REGINA – The 27 member boards of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association chose Jaimie Smith-Windsor as the new President of the organization during the SSBA’s Annual General Meeting this week.

Smith-Windsor, who had previously served on the SSBA Executive as Central Constituency Representative and Vice President, was acclaimed. Shawn Davidson will continue serving on the Executive, as Vice-President.

Smith-Windsor is in her fourth term serving as a trustee on the Saskatchewan Rivers Board of Education and is a champion for local voice in publicly funded education.

“Boards play a critical role in shaping education through democratic, student-centered and non-partisan leadership,” she said, noting she values the unified advocacy of public, Catholic, Indigenous, francophone, northern, urban and rural boards of education in addressing important issues arising in Saskatchewan education.

“We need to continually amplify the work of locally elected and autonomous boards of education,” she added.

Smith-Windsor, who lives in the Resort Village of Elk Ridge with her partner and three teenagers, is committed to reconciliation and supporting Indigenous education and trusteeship. She aspires to high-performance and ethical governance and upholding core values of excellence, respect for diversity and achievement for all students.

“We need to advocate for the kind of investment in education that enables innovation,” Smith-Windsor said. “Our students’ needs are diverse. They deserve our very best efforts to secure the resources they need to thrive.”

A business owner with 19 years of experience in the construction industry, Smith-Windsor holds a graduate degree in Political Science, has held teaching and research positions and is a published scholar.

The SSBA Provincial Executive members are all school board trustees. Representatives for the SSBA’s seven constituencies are chosen by the constituency members. All 27 school boards in the province are eligible to vote for the SSBA President and Vice-President. A number of other Executive members were returned during the AGM.

Along with Smith-Windsor and Davidson, the 2022-23 Executive includes constituency representatives Jerome Niezgoda (Catholic), Christine Gradin (Central), Élizabeth Perreault (Conseil scolaire Fransaskois), Kimberly Greyeyes (Indigenous), Nathan Favel (Northern), Robert Bachmann (Southern) and Donna Banks (Urban Public).

The Executive advocates with a unified, province-wide voice on matters identified as important by the membership, promotes the important work of boards in improving outcomes for all students and builds relationships with key partners and stakeholders to ensure views of boards are represented.

REGINA – The Holy Trinity Catholic School Division Board of Education has received the 2022 Premier’s Board of Education Award for Innovation and Excellence in Education for the submission of “Post-Graduation Community Transition: Holy Trinity Catholic School Division, Moose Jaw Kinsmen Inclusion Centre Partnership”.

The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) co-ordinates the Premier’s Award each year. The award was presented on behalf of Premier Scott Moe during the SSBA’s Annual General Assembly on Monday.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to recognize Holy Trinity Catholic School Division Board of Education, as the recipient of the Premier’s Award for their dedication to innovation, inclusion and student success,” said Premier Scott Moe. “The Post-Graduation Community Transition partnership, is a testament of the great things that can be achieved when sectors come together with the goal of providing the best possible outcomes for Saskatchewan’s young people.”

In its application for the award, Holy Trinity said the program provides meaningful transitional opportunities after formal graduation at 18, improves the provision of services and supports students in independence, social well-being, career training and work experience and life skills.

“What started as a challenge to provide programming for students after graduation, with their age-appropriate peers, and continuing at school until the age of 22, has turned into something truly exceptional,” said Joann Blazieko, Board Chair. “The innovation stemmed from the willingness to think outside the box and listen to all stakeholders. The goals were to enhance student learning, ensure smooth transitions from K-12 Education to the larger community, enhance future employment opportunities and improve the quality of life for each individual student. It takes a community to raise a child and this partnership with Moose Jaw Families for Change at the Kinsmen Inclusion Centre, Kinsmen Café, Kinsmen Community Gardens and in the greater community will continue to benefit our students in the years to come.”

The $3,000 award has been sponsored by Xerox Canada since its development in 1999. The award recipient is recommended by a panel of education sector partners. Xerox is pleased to continue the long-standing partnership with the SSBA through the sponsorship of the Premier’s Award.

“Our history at Xerox is one that is defined by continuous innovation,” said Mike Tulk, Vice-President. “This is driven by a diverse employee base focused on creating new ideas to solve the business problems of today and into the future. It is a great honour to once again be associated with the prestigious Premier’s Award for Innovation and Excellence in Education. Congratulations to Holy Trinity School Division on behalf of Xerox Canada.”

To view a video about the award recipients, please visit: https://youtu.be/dtqzoNIudJk

At its assembly, the SSBA also recognized long-time employee Geraldine Knudsen with an Honorary Life Membership. Scholarships were also presented, to Sung Park and Wilson Williams, both graduates of Regina Public Schools.

REGINA – Every dollar invested in K-12 education generates more than four dollars in economic activity in Saskatchewan – and roughly 1 in 11 jobs in the province depends on school divisions.

These are among the findings of a new analysis on the economic impact of Saskatchewan school boards on the provincial economy by Praxis Consulting, a Saskatchewan-based research firm.

Through a review of school board spending and high school graduate post-secondary and labour market outcomes, the study demonstrated significant economic benefits to the province of a sound and well-funded Kindergarten to Grade 12 education system, according to its final report, which is now publicly available for review on the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) website.

“As school boards, we know that education is the most important investment we can make for the future of our youth and our economy – and the results of this study clearly demonstrate that,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA, which commissioned the Praxis economic impact report.

“It’s time to talk more about education in this province and what true investment looks like,” he added.

Through operational spending and graduate productivity, school divisions generate more than $8.3 billion in gross economic activity and $5.4 billion in gross domestic product, accounting for seven per cent of the total provincial GDP, and 51,754 jobs. With a K-12 budget of just under $2 billion in 2020-21 (including capital projects), each dollar invested creates $4.20 in gross economic activity, $2.80 in gross domestic product, and $1.60 in labour income, according to the findings in the Praxis report.

