Taking a Stand Against Hazing

1. Taking a Stand Against Hazing ASBA Spring General Meeting June 8, 2010 Battle River School Division Cheryl Smith, Board Chair Dr. Larry Payne, Superintendent

2. Are you aware of possible hazing activities occurring in your communities?How do you know?

3. Battle River School Division • Vision • Mission • Beliefs • Relationship/Academic/Character Goals • Profile of Trustee Excellence • Code of Cooperation

4. Profile of Trustee ExcellenceBattle River School Division has a vision of Every Student, Every Day, A Success. In order to achieve this vision, the Board of Trustees of Battle River School Division has developed a profile for trustee excellence. An excellent trustee will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, attitudes and traits that correspond to BRSD’s Pyramid of Success: Academic (Knowledge) Legal and Procedural • Familiarity with the School Act. • Understanding of the role of a Trustee to carry out duties as an agent of the Board. • Familiarity with Board policies. • Knowledge and understanding of how the school division is held accountable to Alberta Education and all stakeholders. • Understanding of how to access and utilize the Board Policy Handbook. • Knowledge of where the Board’s role ends and administration’s role begins. Planning • Understanding of the division’s planning process. • Knowledge of the initiatives and long range plans of the division. Communication • Understanding of and ability to articulate the division’s vision, mission and beliefs. • Understanding of and ability to accurately reflect community concerns to the Board. • Understanding of and ability to accurately reflect Board’s position to the community. Issues • Staying current with provincial, national and international educational issues and trends.

5. Profile of Trustee Excellence Relationship (Skills) Leadership • Acting as an advocate for children. • Acting as an educational leader. • Managing change and transition. • Ability to see the big picture. • Demonstrating responsibility and accountability. • Making decisions based on multiple criteria, without being tied to a single point of view. • Supporting the position of the Board. • Refraining from statements which give the impression the Board’s position is different than it is. • Willingness to attend skill development sessions as required. • Ensuring beliefs and actions are congruent. Team Building • Mentoring of new trustees. • Developing positive and respectful working relationships and culture with the Board and Administration and across the Division. Group Dynamics • Working cooperatively. • Learning and using mediation skills. • Dealing effectively with lobby groups. Communication • Building community, business and public support for school programs. • Speaking articulately to community and media representatives. • Dealing diplomatically with challenging people and situations. • Developing positive relationships with stakeholder groups. • Creating networks and alliance.

6. Profile of Trustee Excellence Character (Attitudes/Traits) • Willing to make decisions based on the best interests of children. • Willing to make decisions in accordance with BRSD vision, mission and beliefs. • Willing to self-evaluate and improve. • Understanding of the importance of demonstrating proper decorum as a representative of Battle River School Division. • Placing importance on attendance and participation at meetings. • Supporting a collaborative team approach. • Supporting transparency. • Having strength of conviction. • Welcoming diversity. • Supporting public education. • Ability to support decisions of Board. • Ability to be courageous. • Ability to be open-minded. • Ability to be visionary. • Ability to be future oriented. • Demonstrating enthusiasm. • Demonstrating optimism. • Demonstrating respect.

7. Code of Cooperation As trustees we are educational leaders working towards the fulfillment of our mission and vision. Our work as a Board models our beliefs. To be vital, effective and positive as a working group, we will operate according to the following foundational principles: • We are committed to promoting and maintaining relationships based on mutual trust, confidence, respect and open communication with division and school personnel, students, parents and communities. • We are committed to strong teamwork among ourselves and with Central Office administration. • Collaboration and consensus are the norms we aim for at all times. • Courtesy, dignity, and care for one another are the hallmarks of good discussion at our Board table. We will encourage the free expression of ideas and an atmosphere where there are no “stupid” questions.

8. We will focus on ideas and will not personalize issues. • We will show attention and respect for each other and our guests during meetings by avoiding disruptive distractions and side conversations. • Items under discussion must be connected to advancing the mission and vision of the Board. • We will resolve conflicts constructively; we will either take active steps to have an issue resolved or we will let it go. • We will not knowingly or carelessly cast doubts upon the honest, integrity or motives of one another. • We will speak positively about each other and about BRSD at every opportunity. • We will demonstrate support and commitment to the Board’s decisions once they have been made. • We are each responsible for the progress and success of our team. • These principles are open for discussion and amendment by agreement of the Board.

9. Our Story Begins: • Newspaper released article. • RCMP phoned the school. • Communication • School Act • Board Policy and Administrative Procedures. • Principles of investigation – - Attendance at party was culpable. - Suspension with recommendation for expulsion.

10. In your opinion, what risks does a school board take in acting upon an event outside of school? In what ways does the School Act effectively help school Boards address this kind of an issue?

11. Our Story Continues • 17 expulsion hearings. • Process • 2 recommendations from the Superintendency. • Expulsion results – 16 (Rec. #1), 1 (Semester Expulsion) • Appeals to Minister of Education – terms of reference.

12. Have you ever had an expulsion decision appealed to the Minister? If so, what was the result and what did you learn? If not, do you have processes in place to deal with an appeal?

13. Our Story STILL continues: • Vice-Principal Project – Welcoming and Inviting schools. • Consistent message in public press. • Repository of Codes of Conduct. • Smooth transition procedures.

14. As elected officials, how would you work in partnership with your community to stand up and stop this unhealthy tradition? Please provide any other feedback that you have related to our situation.