Question 1 – Zone 12 Responses
Will you act to postpone the appointment of a new OCDSB director? If no, what are your reasons? If yes, what are your reasons and how will you act?
In alphabetical order below
– Rawlson King
– Sandra Schwartz
Rawlson King – Yes
This is a press release. It was also made available on my blog at: http://www.rawlsonking.ca/blog/more-consultation-needed-for-director-of-education-selection.
MORE CONSULTATION NEEDED FOR DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SELECTION
August 27, 2018 – Rawlson King, candidate for Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Trustee in Zone 12, Innes/Beacon Hill–Cyrville, said that he is opposed to appointing a new OCDSB Director of Education before October 22, the date of the Ottawa municipal election.
“In order to build stronger communities through our schools, I believe we need to build better lines of direct communication with communities, parents, youth and the school administration,” said King. “Appointing a new Director before the municipal election is undemocratic and nonconstructive because its does not allow for a new, duly elected Board to set a new agenda and mandate, with public consultation, that would guide the selection of a new Director of Education.”
Previous issues, such as school closures, have demonstrated that communication among the school board, staff and neighbourhoods need to be more frequent, and require more community input. Meaningful public consultation and deliberation among the next set of Trustees, along with the general public, must be a precondition before a new Director of Education is selected.
Sandra Schwartz – No
In response to your question, I believe there are two options regarding this issue: 1) proceed with the process, which began in June, or 2) start the process when the new board officially begins their term. I would note that as elected representatives, the current board has fiduciary and legal responsibilities to fulfill until the end of its term which is November 30.
The current board has not made any decisions aside from hiring a search firm, and is appropriately following due process, including having the search firm establish a long list of candidates for the selection committee to review. This review has yet to take place. I do not know who has applied, nor do I have a candidate in mind.
The decision to wait for the new board to appoint a new Director is not a delay in the process until October – it would in fact delay the start of the process to January at the earliest. The newly elected board will not have decision making authorities until December 3.This means a search process would not likely begin until January 1 and an interim appointee would likely need to serve from January 1 to June 30. That is a long time for an organization to be in limbo, and would be irresponsible.
Any new Director will need the qualifications and skills necessary to lead the OCDSB and implement policy decisions made by the board elected this fall. Most importantly, it is the responsibility of the current board to ensure a new Director is in place in time to work with the new board to develop the next strategic plan. The strategic plan is set by the board, and the Director is accountable to the board to implement the plan. The new board will have ample opportunity to shape the next strategic plan and thus guide the work of the new Director over the next four years.
In closing, I believe delaying the process is simply not in the best interests of the students and families whom the board serves.