What are the issues for Edmonton Catholic Schools ? 

In response to your concerns, Marilyn's priorities are:

1. Fiscal Accountability and Strong Oversight
2. Catholic Values in Education 
3. Student Needs
4. Effective and  Representation and Clear Communications
5. Responsible Governance
6. Control of Programs and Lateral Expansion

As supporters of Edmonton Catholic Schools, you deserve to have your voice heard, and to see your concerns addressed!
   
To learn more about where Marilyn stands on these issues and how she can help you, please contact her any anytime. Marilyn wants to hear from you. 

Fiscal Accountability and Funding: 

We need transparency and accountability in the use of public dollars.  With Provincial Government budgetary restraints impacting funding, we need to work hard to ensure that sufficient funds are available for all our programs, and that all spending is controlled and in accordance with the priorities of our District.  We need to advocate for our students, assess spending, redeploy funds where needed, and then follow up with diligent audits of that spending. 
When we can comprehensively account for our spending, we can make a strong case to the Ministry that more funds are needed to provide the quality education and programs that Alberta Education requires the Board to provide.  

Catholic Values in Education: 

ECS must continue with its vision of promoting Catholic values as part of educating the whole child.  As a catholic system we need to continue to strive to see that the core values of our faith are celebrated and permeated across the curriculum. Our school age children spend a tremendous amount of time at school with their teachers and friends.  That makes the school environment of vital importance for their spiritual and emotional growth as well as their academic development. 

In a world where social problems go unresolved and violence sometimes threatens members of our society, our children need an environment where safety, comfort, and love are found.  They need to develop the confidence that God is watching over them. 
We, as parents and administration, need to lead by example and emphasize the core Catholic values such as neighbourly love, compassion, and respect.   [Back to top]
 

Students Needs:

The strength of Edmonton Catholic Schools can be measured by the quality of our graduates, and we need to provide the best and most advanced resources for our students.  This includes up to date text books, incorporation of technology, appropriate class sizes and composition, as well as qualified teachers teaching in their areas of expertise and trained in information technology and communications (ITC). These are areas where continuous improvement must be the norm, so that our entire education system is current and effective.

In addition to the conventional and ongoing needs of all our students, another critical responsibility is to provide for students with special or exceptional learning needs. This requires early identification and intervention, access to specially trained staff in a wide spectrum of disciplines, and work with the Government to provide wrap-around services including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and others. Further, we need to work with parents in a meaningful way and embrace the expertise that they have acquired in advocating for their children.

In this growing field of research, new technologies have allowed researchers to image the brain at work and determine the neurological differences in the way people with learning disabilities process information. Canadians have contributed high quality research about effective classroom based interventions to support children at risk for reading problems, including the reading disability of dyslexia. This research points to the importance of early identification and support, and reinforces how important it is for us to respond to the latest research, be willing to listen, learn and adapt our programs to best facilitate new learning techniques.

Current funding does not allow us to provide all of the services necessary to meet our goals, particularly when we respond to the governments wishes in integrating our special needs students into the mainstream as much as we can. As we transition from the current coding system to the inclusionary one we must find dollars to provide support to the teachers. This includes special needs teaching assistants (SNTAs), immediate preparation and training for teachers and SNTA's, improved teacher training at our post secondary institutions, and long term sustainable funding to support the goals as set out in the Government's "Setting the Direction" report.

As chair of the Board’s advocacy committee in my present term, I facilitated a power point presentation to the Edmonton area MLA's which highlighted  some of our important programs such as STEPPS (for students who are struggling with mental and other behavioral issues). STEPPS is a partnership with AHS (Alberta Health Services) and is a true example of the wrap around services model. We also highlighted with MLAs our early intervention programs. I stressed that an investment today will save tax payers over time as early intervention shows marked lifelong gains in both literacy and numeracy. Added to this, we highlighted programs at risk due to lack of funding. 

I believe education is integral to our society and economy. Without this investment, Albertans and their children will continue the roller coaster ride associated with a resource based economy. Education therefore must be tied to a long term vision/plan as part of a strategy to diversify and transition into an innovative economy.

Trustees must advocate for and show a comprehensive plan to the Government, demonstrating the net benefits over the long term when children succeed and are not left behind. 
Every child must be given the opportunity to meet his or her potential.  [Back to top]

Effective and Accountable Representation and Communications:

Beginning with my first campaign in 2004, I have made huge progress in hearing the concerns of Catholic School Supporters in Ward 5 (now Ward 76) by knocking on doors.  Through this process you are getting your concerns recognized and discussed at the Board table.  As we in Ward 5 deal with rapid population growth, your views on such issues as new school construction, school fees and implementation of programs for special needs must be communicated.  It is absolutely critical that we hear the community voice in order to avoid the usual difficulties associated with rapid growth.

I have established regular communications with the School Advisory Councils at each Ward 5 School; this is to ensure that your voice is heard during decision making processes and that the Board and I can respond to your concerns.
This web page provides another easy mechanism for you to contact me or send a comment.  For those who prefer social media, I have a blog and am on Facebook as well.  [Back to top]

Responsive and Responsible Governance:

Principles of responsive and responsible governance will guide my work as your trustee.  I will continue to develop the means for you to contact me and communicate your concerns and opinions regarding the education of your children and the operation of our school district.  Your voice, from Ward 5, will be communicated to the Board and given due consideration.  I will support decisions of the Board that are based on consideration of fact and are just and fair and lead to children achieving their potential.

As your trustee, I will discuss current programs in our system with the community and will work cooperatively with board members, teachers, and parents to assess those programs and develop goals and strategies for change and improvement.  [Back to top]

Managing Growth and Lateral Program Expansion:

Lateral Expansion refers to the addition of programs to the existing curriculum.  Currently, Edmonton Catholic Schools offer an excellent array of programs, such as fine arts programs, athletic schools, bilingual schools, and the International Baccalaureate Programme.  However, administering new programs comes at a cost. 

Considering the ongoing shortage of funds, I believe that it is reasonable to halt the lateral expansion of new programs as a way to ensure that the existing programs are functioning to their fullest potential.  A key component of my priorities is to continue to assess spending at Edmonton Catholic Schools, and ensure that funds are allocated appropriately.

Another of my key program priorities will be full implementation of the Junior Kindergarten program.  The success of early childhood education during the formative years has been well documented since the 1980's.  This does not take away from the value of the nurturing environment of the home, but rather complements early development in a positive way through educative play.  Certainly, the advantage to high risk and socio-economically disadvantaged children cannot be overstated.  This program will require additional funds from the Province, and as Trustee, I would take on the challenge of securing the necessary moneys.[Back to top]