OPSOA's Response to the Government Initiative on School Councils

Although the recently announced government initiative on school councils is not based exclusively on the Report of the Royal Commission on Learning, OPSOA thinks it appropriate to respond to the initiative from within the context of that report. Unlike other reports that have addressed the issue of school councils, or school-community or school parent councils, the Report of the Royal Commission on Learning considers school councils as part of a larger picture of elementary and secondary education. Such a comprehensive view tends to be more objective. Further credibility is added to the Commission's view by the amount and diversity of input it received during the consultative process. The Commission is, in fact, extremely clear in its analysis of the most appropriate role for parents and the community in schools. In attempting to find what it calls the elusive right balance of power in addressing decision making in the education system, the Commission uses two basic questions as its criteria - Does it promote good learning and teaching? Does it put the interests of student achievement first and foremost? In achieving those goals, the Commission suggests at least three ways in which parents and the "school-community councils" can be helpful. OPSOA agrees with them.

First, because teachers must, focus on their main responsibility of providing high-quality, high level instruction, the community must help them with, the non-academic load that's been thrust on schools'. Every school must have a school-advisory council, responsible for bringing appropriate community resources into the school to assume some of the obligations teachers now bear alone.

Secondly, in discussing specifically parental involvement with schools, the Commission emphasizes the importance of establishing ways in which parents can be helped to stay actively involved in their own children's education. It makes the point that, this is a far more productive use of the often limited time and energy of most parents than being involved in sharing management responsibilities with the principal. It adds that, there's no evidence we know of to demonstrate that it (parental involvement in school management) improves kid's learning. In this context, the Commission recommends the creation of a charter of parents' rights and responsibilities and suggests that, schools would benefit significantly if the views and concerns of parents were solicited in a regular and significant way.

Finally, and related to the solicitation of parental views and concerns, the Commission suggests that the school-community council would "inevitably and reasonably" assume an advisory role to the principal "on general matters relating to the improving of the school". This would confirm the councils as "the school's main structural link with the community". OPSOA supports this framework for the development of school councils. In large part the government initiative that was announced on February 10, 2026 also seems to have its base within this context. Inasmuch as it does, OPSOA commends the government and supports the initiative. In fact, the initiative would seem to replicate the development of school councils that has already occurred in many boards throughout the province. OPSOA hopes that the specific observations and suggestions that follow will assist the government in the task of fleshing out the details.

PRIMARY ROLE OF SCHOOL COUNCILS

The minimum requirements of membership seem reasonable. In those schools that have a student representative, that have the minimum of two community representatives, and that have, as they must, a majority of parents, the school council would consist of a minimum of 13 people. Schools councils will have to guard against becoming too large to function effectively. The requirement that there be a parent majority could cause this to happen if additional community, student or staff representatives were appointed by the council. On the other hand, there may well be situations in which very small schools in the same community should be allowed to combine their school councils. A measure of flexibility in its membership requirements would serve the school council concept well. The nature of the forum required to elect parent representatives is critical and should be defined. Other membership concerns such as ensuring that distinctive populations are recognized, that ward or area representation is provided where appropriate, and that there are Catholic representatives for secondary schools in non extended Boards need to be considered, as well. Schools must ensure that their school councils are truly representative of the social and economic differences within their communities.

OPSOA believes that elected school board trustees should not be voting members of school councils. Their participation as voting members could well create conflict of interest situations for them. Their attendance at school council meetings so that they can serve a liaison function with the Board, however, could be productive of a close collaborative relationship between the two bodies.