October 13, 2023

Looking ahead to a great Fall Conference and AGM

In just a few days, we will gather in Edmonton for the annual PSBAA Fall Conference and AGM.

It has been a year of change, with a spring provincial election and a new Education Minister. We welcomed two new member boards to the Association—Pembina Hills and Peace River—and held wonderful meetings with other potential members. We have taken advantage of numerous opportunities to meet new people and build relationships and collaboration. On reflection, I am truly grateful and thankful.

Earlier this year, our Association approved its new five-year strategic plan. This was our first strategic, forward-thinking plan that was inspired and informed by your voice as members and public school board trustees.

The voice of all public school boards is so important. The more we collaborate together as a single, united voice, the stronger we are. We are the one Association that advocates for and speaks on behalf of public schools, public school education and all public school boards in Alberta. This is your Association, and the strategic plan reflects your priorities for us over the next five years: advocacy; Indigenous relations; member services; membership growth and professional learning.

We want the PSBAA to be a positive and productive voice for change – for the betterment of all K-12 students in Alberta. Advocacy is the cornerstone of our Association, and public education truly is the foundation of a strong Alberta. The provincial election is behind us, but not our need to continue sharing the message about the foundational nature of public school education. In particular, we need to continue communicating that “schools of choice” need to get in line behind schools of necessity, like public schools.

We will continue to do more to improve Indigenous relations, including advancing the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on education in Alberta, increase member services and benefits, build relationships and attract new members.

We will also continue to offer you professional learning opportunities that you simply can’t get anywhere else. At this year’s Fall Conference, we will have exceptional learning from Glenn Tecker, who is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s foremost experts on leadership, strategy and governance.

At the heart of everything we do is creating optimal conditions for student education and academic success. Events like our Fall Conference and AGM help us do just that. I’m looking forward to seeing you in Edmonton, and spending time with you and your board colleagues in great conversation and learning. See you there!

Dennis MacNeil, PSBAA President