Teachers' summit coming to ACC
February 4, 2010
Louise Brown
EDUCATION REPORTER
The Toronto District School Board has earmarked $345,000 for a one-day teacher conference this fall at the Air Canada Centre, aimed at "jump-starting change in our schools," said chair Bruce Davis.
The controversial event passed as part of a sweeping $1.7 million package of initiatives from director of education Chris Spence, and would provide an "amazing way to move the agenda of change forward," said Davis during a lengthy heated debate Wednesday night.
The professional development event slated for Sept. 1 would bring together all the board's teachers for the first time in nearly a decade to hear speakers from around the world on how to make schools more effective. The biggest chunk of the cost is a hefty $195,000 to print a binder with speeches and resources for each delegate.
However, trustees stopped short of approving Spence's choice of U.S.-based event organizer Solution Tree, until they can pinpoint whether its fees would exceed the $50,000 mark above which bids from other firms must be entertained.
Trustee Josh Matlow slammed the idea of spending so much money on any conference "when we're facing a $17 million deficit," while trustee Sheila Ward called it a pricey "feel-good day." Trustee John Hastings opposed hiring an American consultant, given the United States' new "buy-American" policy.
However, trustee Howard Goodman described the idea as having "the potential to be a spectacular idea that generates a single message and ensures everyone of our staff is aligned in the same direction."
One way to trim costs, suggested trustee Michael Coteau, might be to put the speeches on a digital stick, rather than costly binders.
More stories:
Start early to nip bullying in the bud
Daycare wasn't just a promise, says Martin
Childcare cuts a risk to economy
Divorced parents using laptop conference as virtual visitation
Kids Olympic dreams refloated
Toronto Star