Education: 6pm Tonight is the monthly meeting of the francophone school board (Edm-NorthAB region) and my regular attempt to emulate @Jantafrench and live tweet the english translation in order to share the information widely. #frab @CSCNInfo /1
The link to the live meeting on YouTube is here: /2
The agenda /3 
Some interesting points on the agenda (1) meeting with Legal municipal council: context, a new francophone school is being built in Legal, construction is underway, I believe there may be an ask for some modifications /4
The always appreciated update on new school construction projects; looks like an update on the Franco [Alberta's only francophone newspaper] as there was a question of a type of agreement with the board /5
There are 4 francophone school boards that cover the territory of the entire province - these boards serve the parents who have the right to send their children to francophone schools under s.23 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms /6
And here we go. Starting with the land acknowledgement. /7
Starting with a delegation from Joris of the @LeCDEA - this is a community organization that does alot of heavy lifting in the area of economic and community development /8
The board had earlier asked or invited community organizations to come and make presentations on the services they provide and I think with a view to collaboration and partnership /9
Presenting explaining the services in relation to francophone schools, everything from bursaries, services to develop business plans/ entrepreneurs in the schools /10
Going over many programs developed for youth with budgeting skills and entrepreneurial focus in order to have kids learn economic and financial concepts /11
The organization @LeCDEA is looking to work closer with the board as this is an area that where they can bring expertise to assist the teachers in the schools by providing access to these programs - so that the youth can also contribute to the economy of Alberta /12
Teachers can pick a subject matter and the @LeCDEA can come and make a targeted presentation. /13
Q's and comments from Trustees expressing appreciation for ability to bring in a specialist into the classroom to assist teachers; thanking for their work; presentation well received. /14
Talking now about the Franco @JournalLeFranco and looking at what kind of publicity or partnership can be worked on /15
on to 7.1 Potter Greens land something? Fort Saskatchewan wants to be able to meet with the board. There is a time frame for making agreements for the allocation of school sites with the rural municipalities. /16
St Albert has indicated they are withdrawing from the existing agreement of allocation of school sites however the board had a meeting to work to establish an interim agreement on site allocation. /17
Comment from trustee @NathalieLachan6 noting that St Albert has been a leader on site allocation for the francophone board and glad to hear their willingness to continue to collaborate /18
On to registration numbers. As at March 3638 - so about 400 not yet registered /19
School calendars now. Certain schools not quite finalized for schools in Fort Mac and Wainwright. Context from Q of trustee JD Tremblay: Earlier meeting adopted Edmonton and region calendar to dovetail with local anglophone boards. /20
Legal topic went quick - about meeting with the municipality /21
Quick but more my slow attention. On to point 8 - report from the President @TanyaSaumure /22
Going over meetings and topics including infrastructure, the changes in the census, funding from the PLOE (federal funding from Heritage for minority language education, and other), transportation funding and busing distance /23
Further, costs of post-secondary. Meetings with multiple provincial, municipal and other board actors. Same message being made to all actors. Significant time being put in here. Merci! /24
Noting further discussions/meetings regarding pre-school and day cares in the schools. Discussions with @EPSBNews and @EdmCathSchools about the need of the francophone board to access their surplus sites (or those which should be surplus). /25
President @TanyaSaumure met with the outgoing president of the francophone ATA local 24 @Unite_24 in order to thank him for his work (7 years at the helm - bravo Eric Cloutier!) /26
Minister shared that in the past 10 years, 20 projects have 'seen the day'. Boards confirmed they will not be piloting the curriculum, she was disappointed. /29
Identity, culture and language are the elements that are missing - board would reconsider position if these elements were addressed. Minister was very firm that the curriculum will be in place by September 2022. Board identified the experts who will be doing their analysis /30
Q if the DEF was addressed (the french education department FED or DEF in french). Context the boards and community organizations have asked for the DEF to be returned. It was a focused group of people in the bureaucracy dedicated to francophone education. Taken away in 2017 /31
It was raised and not receptive to that change. The Minister intends on putting the program in place in 2021 September whether we pilot it or not - the board still wants to provide feedback. A working group with experts has been set up. /32
