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Annual fee remains at $1,242; ARA delegates approve funding for increased capacity and new programs
Delegates attending the 101st Annual Representative Assembly (ARA) in Calgary over the May long weekend approved a program budget for the 2018/19 fiscal year that will hold the fee for a full-time teacher at the current rate of $1,242 per year.
The assembly approved funds to support a number of new initiatives in the 2018/19 fiscal year. The cost of this new spending will be mostly offset by the elimination of programs that will be completed in the current year and
an expected increase in membership of full-time teachers.
The student population in Alberta is projected to continue growing, and the current government has committed to fund this growth through the hiring of more teachers. In order for the Association to maintain services to members and support programs for members, the assembly voted to support an increase to the executive staff complement by two new positions for the upcoming year — one position each in the Member Services and Professional Development program areas.
Additional new initiatives include a Blue Ribbon Panel Review that will revisit and assess progress on the former Blue Ribbon Panel on Inclusive Education in Alberta Schools. Also, a new Education Program for Central Office Teachers will be developed.
Funds have also been set aside for the implementation of a new committee that will address the growth of violence in schools and will review Association and school board policies that relate to violence in the workplace.
A change in the Teacher Welfare program area will add a second Teacher Welfare Area Conference in the spring of each year, and this will be replace the two field service meetings previously held annually.
At the conclusion of a productive debate, delegates approved the budget with a deficit of $137,000 and an annual fee that will remain at $1,242 for each full-time, active member. ❚
