STF, province hopeful about potential accountability framework

Article content

After nearly three months of job action, the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) and the province are both hopeful the possibility of an accountability framework in a new collective bargaining agreement will create a path forward.

Discussions are ongoing about a framework to provide accountability for how school divisions spend funds to address class size and complexity, but there are no details on what the structure would actually look like, Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill told reporters after question period Tuesday.

Article content

Article content

“Wherever we land with it, I do think it’ll be an opportunity for there to be teacher voices and further accountability and transparency on how school divisions allocate dollars and resources in their respective communities,” Cockrill said.

Earlier this month, the STF said it would be prepared to return to the bargaining table if the government was willing to provide assurances that boards could not use new funding for anything other than student supports and include a reporting mechanism on the use of those funds.

In February, the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) proposed a framework that would see reporting done at local levels, and then compiled at the provincial level in accordance with the Provincial Education Plan.

But so far, nothing proposed by the STF or SSBA have proven to be the light at the end of the tunnel for the ongoing dispute. Instead, that light comes in the form of the provincial government’s latest offer.

“It gives me a little bit of hope we are getting closer to a resolution on the ongoing dispute over classroom size and complexity,” said STF president Samantha Becotte in an interview Wednesday. “We need to know there’s a mechanism in place to ensure school boards and school division administration are using funds in the best way possible to support our students.”

Article content

Article content

There is still a $256-million shortfall to get Saskatchewan back to the point when it was first in the country for per-student funding, she said, but added she’s looking forward to what the framework could look like in terms of the bargaining process.

“It’s showing some hope and giving me some optimism for a potential resolution,” Becotte said.

With actual details on what the accountability framework might look like few and far between, Becotte said the union wants to ensure it doesn’t just mandate reporting on spending, but that there is a mechanism to keep divisions accountable. There also needs to be assurances that details of the framework are guaranteed and cannot be unilaterally removed by one party of the agreement.

“Whenever both sides are talking, that’s a positive thing,” said Cockrill on Tuesday, adding he prefers both parties do so at the bargaining table.

While the withdrawal of extracurriculars continues, concerns over the impact job action may have on things like graduation loom. Cockrill said the ministry is looking at options to support local school boards to ensure graduation activities are not affected if job action does continue that late into the school year.

Article content

“When it comes to graduation, certainly we’re reviewing our options and understanding what is in the realm of possibility,” he said, adding he didn’t have any further details to share.

Both sides agree they are close on a number of items, which Becotte said could lead to a swift conclusion once they can get back to the table.

“It wouldn’t take a significant amount of time to reach an agreement if classroom complexity were to be addressed in some meaningful way that is going to provide improvements to students and teachers,” said Becotte. “There’s been a little more willingness to engage in conversations on some of the other items.”

Cockrill said an invitation to get back to the bargaining table has been extended.

“We didn’t receive a response to that, but certainly Miss Becotte and I will continue speaking,” he said.

AnAmato@Postmedia.com

Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add LeaderPost.com and The StarPhoenix.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.

Article content