OPSBA Welcomes Appointment of Liz Sandals as Minister of Education

TORONTO, Feb. 11, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA) congratulates Liz Sandals on her appointment as Minister of Education and looks forward to working with her to build a new relationship, one that will further strengthen the many positive education initiatives that have made a difference for students over the last several years.

"We are pleased that by naming Liz Sandals to this portfolio, Premier Kathleen Wynne has chosen a respected and knowledgeable Minister who will make it a priority to re-establish successful labour relations in our system," said Michael Barrett, president of the Ontario Public School Boards' Association.

OPSBA is ready to work in cooperation with Minister Sandals and this government to advance a school system that is the best in the English-speaking world and gives Ontario's children an outstanding education experience in every community in the province. Together, we will keep our focus on strengthening a vibrant publicly funded education system, open to all and governed by democratically elected local school boards.

As a past president of OPSBA (1998 - 2002), Liz Sandals engaged wholeheartedly with school boards and communities to support programs and initiatives that empower students for the twenty-first century and developed solutions that were centered on the needs of children and youth.

In the complex environment of educational policy development, finance and instruction, each education partner brings unique strengths and insights to the table. Each partner has a crucial role to play and must respect the expertise of the other in a process that is focused on achieving optimum learning situations for our children.  OPSBA is committed to developing a true partnership with Minister Sandals - 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.

SOURCE: Ontario Public School Boards' Association

Jeff Sprang, Communications, [phone]