The Saskatchewan government unveiled their education sector changes on April 5 when The Education Amendment Act, 2017 was tabled in the Saskatchewan Legislature.
Deputy Premier and Education Minister Don Morgan introduced Bill 63, which enacts recommendations for the Advisory Panel on Education Governance Renewal.
The Bill also moves to repeal numerous sections pertaining to the boards of education duties, powers, and responsibilities as well as school divisions administrative matters. These sections will be moved into regulations which will be drafted with input from the education sector.
The amendments are designed to deliver shifts in governance to allow for the implementation of a series of initiatives to make the education system more efficient and effective.
Amendments include:
– implementation of sector purchasing and services initiative to achieve efficiencies in the areas of transportation;
– bulk purchasing;
– a common salary grid for senior school division administrators;
– standardizing board member costs;
– reinforcing the value of school community councils as a vital part of school division governance;
– providing the Minister with oversight on student success targets and financial decisions.
Chinook School Division Director of Education Liam Choo-Foo has been seconded by the Ministry to lead the implementation of these changes. The amendments are anticipated to be in place for the 2017-2018 school year.
