INNISFAIL - The creation of new professional organization for school superintendents in Alberta will be good news for the public and for students in all grades, says Chinook’s Edge School Division superintendent Kurt Sacher.
Recently announced by Alberta Education, the new organization is outlined in Bill 55, the College of Alberta School Superintendents Act. If passed, it would create a college responsible for upholding the superintendent profession in public, separate and Francophone school authorities.
“It really embeds standards of professional practice into our work,” said Sacher. “It allows us, like other professional organizations, to hold each other accountable to the highest professional standards that you would expect us to be held to.
“These are just additional standards that go beyond the standards that we are already held accountable to by our boards. From a public perspective, because of those standards it’s going to improve school systems and make things better for staff and kids in school divisions.”
The new organization will encourage professional development, which is another benefit, he said, noting the change is something superintendents themselves have been asking for.
The legislation will strengthen the education system and empower superintendents to provide better outcomes for Alberta students, says education minister Adriana LaGrange.
“Having an education system full of tremendously professional leaders will foster better outcomes for all students across the province, which is something Alberta parents and students deserve.”
The college will also be responsible for offering professional development to its members and setting learning requirements, she said.
The college will not assume union functions, engage in collective bargaining or assist in negotiating employment contracts.
The legislation also explicitly clarifies that superintendents respect the authority of the school board as their employer.
The legislation is scheduled to be passed and proclaimed by September.
“This (legislation) will strengthen Alberta’s education system and provide better outcomes for our students,” said Bevan Daverne, president of the College of Alberta School Superintendents.
