The deadline for school boards and local bargaining groups to accept the province-wide framework deal between the Province and Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) is looming.
    With less than a month left, teachers and school boards in Golden Hills and Prairie Land Regional Divisions have yet to ratify the deal. 
    Teachers in the area will be meeting shortly to discuss the deal.
    “Right now, we have a general meeting with teachers on April 26. We’ll be putting the deal with the province on the table for our teachers to vote on,” said Steve Wiewel, chair of the Three Drums of Wheat No. 20 teachers' association.
    Teachers in Prairie Land will be meeting just prior to the deadline on May 8.
    “The teachers in Prairie Land will be able to express their opinions on the framework and to accept it or reject it,” said Doug Lerke, chair of Prairie Land No. 36.
    The four year framework deal freezes wages for three years and then, in the final year, gives teachers a two per cent wage increase and a lump sum payment.
    School divisions were left playing catch-up after the deal was announced. The Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA), was not involved in negotiating the deal. Prairie Land had a representative from Alberta Education go through the deal with them.
    “In terms of the framework, the board wasn’t totally clear on all the terms of the agreement,” said Wes Neumeier, superintendent of Prairie Land Regional Division.
    “There are a few key areas they wanted clarification on; the definition of instructional time and making sure it’s clear on what’s included and what’s not, the workload committee and the work involved in that, we’re being told to cut 10 per cent of adminstration costs, the grievance and appeal process, and the exceptions committee and how it would function.”
    Golden Hills is taking the time until the deadline to research the deal and consider its possible effects.
    “They’re (the board) still looking at the details of the agreement and there are still a number of questions on those details. The ASBA was not included in the process to reach this deal, so we’re playing catch-up to understand what’s in it,” said Bevan Daverne, superintendent of Golden Hills School Division. “I think our board is eager to use that time to be considerate about what the deal might mean.”
    The deal comes after the province had announced an impasse with the ATA and turned the bargaining process over to local school divisions. Each division was tasked with negotiating their own deals with teachers. Then, in March it was announced the Government of Alberta and ATA had reached a deal, without the ASBA.
    The last step will be for the local teachers’ associations and school boards to meet.
    “When it is accepted, we’ll still have to sit down with our local board and discuss areas not covered by the deal,” said Wiewell. “There are a number of areas that don’t deal with work load issues and salary issues.”
    The deadline to accept the deal set by the province is May 13.

    After six years serving as a member with the Drumheller town council, Andrew Berdahl, has made the decision not to run for next elections in October.
    “The commitment is considerable,” said Berdahl who has served two three-year terms as an elected official.
    “I think if one is going to do it properly, then they need to be emotionally prepared to commit to all that’s involved.”
    Berdahl initially assumed the role because he felt a change could be made and he could make an impact on the community.
    “I think most people put their name forward because they want to make a positive difference, they want to make life better in the community,” he said.
    “I never really thought I would ever run, it’s not something I grew up thinking I would do.”
    But when election time came around in 2007, he decided to “give it a shot.”
    “If somebody is motivated in good faith, they tend to be a better candidate,” said Berdahl.
    While he has enjoyed his time spent as a council member, Berdahl said the position has made a significant impact on his life in a variety of ways.
    “It’s just 38 more things to think about.”
    He affirms that in order to be a strong candidate for town council, one must have respect, the ability to communicate, and have an element of vision.
    “One needs to have a vision of what it is they want to create in order to make it happen, and the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships,” said Berdahl.
    “Being a councillor is essentially a leadership position.”
    Coming into the position as a middle class working dad, Berdahl believes the role has effectively engaged him to become actively involved with organizations most people are not typically involved in.
    “Our community has a good many people who are capable of being good leaders and who are already doing it in many cases,” he said.
    “Most of the work a council member does is about fundamental personal skills, how to reflect, how to be open minded, how to listen to people, and how to communicate and ask questions.”
    Although Berdahl has been with council for six years, he believes there is merit to the idea of passing on the torch to another candidate.
    “Democracy thrives on diversity and so, having a variety of different people who cycle through these positions is the sign of a healthy democracy.”
    Despite his decision not to run for next elections, Berdahl’s actions are made with the best intentions.
    “It can be very difficult for an individual to retain their freshness and their focus, and I think there is merit to the idea of going away for a little while, living your life and then coming back perhaps at another point.”
    While the role of being a councillor isn’t all that glamorous, Berdahl said the approximately $14,000 a year salary does help to take some of the sting out of such a demanding position.
    “The remuneration helps keep some balance,” he said.
    According to Berdahl, the position of councillor can pose a substantial amount of stress on one’s life, on and off the job.
    “It adds another element to your relationships,” he said. “You wear each decision.”
    He may be done serving town council after this term, but Berdahl affirms he will remain politically active in his future endeavours.
     “If anything, it’s clearer to me now on all the ways one can be involved in leading their community.”