Seine River School Division refuses to release EA report to public

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This article was published 22/02/2024 (514 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Educational assistants (EAs) are being used as substitute teachers in Seine River School Division (SRSD) schools, but the division will not say where and how often.

A report ordered by ward one trustee Warren Reavely at a school board meeting was on the Feb. 13 agenda. Trustees and administration spoke about the report that detailed the use of EAs from September to January, but did not mention schools or specific numbers.

When asked for the report or a summary of the details, superintendent Ryan Anderson refused to make the report to the board public.

“The information that was shared at the public meeting was an overview of the report, which is why specific information and data was not shared in the public meeting. It is also for this reason that I will not be sharing that report with you,” wrote Anderson in an email.

Board Chair Wendy Bloomfield and all trustees did not respond to emailed requests for an explanation on why the information on EAs being used as substitutes would not be available publicly.

Staff at the Feb. 13 board meeting told trustees that the report was broken down by month, school, and half-day or full-day substitute position.

EAs were reported to the board as being used more in the east. SRSD’s eastern half schools include those in Ste Anne, La Broquerie and Richer.

It was explained during the meeting that EAs are offered the substitute job by the principal for the day or half day in the morning when a teacher is absent. The EA then has the option of refusing to substitute, according to school division administration.

Reavely asked at the meeting if EAs were filling in when teachers were away on professional development. Staff did not know.

“In speaking with the principal I did touch base with, they did mention that this is definitely a last resort. It is the morning of when they weren’t able to fill the position,” assistant superintendent of instruction and curriculum Chris Szun said at the meeting.

President of the Seine River Teachers’ Association Jonathan Waite was at the board meeting.

“We believe and support that only qualified and certified teachers should be in the classroom teaching and caring for students,” stated Waite.