Dr. Bill Whelan and Carrie St. Jean to Serve As Co-Chairs
The membership of the Education Governance Commission has been finalized, says Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie.
“The members of this independent Commission are being asked to consult widely with all stakeholders,” Mr. Currie said. “I believe their work will contribute to a better process of school board governance.”
The Commission will begin work this summer. It is expected to report to government in early 2012.
Additionally, the Commission has been asked to examine ways to improve voter turnout during school board elections.
“For various reasons, voter engagement in school board elections has been very low for a long time,” Mr. Currie said. “Given the strong tradition of voter turnout on the Island, I believe there is a real opportunity to enhance engagement through the election process.”
The five commissioners are: Commission Co-Chairs, Dr. Bill Whelan and Carrie St. Jean; and Commission members Carolyn Francis, Antoinette Perry and Lynn Ellsworth. (Biographies aincluded.)
Among the questions the Commission will consider:
• What are the appropriate roles of a school board versus the role of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development?
• How can the current legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks under which the Boards operate be improved from an accountability perspective?
• How can the role of key stakeholders be enhanced, such as home and school associations, parents, educators, and others in the governance of our education system and keep them engaged?
“The last several years have seen a great deal of change in the education system,” Mr. Currie said. “For example, the inclusion of kindergarten as a full-day program in the public system has been both challenging and rewarding. The governance review will help the system to better adapt to positive change.”
BACKGROUNDER
Commission Biographies:
Dr. Bill Whelan, Commission Co-Chair
Dr. Bill Whelan is a Professor of Physics and Canada Research Chair at the University of Prince Edward Island. He is currently Past-President of the PEI Home and School Federation, President of the Charlottetown Rural Home and School Association and Chair of the PEI Science Fair.
Carrie St. Jean, Commission Co-Chair
Carrie St. Jean is completing a two-year term as President of the PEI Teachers’ Federation on June 30 of this year. Prior to assuming her position with the PEI Teachers’ Federation, she most recently served as a teacher-librarian at Glen Stewart School. Ms. St. Jean holds a Master of Education from Saint Mary’s University.
Carolyn Francis, Commission Member
Carolyn Francis currently serves as Practicum Coordinator with the UPEI Faculty of Education. Prior to that, her most recent position was as Principal of Kensington Intermediate High. She has also served as volunteer with Canadian Teacher's Federation in Uganda developing education system, promoting education of girls, and in Kenya for Farmers Helping Farmers. Ms. Francis holds a Master of Education from L'Universite de Moncton.
Antoinette Perry, Commission Member
Antoinette Perry taught at Tignish Elementary for thirty-two years before retiring in September of 2009. While at Tignish Elementary, Ms Perry taught french immersion, core french, special education and music. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from L'Universite de Moncton.
Lynn Ellsworth, Commission Member
Lynn Ellsworth currently works on a part-time basis as a project assistant with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Prior to that, Ms. Ellsworth had a thirty-four year career with the Government of Prince Edward Island. Her most recent positions with the Province included Clerk of Executive Council and Assistant Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services.