OCSTA 2017 Regional Meetings Patrick J. Daly, President President’s Report OCSTA 2017 Regional Meetings Patrick J. Daly, President

CDSB Administrative Leaders Jody DiRocco, Algonquin Chris Roehrig, Brant Marianne Mazzorato, Dufferin-Peel Anne O’Brien, Durham Bill Gartland, Eastern Ontario Paula Dawson, Halton David Hansen, Hamilton Vince MacDonald, Huron-Perth Rose Burton-Spohn, Huron-Superior Phyllis Eikre, Kenora Linda Staudt, London John Crocco, Niagara Anna Marie Bitonti, Nipissing-PS Tricia Stefanic-Weltz, Northeastern Brendan Hyatt, Northwest Denise Andre, Ottawa Michael Nasello, Peterborough Jaime Perry, Renfrew Brian Beal, Simcoe Muskoka Dan Parr, St. Clair Joanne Benard, Sudbury Alexa McKinnon, Superior North Pino Tassone, Thunder Bay Rory McGuckin, Toronto Loretta Notten, Waterloo Tamara Nugent, Wellington Paul Picard, Windsor-Essex Patricia Preston, York

CDSB Chairs John Brisbois, Algonquin Rick Petrella, Brant Haldimand Beverley Eckensweiler, Bruce-Grey Mario Pascucci, Dufferin-Peel John Rinella, Durham Todd Lalonde, Eastern Ontario Diane Rabenda, Halton Patrick Daly, Hamilton-Wentworth Mike Miller, Huron-Perth John Caputo, Huron-Superior Frank Bastone, Kenora John Jevnikar, London Fr. Paul MacNeil, Niagara Barbara McCool, Nipissing PS Rick Brassard, Northeastern David Sharp, Northwest Elaine McMahon, Ottawa Michelle Griepsma, Peterborough David Howard, Renfrew Carol Corriveau-Truchon, Simcoe Muskoka John Van Heck, St. Clair Michael Bellmore, Sudbury Hugh McCorry, Superior North Bob Hupka, Thunder Bay Angela Kennedy, Toronto Joyce Anderson, Waterloo Marino Gazzola, Wellington Barb Holland, Windsor-Essex Carol Cotton, York

Ontario’s Catholic Trustees

Preparing for the Future “The Church of the 1980’s still holds a nostalgic place in our religious imaginations and shows up in discussions about how to move forward. But if we hope to maintain vitality in today’s world, we must study these emerging trends and prepare for a different future.” From Catholic Parishes of the 21st Century

Executive Compensation Framework Legislated under the Broader Public Sector Executive Compensation Act, 2012 Created to help address recruitment and retention challenges Compliance deadline for boards to submit local executive compensation plans to the Ministry of Education: September 29, 2017 Ministry approved local Framework to be posted on board website as part of public consultation Provincial working group will provide boards with communication strategy.

School Consolidation / Rural Schools The MoE consultation paper asked questions re: The opportunities for school boards to share space Ways to control the impact of school closures on local communities Ways to address the education funding needs of rural and remove communities Membership discussed paper at spring AGM Community Hubs: in 2017-18 the Ministry will consider supporting the sale of surplus schools at less than fair market value where there is a provincial interest to enable viable community hubs, while keeping school boards whole.

2018 Election Activities Ministry of Education is in the process of establishing a working group to review the recommendations of the Campbell Report and to potentially modify the procurement process for school bus operators. During this pre-election period we are focused on keeping political parties informed on our system priorities as they develop their party policy platforms for the campaign season. As is our practice during election years, OCSTA will be requesting of each major party leader, their responses to key questions on issues of priority to CDSBs. These responses will be shared with all members to help support advocacy efforts.

Transportation Competitive Procurement Working Group: The Ministry of Education is in the process of establishing a working group to review the recommendations of the Campbell Report and to potentially modify the procurement process for school bus operators. Student Transportation Funding Working Group: In July, the Ministry announced the establishment of a committee to review the student transportation funding model. Joan Green and Michael Paulin have been appointed co-chairs for this group. OCSTA has expressed interest in participating in both working groups.

Bill 148 An Act to Amend the Employment Standards At, 2000 and Labour Relations At, 1995 OCSTA met with the Independent School Bus Operators Association of Ontario to discuss the impacts increases on the minimum wage would have on their member companies. They indicated that operating costs would likely increase by approximately 30% and potentially force small firms out of business. OCSTA supports a just wage to ensure fairness for Ontario’s workers. Concerns shared by OCSTA with Ministry of Education and the Standing Committee reflect potential impacts that should be taken into account by the MoE re: school board operations and budgets. OCSTA’s submission offers some suggestions for clarifying parts of Bill 148 in respect of possible changes to the Labour Relations Act.

Bill 148 – Financial Impact Various new costs are associated with proposed changes in Bill 148 including proposed amendments to vacation pay, equal pay for equal work for part-time employees and increases in personal emergency leaves. These changes will impose additional operational and administrative burdens on school boards– any new increase in costs should be factored into the Ministry of Education’s overall grant calculations. Proposed changes to the Labour Relations Act to allow the Labour Relations Board to review the structure of bargaining units and to make orders in respect of those bargaining units. This may provide for the reconfiguration of non-teacher bargaining units that could have a significant impact on the negotiation and application of both local and central terms of negotiation in future rounds of bargaining for school boards. This could also have significant cost impacts on board budgets.

In the News One school system advocates use the media to attempt to make the elimination of publicly funded Catholic schools a priority for Ontarians. OCSTA uses the media as well (and when appropriate) to counter myths, present facts and promote publicly funded Catholic education in Ontario.

Together in Faith Over 10,000 on OCSTA’s growing list of supporters This fall: TIF banner ads for Catholic school websites and campaign post cards Thank you gift for supporters – TIF Calendar http://www.togetherinfaith.ca/calendar2 OCSTA annual YouTube Contest for CDSB students in grades 4-12: “Stewards of Creation - http://www.ocsta.on.ca/media-centre/2017-short-video-contest/

Legal Challenges, FOI Trinity Western University Case – OCSTA intervened as part of the Coalition of Catholic Trustees’ Associations (includes Alberta, Saskatchewan and CCSTA). Theodore Case (Saskatchewan) – an important case for Catholic education that OCSTA is following very closely and continuing to discuss with other Catholic trustees and OECTA Freedom of Information Requests

From The Courage to Teach by Parker J. Palmer Conclusion To educate is to guide students on an inner journey toward more truthful ways of being and seeing in the world. How can schools perform their mission without encouraging the guides to scout that inner terrain. From The Courage to Teach by Parker J. Palmer