On that $2 billion invested by the province, it receives a direct return back of more than $556 million in provincial revenues generated, along with all of the economic activity generated across the province.

“These numbers show that investment in education is a smart use of public dollars,” Davidson said. “We believe every student should have the resources to succeed in school and we encourage all to support true investment in our publicly funded education system – and in Saskatchewan’s youth.”

The Praxis analysis presented results based on standard methodologies for estimating economic contributions for sub-national geographies. The results are the sum of direct, indirect, and induced impacts from spending and high school graduates’ post-secondary and labour market outcomes.

Related Files:

Fact Sheet 1: Economic Impact

Fact Sheet 2: Economic Impact

REGINA – Joining with communities across the country, schools throughout the province will again be officially recognizing “Orange Shirt Day” on Friday, Sept. 30, as requested annually by the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA).

Sept. 30 has also been proclaimed federally as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

“This day represents an opportunity for each one of us to think about residential schools, expand our understanding of this history and commit to growing together through education toward reconciliation,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, SSBA president.

“On behalf of our 27 member boards of education, the SSBA is encouraging school communities, and all residents of the province, to participate in Orange Shirt Day by wearing orange and taking the time to reflect on residential schools this Friday.”

Orange Shirt Day is part of a larger movement in the country to provide opportunity to unite in a spirit of reconciliation and hope for future generations. The movement is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event held in B.C. in 2013, emerging out of the account of a young girl having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school.

The day was first proclaimed in Saskatchewan in 2016, in response to a resolution passed by the province’s trustees at the SSBA Spring General Assembly. The Government of Saskatchewan proclaims the day each year at the SSBA’s request.

“Orange Shirt Day encourages Saskatchewan schools, communities, and residents to learn and talk about our commitments to truth and reconciliation and to help build more inclusive communities for the future,” said Education Minister Dustin Duncan. “This day provides Saskatchewan schools with important opportunities to come together and have meaningful dialogue in the spirit of reconciliation.”

REGINA – As students begin returning to school, Thursday (Sept. 1) has been officially proclaimed “Provincial Students’ Day” in Saskatchewan, as requested annually by the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA).

“As we welcome students, staff and families back to school, Provincial Students’ Day is a good opportunity to issue a reminder about school-zone safety,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA. “We are encouraging all Saskatchewan communities to pay close attention as our roads, walkways and school zones get busier with returning students and staff.”

Provincial Students’ Day was first proclaimed in 2010, in response to a resolution passed by the province’s trustees at the SSBA 2009 Annual General Meeting. It is usually proclaimed on the first Tuesday of September. This year, it was moved to coincide with the change in school-year start.

The day has always been focused on helping ensure safety is the primary consideration for students, families and communities, and especially for motorists who will be driving in and around school zones. The Government of Saskatchewan proclaims the day each year at the SSBA’s request, with the intent of reinforcing the message of care and concern for students going to and from school.

“Ensuring students and school staff have a safe and welcoming school, is of the utmost importance to the Government of Saskatchewan,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said. “Thank you to the Saskatchewan School Boards Association for proclaiming September 1 as Provincial Students Day, which raises awareness surrounding the importance of school zone safety. I’d like to remind drivers to slow down and be alert, as excited children travel to and from schools starting this week.”

REGINA – Ten schools in Saskatchewan will each receive a $10,000 grant to support student nutrition after being selected to win this year’s Mosaic School Nutrition Challenge.

“Mosaic is proud to support the Mosaic School Nutrition Challenge, now in its 16th year, by funding 10 new, exciting projects,” said Sarah Fedorchuk, Vice President, Government & Public Affairs, North America. “The winning schools have identified innovative and inclusive ways to implement nutrition education and programming that will have a lasting impact on students and their schools.”

The grants will support winning projects that have goals including implementing or expanding nutrition programs, enhancing kitchen and garden facilities, increasing educational opportunities for students and families and supporting reconciliation and cultural projects.

Schools from across the province submitted their projects to compete for the total of $100,000 in prizes, provided by Mosaic. Schools receiving grants this year are part of the Good Spirit, Horizon, Living Sky, Northern Lights, Prairie Spirit, Prairie Valley, Regina Catholic, Saskatoon Public and South East Cornerstone school divisions and the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.

To encourage grassroots initiatives to help improve student nutrition, this program, formerly known as the Mosaic Extreme School Makeover Challenge, began in 2006.

“We continue to see exciting ideas come forward in this 16th year of the Mosaic Challenge,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA. “Saskatchewan school boards are very grateful for Mosaic’s ongoing generosity and continued commitment to this program.”

Backgrounder: Mosaic School Nutrition Challenge 2022 Recipients

REGINA – The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) is recognizing the small increase in funding for the school system in today’s provincial budget, while also emphasizing that the increase falls short of covering operating and inflationary costs.

“The operating increase announced in the 2022-23 budget does not cover operating expenses for school divisions,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA. “School boards may have difficult decisions to make, once again.”

Boards have worked very hard to find efficiencies with buildings, transportation and office procedures – but when the operational funding doesn’t cover inflationary costs, the dollars aren’t there to pay for any investment or additional services that students need.

“We have been advocating for adequate, sustainable and predictable operational funding for quite some time and we have noticed that the ability of boards to deliver services to students has been eroded over the last several years,” Davidson said.

As school divisions receive their operational budget details through the education funding distribution model, they will have a better sense of the local budget response and circumstances, which might vary among regions, he noted.

School boards recognize ongoing investment in capital projects. They also continue to advocate for strategic co-ordination with the Ministry of Health on mental health and wellness initiatives and are encouraged by some additional dollars for that.