REGINA – The Saskatchewan School Boards Association wishes to congratulate Premier Brad Wall and the Saskatchewan Party on forming another majority government in Monday’s provincial election.
“During the Sask. Party’s first two terms in government, we built a relationship around priorities for education in our province, including through the first-ever Education Sector Strategic Plan,” SSBA President Connie Bailey said. “We know the government shares with elected school boards both a commitment and a responsibility to students, families and communities in Saskatchewan. We look forward to continue working with the government to support achievement for all of our children.”
Bailey also congratulated all newly elected or re-elected MLAs who won in their constituencies on Monday and thanked all who put their names forward on the ballots. She recognized in particular the successful candidates for both parties with backgrounds of service as elected school board trustees.
“Trustees in this province are locally elected to bring the voice of the public to public education,” said Bailey. “We are thankful for all the women and men who volunteer their time and efforts to serve students, families and communities in Saskatchewan. We know that trustees who have been chosen to serve now at the provincial level will do so in the same spirit of a deep commitment to the public.”
Regarding priorities for working with the government going forward, Bailey noted she looks forward to results of a review of the education funding formula that began last year. The SSBA continues to be supportive of that work and hopeful it will reflect principles identified by its members as important.
“Education is crucial to ensuring the next generation are the critical thinkers, the innovators, the leaders, the entrepreneurs, the employers, the workers and more,” Bailey said. “We share leadership with partners in the education sector and the relationship between our organization of elected trustees and the provincial government always has been, and will continue to be, a very important one.”
Bailey said school boards have always worked hard to find efficiencies and will continue in the spirit of fiscal responsibility, while ensuring the needs of students, families and local communities are met.
“Even when times are tough, we must continue to champion the crucial importance of education in ensuring our society’s members have the skills and abilities they need to contribute to the economy,” Bailey said. “We must champion our education system as one of hope and looking toward the future.”