Red Deer Public Schools trustee calls for unified education system – rdnewsnow.com

A long-time Red Deer Public Schools trustee says its time for change.

At Wednesdays board meeting, Dianne Macaulay, who is also Director of Zone Four for the Alberta School Boards Association, introduced a notice of motion asking fellow trustees to support advocating for a unified public school system.

Such a system, in her mind, would allow for locally-elected school boards to offer Catholic programs as well as other faith and program options.

It is important to note that this initiative does not call for the abolition of Catholic programs in Alberta, but rather contemplates the potential for public school boards to grow and expand faith program offerings, she says. This is no different than Red Deer Public operating French Immersion programs which do not challenge the existence of the constitutionally protected Francophone School Boards.

Macaulay notes that Red Deer Public Schools supports programs of choice where there is demand, and a move like this would mean more choice, not less.

She says while they are engaged in a dialogue on curriculum redesign, perhaps it is also time to answer the bigger question about program or system redesign.

I support choice within public school districts. All Alberta taxpayers pay for public education in this province and yet we have two school systems that are only for students of one religion, she adds.

Catholic schools arent under the constitution and that is the argument that you will get from individuals that aren't quite up to date with why Catholic schools were first allowed in our province in 1905. It's as simple as a vote in the legislature to re-evaluate our education system." Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools board chair Guy Pelletier is not in favour of unification, and disagrees with Macaulays claim regarding constitutionality.

Catholic education exists as a constitutional right and they do operate quite differently than simply a religious or Catholic program within a public setting. The Catholic education is delivered in whole to educate the students' mind and spirit, so it's not just a simple question of putting a cross on the wall and offering a religious class."

Red Deer Public board chair Bev Manning says the discussion has been growing across the province since former Education Minister David King said publicly last month that public and Catholic school boards should amalgamate.

The board certainly will look at the motion and have a very valuable discussion around it. I think we've got a great board here in Red Deer and we work hard at trying to make sure we get all the information before we make a vote, Manning said Thursday. I am anticipating we will get all the information out there that we can and have a good, open discussion about the motion and see where it goes.

A vote on Macaulays notice of motion will be held at the Red Deer Public Schools board meeting on May 10.

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Red Deer Public Schools trustee calls for unified education system - rdnewsnow.com