Stage set for next Council election

Highlights of the Provincial Executive Council meeting held Aug. 29, 2022, via virtual platform.

1. Established the Professional Conduct and Practice Review General Panel (of the Alberta Teachers’ Association) for the period from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 2022, and appointed its chair, vice-chair and members.
2. Amended Council committee and representation assignments for 2022/23.

Highlights of the Provincial Executive Council meeting held Sept. 12, 2022, at Banff.

1. Named three members of Council to serve on a staff selection committee for the position of Co-ordinator, Professional Development, selected the proposed timeline for recruitment of the position and restricted the competition to current members of executive staff.

Highlights of the Provincial Executive Council meeting held Sept. 22–23, 2022, at Barnett House, Edmonton.

1. Authorized that candidates in the 2023 Council elections may submit paper or electronic nomination packages and may submit their nomination packages up to and including nomination day at 5 p.m.
2. Approved that, following the conclusion of the nomination period, candidates shall be advised of their status regarding the election.
3. Approved that, following the conclusion of the voting period, delegates in contested elections shall be contacted regarding the election results.
4. Approved that candidates choosing to produce an election video may submit the video to the Association with the content of their choosing.
5. Approved a statement of Association program emphases for 2022/23.
6. Authorized disbursement of the 2022/23 proposed budget for international co-operation for 12 international goals, including Project Overseas, Teachers’ Action for Gender Equality, Tools for Schools Africa Foundation and Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan.
7. Approved a $2,000 donation to MediaSmarts in support of Media Literacy Week, taking place Oct. 24–28, 2022.
8. Purchased a table of eight for the Friends of Medicare Fundraising Gala, taking place on Sept. 28, 2022, with costs charged to Non-Core/Category 1 funding.
9. Approved the names of five teachers for inclusion in the name bank from which Association instructors are selected.
10. In accordance with 31(2) of the Teaching Profession Act, approved an extension to the 120-day hearing time period for three outstanding cases of alleged unprofessional conduct.
11. Received the report of a hearing committee that found a teacher guilty of one charge of unprofessional conduct for using an oxyacetylene torch, which was marked out of order, in the presence of students. The hearing committee imposed a penalty of a letter of severe reprimand and a $2,000 fine.
12. Received the report of a hearing committee that found a teacher guilty of two charges of unprofessional conduct for engaging in inappropriate action toward a student by sitting on the student’s knee and for using profane language when addressing students. The hearing committee ordered a penalty of a single letter of reprimand for both charges.
13. Received the report of a hearing committee that found a teacher guilty of one charge of unprofessional conduct for engaging in a physical altercation with a Grade 9 student in the presence of other students. The hearing committee ordered a penalty of a letter of severe reprimand and a fine of $500. 
14. Received the report of a hearing committee that found a teacher guilty of one charge of unprofessional conduct for making contentious social media posts regarding the wearing of masks in school. The committee ordered a letter of reprimand and a fine of $250.
15. Amended the administrative guidelines to add the Franco-Albertan flag to the list of flags displayed by the Association at Barnett House and the Southern Alberta Regional Office.
16. Amended the Teacher Welfare Committee Model Frame of Reference to align with changes made to local constitutions.
17. Approved, as the position of Council, recommendations on the six-year review of policy (as amended) and authorized that locals be informed accordingly.
18. Approved, for submission to the 2023 Annual Representative Assembly, the proposed Disposition of Immediate Directives.
19. Approved the position paper on school–community relations for posting to the Association’s legacy website.
20. Named field members to field experiences committees; amended administrative guidelines pertaining to appointment processes to field experiences committees; named field members to the Curriculum Committee and Substitute Teachers Committee; and transferred one field member from the Professional Conduct Appeal Committee to the Professional Conduct Committee. ❚