OPSBA Welcomes Appointment of Leona Dombrowsky as Minister of Education

TORONTO , Jan. 19 /CNW/ - The Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA) congratulates Leona Dombrowsky on her appointment as Minister of Education and looks forward to working with her on further developing the many positive education initiatives undertaken by the Liberal government.

"We are pleased that by naming Leona Dombrowsky to this portfolio, Premier Dalton McGuinty continues to honour his promise to keep public education at the centre of his government's mandate," said Colleen Schenk , president of the Ontario Public School Boards' Association.

OPSBA is prepared to work in cooperation with Minister Dombrowsky and this government to continue to build a school system that can give Ontario's children an education that is the envy of the world. Together, we will continue to focus on developing a strong publicly funded education system, open to all and governed by democratically elected local school boards.

OPSBA thanks Kathleen Wynne for her strong, collaborative and energetic leadership and her unwavering commitment to public education. As Minister of Education, Ms Wynne engaged wholeheartedly with school boards and communities to support programs and initiatives that work for the twenty-first century and to develop solutions that are centered on the needs of children and youth.

In the complex environment of educational policy development, finance and instruction, each educational partner plays a unique and crucial role. Achieving optimum learning situations for our children means that each partner must respect the expertise of the other. We look forward to developing a true partnership with Minister Dombrowsky - a partnership that is marked by cooperation, collaboration and respect.

The Ontario Public School Boards' Association advocates on behalf of the best interests and needs of the public school system in Ontario. OPSBA believes that the role of public education is to provide universally accessible education opportunities for all students regardless of their ethnic, racial or cultural backgrounds, social or economic status, individual exceptionality, or religious preference.

For further information: Jeff Sprang, Communications, [phone]