Sask. school boards president named new VP of Canadian School Boards Association

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Saskatchewan School Boards Association president Jaimie Smith-Windsor says she’s humbled to have the ability to carry her advocacy to the nationwide degree because the new vice-president of the Canadian School Boards Association.

Smith-Windsor, additionally a trustee for the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division in Prince Albert, was acclaimed on the CSBA’s AGM in July whereas Alan Campbell from Manitoba was re-elected as CSBA president.

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“I think there’s a big opportunity for when you get involved at the national level to elevate some key priority areas for school boards in the provinces of Saskatchewan, but also in jurisdictions across Canada,” Smith-Windsor stated.

In this new function, Smith-Windsor says she is happy to hitch the “really exciting work” already being carried out by the nationwide group, together with a partnership with the University of Regina creating modules for trustees about anti-racism and fairness in school-board governance.

“It was made with the involvement of trustees, for trustees and supported by the University of Regina, which I think is a really neat provincial connection,” she stated.

“I think it’s becoming more important to take a look at the governance level and the decision-making tables and making sure that there is diversity and representation from across different equity groups at those tables.”

She additionally pointed to work being carried out on the nationwide degree round Indigenous education.

“This past July, at our National Congress, we had our first ever Governance Partnership Award, which is awarded to school boards who are partnering with First Nations in innovative ways … to focus and advance reconciliation,” Smith-Windsor stated.

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“So (I am) excited about some of the promising practices that we are able to support through the national work.”

The CSBA can be working with exterior organizations round implementation and accountability associated to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and has been advocating for for Indigenous language revitalization.

The CSBA has additionally championed packages associated to complete school well being, such because the National School Food Program coverage introduced final spring, which was endorsed by the affiliation.

“That was a real success for the Canadian School Boards Association, for all school boards in Saskatchewan and all jurisdictions and all of the partners and community organizations who have worked toward this,” stated Smith-Windsor, including that there is a chance for school boards to innovate in this system.

“Saskatchewan is a great example. There isn’t a lot of existing policy that is going to get in the way of true innovation around the delivery of school food programs. So we hope that as programs develop, they can be culturally relevant and very responsive to our communities.”

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In Saskatchewan, Smith-Windsor hopes these efforts might develop into long-lasting farm-to-school vitamin packages.

“There’s some really neat things that are starting and it’s nice to be part of that,” she stated.

The CSBA has additionally partnered with Western University and a analysis group to take a look at trustee and school board considerations concerning the loss of involvement of most people in school system decision-making throughout Canada.

“In some cases, that has meant the removal of boards of education as part of the decision-making structure and then in other parts of the country there’s a notable shift away from public involvement in school board decision making, and so that research is really important,” stated Smith-Windsor.

The election of school boards is a trademark of democracy in Canada, she added.

“Some provinces’ school boards predate the formation of the province itself, and it’s just such an important way for communities to have a voice in education and to ensure that education always belongs to community.”

Smith-Windsor stated the analysis has offered sturdy suggestions for school boards on learn how to promote democratic participation on the school board degree.

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“I’m excited to be part of that work,” she stated, significantly because it pertains to her personal group of Prince Albert.

“Education is often thought of as a provincial jurisdiction, but increasingly there is more and more happening at the national level that is very relevant to our communities.”

And vice-versa, she stated, including that the new function is a “great opportunity to provide some Saskatchewan perspective at a national level.”

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”

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