BCPSEA opposed to trustee philosophy of "What Trustees Do."

It appears as though BCPSEA does not represent the trustees. Here is what the trustees association believes about local solutions for local problems by local people.

"British Columbia is a large province with many communities, each having different priorities, needs and unique educational requirements. British Columbians elect their 60 boards of education to improve student achievement according to the diverse needs of these communities. As locally elected representatives, the trustees on these boards best understand their respective communities’ particular strengths, challenges and demands.

Trustees engage their communities in building and maintaining a school system that reflects local priorities, values and expectations. School trustees listen to their communities; guide the work of their school district; and set plans, policies and the annual budget."http://www.bcsta.org/what_trustees_do

In direct opposition to this philosophy is the BCPSEA position on local bargaining.  On the other hand, BCTF has presented a proposal on changing the split of local/provincial issues that is directly in line with the trustees' belief.  Their proposal is to place more non-cost items into the hands of local trustees and local union reps. 

To have local boards around the province negotiate the many items that locals have identified as not having been touched in nearly 20 years would actually seem to be the more efficient route.  BCPSEA has had the opportunity to negotiate many items over the past 20 years and has not.  Perhaps they need some help.  Perhaps dividing up the workload among 60 districts would save them a lot of time and would ensure that everything gets covered. It is clear that BCPSEA has had trouble negotiating the few items that are actually deemed provincial let alone the many that can be negotiated locally.  Think about it. When you have too much work to do wouldn't you think it wise to get a few more people involved so the workload can be shared?

It is clear that when local problems are solved by local people that the result will be fewer grievances, fewer expensive arbitrations, as well as less labour unrest.  One really has to wonder if the reluctance to make changes to the split of issues is more about control than about efficiency.