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Board of Trustees values community inputAt the public Board meeting Dec. 20, there are a variety of topics being discussed. Trustees are discussing how the CBE is progressing towards achieving one of its Ends, E2: Academic Success, the challenges the CBE faces in meeting the learning needs of students with the current funding for facilities and proposals regarding Board procedures and stakeholder reports. However, board procedures and stakeholder reports have been taking centre stage in recent media reports. Some of these reports do not provide our stakeholders with a full appreciation that these topics are under discussion and nothing has yet been decided. That is why we are taking this opportunity to set the record straight, and address any concerns our stakeholders may have. Each and every week trustees attend a wide range of meetings and events with CBE students, teachers, staff, and parents. Trustees also meet regularly with community groups, education associations and other groups working to improve the learning experience of Calgary students. They spend more time connecting directly with stakeholders in one month of these ongoing activities than one year of stakeholder reports can provide. Stakeholder reports can be no longer than three minutes and often these reports represent the views of an individual rather than a large group of constituents. Stakeholder reports do not provide trustees with a full picture of what the community thinks. They provide only a glimpse into the perspectives of our many stakeholders. Another concern is that, in their current format, stakeholder reports do not provide a chance for a CBE response. They do not result in a meaningful dialogue on the topic during the meeting. The Board of Trustees is committed to connecting with stakeholders. We are focused on gaining a better understanding of community perspectives, and we know there are better ways to achieve this. Our efforts to explore new ways for the Board of Trustees to work together is part of a larger effort to improve Board governance and ensure we are connecting with the right people in the right ways to meet the needs of our students. We know there are better ways to engage with supporters of public education and that is why we are discussing these matters at the Dec. 20 Board meeting. At all times, the Board of Trustees welcomes the chance to hear the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of our stakeholders. We know that it is only through our collective wisdom that we will be able to offer our students a high-quality education. The Board of Trustees has chosen to have a discussion on these topics in public. The proposal has been posted on our website and it will be discussed at a public meeting. That is what transparency is all about. We are proud to work with the Calgary community in achieving world-class results for our public education system.
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