“Edifice complex”
“The Stelmach government’s pledge to build or modernize 35 schools at a cost of $550 million is welcome and needed. Now, all we need is teachers to fill them. Tuesday’s announcement is reminiscent of what ousted Alberta Health Services boss Stephen Duckett called the province’s “edifice complex”—a willingness to build health-care facilities without the ability to fully staff them. … The government is absolutely correct to plan for the building of new schools now, while costs are low. With a provincewide baby boom and an improving economy attracting newcomers to Alberta, new students will soon begin flooding classrooms. Yet, the school building program comes as the Alberta Teachers’ Association warns that up to 1,200 teachers may be laid off across the province by September due to a $100-million shortfall in the province’s education operating budget released in February. … Education reduces crime and increases health. The long-term economic payoffs are worth taxpayers’ investment. Facilities are crucial, but so are classroom needs. Alberta needs appropriate levels of funding for both.”
—Editorial, Calgary Herald, May 26, 2011
Tired Tories trek to Airdrie
“The announcement of new schools in Airdrie was somewhat of a formality. Only the unreliable nature of the PCs made it a guessing game. … On what is likely Stelmach’s last tour around the province as premier, he’s delivering good news. He’s giving his party a boost before a leadership race, followed by a provincial election. Everyone is thanking him. But lest we forget. The reason Airdrie is in this predicament is the ineptitude of the Stelmach regime and the blatant disregard for exponential growth. … This isn’t the Conservatives riding in on their white horse and saving the day. This is a tired, malnourished horse limping into Airdrie on its final path to the glue factory and handing its jockey one final victory.”
—Editorial, Airdrie Echo, May 25, 2011
Priorities?
“When Edmontonians hear the NDP advocate for sensible government, we know public spending priorities are so off the rails, a certain netherworldly region must be freezing over. And yet, there was Brian Mason, the feisty leader of the New Democrats, taking a long, hard look at a downtown arena project that, while creating some construction jobs in the short run, is going to cost Edmonton taxpayers hundreds of millions in the longer term. His conclusion regarding Edmonton’s proposal, which needs another $100 million in tax revenue from either the provincial or federal government? “I think it has to be stacked up against other priorities,” he said. “They couldn’t find $100 million to help school boards maintain their staffing levels, they couldn’t find $100 million to reduce wait times for cancer surgery. Until we can resolve those basic things, I don’t think we should be funding private billionaires for their for-profit operations.”
—Editorial, Edmonton Sun, May 25, 2011
Tick tock, Hancock
“A legal opinion that says Calgary Board of Education trustees with school-age children could be in a conflict of interest by participating in budget decisions still has us scratching our heads. The opinion should be challenged or clarified. … The opinion concluded [Sheila] Taylor, a parent and rookie trustee, does have a conflict ‘in relation to the noon supervision fee, transportation fee and other student fee matters as she has a direct interest in the matter and that matter could monetarily affect her.’ … Education Minister Dave Hancock has already questioned whether such a strict interpretation of the School Act is reasonable and has promised to rewrite the law if necessary, so as to protect trustees with school-age children so they can debate and vote on school board finances. … That was a month ago. Hancock needs to act quickly, because critical budget discussions are taking place now.”
—Editorial, Calgary Herald, May 24, 2011