Trustee @ealary47 clarifying the board had not changed it's mind on whether to pilot or not (had notified the interest prior to) rather had not made it's mind until and after seeing the content of the curicullum, along with the feedback, that led to declining to participate. /33
On to 8.7 - meeting with school parents councils. Met with school Alexandre Tache @Ecole_AT - grade 5-6 has moved from la Mission school, some concern about Spruce Grove new school being lower on the capital plan list (this new school would help unclog the St.AB schools) /34
Meeting with Saint Christophe school had technical difficulties. Trustee @ealary47 gong over meeting with parents of Notre Dame in the west end - asked about the new lands that have been obtained for potential new schools in the west end /35
Trustee JD Tremblay noting question of parents about concern that Gvt would impose a curriculum upon the francophone boards. JDT noting that the board has a group working on the content that we will need (either way) /36
Courses on virtual mode for next year a Q raised by parents notes @ealary47 and clarity should be provided to parents /37
President @TanyaSaumure notes in regards to the comment raised by JDT that the boards have the right - they are now into a 'huis clos' or In Camera, so let's look a bit at what Tanya likely means when she says we have the right - whatchatalkingabout? /38
When the President says 'we have the right' she is referring to section 23 of the Charter. /39
When she says to a curriculum, she is referring to the Mahé case decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-cs…
"Establishment of programs of instruction". Okay, that was back in 1990. /41
June 12, 2020 - almost 1 year ago, the Supreme Court sets out that the Provincial governments pay damages for breach of the s.23 right decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-cs… /42
The decision lays out the obligation upon Trustees for francophone school boards to act. Their very purpose is to counter assimilation - that does not happen without active measures. /43
The boards have it within their power and authority to develop and implement a curriculum that does not violate the underlying purpose of our schools. It doesn't require a battle - they have the resources they can just do it. /44
This is not a partisan issue. We don't care what party you hang with. If the one in charge doesn't care enough to fix it, or to understand, then I don't see why they would bother to go out of their way to stop the board from doing as it requires /45
Alright ... so that was my interlude as the board remains In Camera or Huis Clos /46
But since we are at it, why not look at francophone schools here in Alberta. There is a real early historical board that goes back to the 20-30's in the Peace river area. I am more familiar with the Edmonton story. /47
In 1994 Hon. Premier Klein made it such that the francophone board came into existence. That was a big take away from the Mahé case - the right to independent management of a board by s.23 rights holders. /48
But we had a francophone school, Ecole Maurice Lavallée 10 years earlier - we were under the umbrella of Edm Catholic schools. I was a student in grade 1 when that school opened - my parents signed the petition that was circulating at church /49
That Mahé case talks about the kids in that school and the impact the decision will have for their future - I read that 1990 case in law school with @JFGDesBiens some 22 years later and it really hit me /50
The impact takes generations, both the impact of actions and inaction. The work that the Trustees and the francophone board as a whole does comes from the work of those that preceded them. /51
So thanks for hanging in there we are back to the meeting. /52
No more Hinshaw du du du, du du du waiting narrative /53
Now comments from the trustees about the report of activities from the President. Noting the work and importance of the consistent narrative/message - people who still do not know about francophone schools or the difference with immersion /54
Trustee JD Tremblay reporting on recruitment and visibility efforts. Billboards, FB and social media. Emphasis now on schools outside of Edmonton. /55
8.10 TEBA report @NathalieLachan6 meeting pushed back. I'm gonna admit this is one of the many acronyms that I am not familiar with. /56
Now rural caucus report @steve83956696 . Focused mental health, report from a Dr., discussion on funding , reducing explosive situations in school. Discussion with M LaGrange, noted trying to improve equivalent support for psychologists in schools and access to AHS services /57
Finance now with @ealary47 . Funding maintained for next year (saved 800kish) [as opposed to the 3 year average]. Flirting with a balanced budget (difficulties Covid, insurance) or within the targets set for this year (deficit within reserves). /58
Multiple variables for next years budget, don't or won't have all answers to variables (funding levels, inscriptions) by end of May but will have reasonable working model /59
Trustee Ismael noting a report that he sent in to the board about (I believe Edm Com Services?)/60
