Policy 2
Appendix: Board Advocacy Plan 2024-2025
Annual Board Advocacy Plan 2024-2025
Background:
Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD) utilizes a policy governance framework to manage the school division. As part of the framework, the Board committed to developing an annual advocacy plan which is to be reviewed and renewed on an annual basis.
Purpose:
The Board and individual trustees represent and promote the best interests of students through their interactions with families, the public, the media, community partners, provincial organizations and with the government. It is the responsibility of the Board of Education to act as an advocate for students, to continually enhance their experiences, opportunities and wellbeing within the context and mandate of the Education Act, 1995. Ultimately, the purpose of advocacy is to influence education policy and to seek to secure sufficient resources in order to meet local student needs identified by the Board of Education. Effective advocacy depends on consistency and persistence, as well as engaging others.
The underlying assumption of the Board Advocacy Plan development process is that the Board plan should complement the existing strategic direction of the Board. It should outline focused and specific actions that the Board can take to actualize the stated goals that have already been committed to in the Board’s strategic plan.
Strategic Advocacy:
In May of 2024 the Board of Education endorsed the priorities contained within the 2023 -2030 Provincial Education Plan. By approving the 2024-2025 Advocacy Plan the Board will strategically advocate for the priorities contained within its strategic plan.
Process:
The Board Advocacy Plan will be reviewed by the Governance Committee of the Board of Education and presented for review during the August meeting of the Board of Education. Suggestions for improvement will be collected and a renewed version of the plan will be approved during the September meeting of the Board of Education. The Board will revisit and assess the progress of its advocacy efforts in January of 2025, as indicated on the Board Annual Work Plan.
2024-2025 Board Advocacy Plan
The Board identified three priorities on which to focus advocacy efforts for the 2024-2025
school year:
- Sustainability
- Academic Innovation
- Public Relations and Communications
1. Sustainability:
The Board of Education finds itself in the unique position of being impacted by provincial negotiations in Saskatchewan. LPSD has traditionally utilized the differential in teacher compensation to support the unfunded portion of LDTC and CBA costs. The equalization of teacher compensation costs between Saskatchewan and Alberta has left the division in the precarious position of having compensation costs that are escalating without funding to support this escalation. This impending context will require the Board of Education to ensure that partners on both sides of the border understand the unique nature of the Border City and how education funding is blended to create an educational experience that does not vary based on the location of your residence.
Proposed Actions:
- That the Board of Education collaborates with partners within the City of Lloydminster to ensure the needs of Lloydminster students are considered by both provinces during decision-making processes.
- That the Board of Education and Senior Administration participate in provincial conferences and meetings to advocate for the border context.
- That the Board of Education advocates to the Ministry of Education for a review of student funding in Lloydminster Public School Division.
2. Academic Innovation:
The Board of Education is committed to enhancing and promoting academic
innovation opportunities in the school division and will continue to advocate for
programs and resources that will enrich the academic experience of students.
Proposed Actions:
- That the Board promotes the school division’s current and future plans to develop partnerships with Lakeland College and other Post-Secondary institutions to offer dual credit course offerings, industry-specific training opportunities, program enhancement initiatives and strong academics
- That the Board of Education actively advocates (locally and provincially) for resources that support the development of enrichment-specific programs
- That the Board of Education hosts Post-Secondary Institutions at planned collaboration meetings to promote partnership development and enhanced course offerings for students.
3. Public Relations and Communications:
Positive public relations and the promotion of the Lloydminster Public School Division’s mission of; “Ensuring personal excellence for all students” is seen by the Board as an integral part of advocating for students. Effective advocacy is contingent on the Board’s capacity for strategic communications and the development of a robust communications and marketing plan.
Proposed Actions:
- That the Board maintains a strong media presence in order to publicly promote student achievements with a strong emphasis on academics and students achieving at high levels.
- That the Board continues to support and promote the welcoming culture of schools within Lloydminster Public School Division.
- That the Board continues to monitor and provide direction for the LPSD Communications Plan.
- That the Board seeks out opportunities to engage with staff and members of the public about the virtues and advantages of LPSD.