A local school division superintendent is championing efforts for stronger teaching and administration practices throughout provincial schools.
Chris MacPhee, superintendent of Canadian Rockies Public Schools, was chosen as the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS) president earlier this month.
MacPhee, who is the incumbent first vice-president of CASS, is honoured to have been selected as the organization’s 54th president.
“Students are first,” MacPhee wrote in an email. “As an organization we put forth strong and vocal positions keeping student learning as the reason for making change.
“I am hopeful this additional role for the 2017-18 school year will allow for further advocacy for students of this province and enhance the relationships with the Alberta Teachers Association.”
CASS is a volunteer organization of just over 400 members, which works as an “invaluable” professional voice of system education leaders, provides leadership, expertise and advocacy to improve, promote and champion public education.
Over the past four years, membership at CASS has grown by 60 per cent, including about 10 per cent being indigenous school authorities members.
He begins his CASS duties on July 1 and will go to June 30, 2018. His role at CRPS will not change in that time period.
As incoming president, MacPhee’s role advocates provincially for students, while at the same time growing a greater voice and familiarity with government officials, said Barry Litun, executive director at CASS.
“Each of the past presidents have felt it has been a benefit to their own jurisdiction and they are better known with the officials, next year or even down the road,” said Litun.
One of the main issues for rural school divisions, such as CRPS, is the funding formula that puts them at a disadvantage.
As president, MacPhee also becomes a member of the board of directors for the Canadian Association of School System Administrators (CASSA), a national organization equivalent to CASS, that meets annually.
“Chris will be the (CASS) leader and face and voice of those (CASSA) meetings,” said Litun. “As president, he will become a member of board of directors of CASSA to learn what is happening in education in all provinces and territories.”
