When a publicly-elected body seeks feedback from the public, it is expected that input is for decision-making. However, that did not appear to be the case at Aspen View Public Schools' board meeting Feb. 1.
When a publicly-elected body seeks feedback from the public, it is expected that input is for decision-making.
However, that did not appear to be the case at Aspen View Public Schools’ board meeting Feb. 1.
The issue arose during a discussion of whether it would be feasible in the 2018-19 school calendar for students to begin school after the Labour Day weekend. Draft versions of the school calendars begin school either Aug. 29 or Sept. 4.
While the board postponed a final decision – supposedly to gain more feedback – it very nearly voted on a motion to approve a calendar to keep the status quo, beginning school before Labour Day.
That is, until trustee Anne Karczmarczyk pointed out the division had said they would accept feedback on the school calendar until Feb. 16.
While trustees said they did not get feedback from all parent councils in time for their Feb. 1 meeting, superintendent Mark Francis also said most of what he heard was in favour of the starting after Labour Day.
Despite this, Francis indicated even if the division waited on more feedback before the final decision, “it’s not going to change (his) recommendation” for the early start date.
It may be that starting the school year before Labour Day is in the best interests of local education, but that is not the point. The point is the school board is turning a deaf ear to those who have put trust in their board to listen before making decisions.
Elected officials have no obligation to follow along with what stakeholders in the local education system have to say on particular issues, but they have been elected to represent those voices. When voices are ignored, that is when hitches in the system begin to form.
The whole democratic system is hinged on the principal of representation through election. As such, elected bodies should not be so quick to dismiss a feedback loop – which they asked for – before making a decision.
The board did the right thing to postpone a final decision. However, based on discussions around the table, it appeared trustees were fairly set on starting school earlier, regardless of what input says.
