September 23, 1999
(Education)

Minister responds to Opposition leader's allegations

"The Department of Education has maximized its allocation to school board operating grants. In fact all school boards have received an increase in their operating grants for the 1999-2000 school year," says Education Minister Judy Foote.

"The Department of Education has made a conscious decision not to set aside monies for court challenges," said Minister Foote. "We have chosen to invest all monies available for operating the K-12 system in the operating grant of the boards so that they may maximize resources at the classroom level. If there are legal challenges to board decisions, and if there is flexibility in the budget at the end of the fiscal year, the department will re-visit reimbursing boards for their legal fees."

"This approach was discussed with the Newfoundland and Labrador Schools Boards Association at a meeting earlier this month," said Minister Foote. "Hopefully, the number of court challenges will be fewer so that boards can direct all their resources into providing services to children." Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association Chair June Alteen, acknowledges that boards must act in a prudent manner and follow identified processes including consultation with stakeholders in order to avoid legal challenges to their decisions.

"Contrary to Mr. Byrne's allegation that the department never provided direction to boards with respect to guidelines, in January of 1997, departmental officials traveled throughout the province and met with every board and explained the new Schools Act, and the roles and responsibilities of trustees and staff," said Minister Foote. "The department advised boards to put in place policies and procedures. It is our understanding that, in consultation with the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association, each of the boards did develop their own policies and procedures working with the advice of a common legal counsel."

"The Minister of Education has no right to intervene in a decision of a school board, this includes decisions to appeal court rulings," said Minister Foote. "They are elected autonomous bodies. In addition, contrary to Mr. Byrne's allegations, the minister can't force autonomous boards to follow court rulings. Decisions to appeal are taken solely by boards in consultation with legal counsel."

Mr. Byrne has contradicted himself in his news release of today criticizing the department for paying legal fees in one statement and advising the minister to pay these fees in the next.

Media contact: Nancy Healey, (709) 729-0048.

1999 09 23                                 5:40 p.m.