Marino Gazzola, President OCSTA 2014 AGM & Conference President’s Report

2 > Provincial election – spring? > Bill 122 – the School Boards’ Collective Bargaining Act, 2014 reflects many of OCSTA recommendations – There are ten regulations designed to enable implementation of Bill 122 – Funding provided by Ministry helping to build the capacity of OCSTA to serve as the designated bargaining agent – Board of Directors has established a 3-person steering committee to guide activities – Provincial meeting of Chairs and Directors of Education being planned to discuss other important aspects of legislation, including ratification Provincial Election, Bill 122

3 > GSNs > Board Administration Grant creating concern for some boards > Met with Minister to discuss and now the government will roll out change over 4 years (instead of 2) to lessen impact. Finance

4 > Municipal Elections – October 27, 2014 > All four Trustee Associations working together to address public awareness of the role of trustees > Joint awareness effort may include public service announcements, posters, social media promotions 2014 Municipal Elections

5 Lobby Day – April 2, 2014 > Historic event – Mass celebrated at Queen’s Park > Delegation teams included representatives from: OCSTA, ACBO (Ontario Bishops) and OECTA > Teams met with Premier Wynne, Minister of Education, Opposition Leaders, & many other MPPs

6 > Inform MPPs about the value and contributions of Catholic schools to the vibrancy of their constituencies > Debunk myths being distributed by one-school system advocates regarding any savings to be realized through an elimination of Catholic schools. > Funding is per-pupil based  only way to lower costs would be to close hundreds of schools across Ontario  would create chaos and disrupt the lives of every family with children in public or Catholic schools > The last time the education sector went through amalgamation it “cost” Ontarians $1.1 billion dollars and resulted in higher costs throughout the system. Purpose of Lobby Day

7 > Dilemma faced by boards – protecting the Catholicity of our school environments – effectively addressing both Charter Rights and Denominational rights – very complex legal considerations. The Issue of Exemptions

8 > Annual Promotion – engages students through curriculum – Involves the community through activities – Helps to define the essence of Catholic education through a dedicated focus on the Gospel values and teachings of the church as they are demonstrated/lived out in our Catholic schools > Student Trustees create a historic moment via first Province-wide Mass – Message from Pope Francis Catholic Education Week

9

10 > Trustee Certificate Pilot Program created in partnership with University of St. Michael’s College (U of T) > 7 graduates > Details about the revised certificate program in 2014 will be announced soon. Trustee Certificate Program

11 Questions and Discussion