9.2 Reports on construction. Have some level of approval for more spaces in the main building rather than attaching portables to main building - this for St Vital school in Beaumont. AB Ed plans for future expansion with portables within the footprint - we are asking for now/61
So there are portables that are included in the building of the school from the start is typically the case - we are asking for that "portable" space to be permanant building./62
Trustee @NathalieLachan6 asking about an answer for the portables for Stony Plain proposed school - context municipality has been really good, just need the funding for a starter school asap /63
A La Decouverte new school construction and La Citadelle in Legal are moving along, good weather helps. Q still looking at September 2022 for openings; A yes. /64
DG asked the Province to re-align the boards request for addressing day-care funding, given the new federal budget announcement. /65
Talking about how a ground turning ceremony can happen for the new school constructions. Need to do something virtual/ect. I note on this side a school that has opened @Ecole_JM has also not had an opening ceremony. /66
Feasibility report received on project site for Gabrielle Roy (combo site) - but no details discussed. Recall earlier meetings that gvt had given funds for study. Wonder what the results were? /67
Now discussion on funding for online programing funding. Context - federal monies got the board over the hump last year to set up. Costs are teachers as kids pulled from large region and regular classes continue. Some ongoing from Prov - looking like most kids to return /68
Covid have (or have had) between 15-20 positive test within the 19 schools and similar numbers of staff in isolation, also have preventative isolation so have some complete classes where online for periods of time /69
Fortunate to be able to continue - the francophone Boreal school in Fort McMurray is for example the only school open in that area. The Province directs if a school or entire board goes online, requires Prov determination which wants in person to continue /70
Covid in schools- things can change quickly. Have adapted and will continue. Thanks again to all those in the education system going to work and getting it done in these crazy times we will someday look back upon. /71
Moving ahead on agenda to approving certain school principal and vice positions - new, probationary and renewals. Recommendation of Marie Claude Laroche for a 4 year term renewal at École Maurice Lavallée. BRAVO @mlaroche949 /72
Multiple others here - more than I can list. Big thanks to all those who are working in those important positions and a virtual celebration/thank you from the Trustees /73
Report on finances - capital plan given to Minister, further detail sheets to be provided by end of month. Funding for next year confirmed to be the same as last year. Funds IMR are different though- attributed $ to large projects, capital like roof. /74
CMR funds funds used last year, have to capitalize them, so roof, windows. Sounds like the funds are being allocated or divided differently - perhaps more flexibility as to how they are used in the budget. /75
Now point 12 from Director of Corporate Affairs Laura Devaney. Elections report: less than 6 months away. LAEA requires decisions for election from Trustees. Suggesting to put into place a rule to divide the territories to put into place sub-categories of voters. /76
We do not have details of the bylaw here - and so context is in order. First reading passed but no detail. Context is 3 Catholic and 3 Public Trustees elected. 2x2 from Edmonton and 1x2 from outside. So I wonder what the proposed change is in this regard /77
1 candidate name received for francophone school board trustee received. Noted to be on the website./78
So discussion here on changes to the voting and candidates policy and rules in the Education Act. Listen up this is important /79
Comment is from trustee @ealary47 that definition is limited to section 23 and that certain cannot participate. Pres @TanyaSaumure noting that board has asked for larger definition of francophone in the Ed Act. /80
This is something where there is not actually a clear answer. All I can say politely is I sure hope that the purpose of the schools does not become detached from s.23. /81
If the boards could apply the same discretion that they do in determining who enters the schools to me that would be great, but we should be careful of giving such wide definition in the law that there is no longer a boundary that accords with s.23 o/w why bother (just me) /82
The board is now going over allocating meetings and responsibilities and so clearing the decks of the minutia. Meeting coming to a close. /83
Trustee @ealary47 noting the importance of the new census rules coming into force (noting the campaigns ongoing for promotion) /84
Done. Merci to the Administrators, staff, teachers and trustees for all their hard work. The time, the dedication to our children and linguistic minority community - we see it and thank you for same. Merci and thank you for your interest in francophone education in 'Berta . /Fin
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