.
• The Buena Vista restoration was completed successfully under budget.
• In August 2006 two integrated community centres opened on time and on budget. Centennial Collegiate and W.P. Bate School represent a commitment to community partnerships and engagement to promote education and fiscal efficiency.
• Tommy Douglas Collegiate is on budget and on track for Fall 2007.

As we continue to address the arbitrary and uncertain allocation of provincial funds for construction and renewal I will promote long term planning and budget allocations.

Fiscal Responsibility and Property Taxes
The Saskatoon Public School Division faces many fiscal challenges. These challenges must be confronted with a holistic approach that engages the schools, community and Provincial Government. While there is much work to be done in this area, over the past three years I have supported Board advocacy and engagement with the Provincial Government. We have achieved significant progress.

The governance model I supported in 2004 directs Saskatoon Public Schools Administration to monitor and measure programming initiatives so that the Board makes decisions based on outcomes and evidence. This evidence based reporting allows students, parents, teachers, community, government and the Board to understand and evaluate the effectiveness of budgetary decisions.

For the past three years I have advocated for property tax relief and equitable distribution of Provincial funding. In 2006 Saskatoon Public Schools saw an increase of $2.9 million from the Province for basic student rate funding. In 2005 and 2006 citizens saw a property tax credit of 8%. Through continued advocacy, property tax reduction can be realized. While we would all like to see this issue be resolved immediately, advocacy and engagement needs to progress and I am committed to this process. As your Trustee I will advocate for continued property tax relief and equitable funding. While we have made significant gains, we must continue this positive path forward. The Saskatoon Public School Board must hold the provincial government accountable for education. Education is a basic right, not an election promise.

Engaging Community
Saskatoon has many individuals and organizations committed to student success and the reduction of reliance on property taxes to fund education. Over the past three years I have promoted increased collaboration with community groups. The development of these co-operations increases opportunities for students as well as the growth of the broader community. We have seen the increased cooperation with the Provincial Government, City Council, the Library Board, the Chamber of Commerce, the University of Saskatchewan, the Saskatoon Tribal Council and other community based organizations. There are many organizations to recognize and there are additional organizations to engage. Community engagement is a cornerstone to public education.

The Integrated Community Centres are an initiative to promote learning, arts, culture, athletics and recreation.

Successful Transitions
Many students, post secondary institutions and employers expressed concern about transitions from high school to future opportunities. I strongly supported successful transitions programs to address this issue. I am pleased that, in 2005, Saskatoon Public Schools partnered with the University of Saskatchewan to develop a Transition Program designed to allow students to develop the confidence, knowledge and skills required to succeed in a university setting. There are many more opportunities that need to be established and partnerships that need to be recognized, and I am committed to promoting and developing them.

Innovative Programming
In an environment of competing priorities, day to day programming and attention to responsible spending of tax dollars, it can be difficult to be innovative. In the past three years I have supported innovation as long as the outcomes can be measured against the tax dollar spent. Saskatoon is a diverse, growing city and as a Trustee I am committed to balancing educational innovation with responsible spending. Innovation occurs in the classroom, the home and the community. While there are numerous examples, some highlights over the last three years include:

• Literacy for Life
• Middle year programs
• Renewal of Eco Quest
• Media School at Evan Hardy
• Night classes at Mount Royal
• Optional full day Kindergarten
• Program for autistic students
• Centre of Excellence for Education Through the Arts
• Science Trek
• Cree Immersion
• Transition Program

Improving Our Community
As a Trustee, I have a responsibility to promote student success through responsible fiscal decisions. Over the past three years I have promoted this balance. This balance is not yet achieved. My contribution and learning over the past three years combined with my commitment to strong public education and property tax reduction provides me with the skills to continue to be a strong, positive advocate for citizens of Ward 6 and Saskatoon.