Did we pass a budget? Did members leave united?
This was the two-part test that former ATA executive secretary Gordon Thomas had for a successful Annual Representative Assembly (ARA). By that test, I can declare ARA 2024 a success.
Taking place every May long weekend, ARA is the ATA’s version of an annual general meeting. Involving more than 450 members from all over the province, ARA is a democratic, parliamentary-style meeting that sets ATA policy. The event always runs from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday. By that point, if items remain on the agenda, the proceedings continue for up to half a day on Monday.
This year, as ARA unfolded in Calgary, it looked like the first part of Gordon’s test was in jeopardy. For the first time in my 20-year memory, the budget was still being debated on Monday morning. The second part of the test was evidenced throughout the weekend from start to finish.
The very first resolution to be debated, 3-45, was ultimately passed unanimously. It took aim at years of inadequate government funding in education.
“Be it resolved that Alberta’s students deserve better than to have the lowest-funded public education system in Canada,” it read. “Therefore, the Association urge(s) the Government of Alberta to immediately restore per-student funding to the national average as a first step toward re-establishing this province as a leader in resourcing and supporting public education.”
ATA vice-president Peter MacKay kicked off the debate, which was followed by nearly an hour-and-a-half of sometimes gut-wrenching stories from teachers about how underfunding is affecting their students and their classrooms.
“The premier just this week was crowing on X about how we will lead the country in economic growth,” said MacKay. “Why is it so important to be the leader in this one area while we remain in the bottom on another area that matters so much? I say stop the excuses!”
“In the year ahead, we will need to take a stand for better,” said Mackay who also serves as the ATA’s bargaining chair. “We will take a stand at the bargaining table.”
“And we may need to take a stand in the streets,” he said to the crowd of teachers, which replied with applause and audible hoots and hollers.
All of the resolutions passed with a highly unified assembly and strong votes of support.
By the end of the meeting, the assembly passed motions related to cellphone usage in schools, recent student protests on Alberta post-secondary campuses, attacks on educational institutions during global hostilities, the freedom for teachers to display Pride materials in class, and other matters. All of the resolutions passed with a highly unified assembly and strong votes of support.
The meeting ended with another bang that demonstrated the unity of the crowd.
In an impromptu speech closing the weekend, president Jason Schilling encouraged teachers to complete a Stop the Excuses testimonial video.
“So, when we say to the government you need to stop the excuses of the underfunding of public education in this province … we have got video evidence that tells them exactly what their ineptitude is doing to our classrooms and our schools in this province.”
“So, I encourage you to speak up, to get loud and do the work that we need to do to move this forward.”
The crowd responded with a long, sustained, enthusiastic standing ovation.
It was the perfect ending for the ATA’s premier meeting going into this important next year for the profession.
So, Gordon, if you are reading, I am confident that ARA 2024 was a success.
We got a budget, and the membership is most definitely united. ❚
I welcome your comments. Contact me at jonathan.teghtmeyer@ata.ab.ca.
ATA News Editor-In-Chief
