Hank Middleton

President NSSBA, conseiller scolaire CSAP, retired teacher/ administrator, Chair, Habitat for Humanity South Shore, community volunteer, musician, playwright

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

To all who complete their their elected, and Mi'Kmaq nation appointed, positions as members for the 7 regional boards at the end of this month, I wish you nothing but health and happiness on your journey of life. Know that you have made a major contribution to education in NS.

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

Thank you to everyone who stood up for our vision of education in Nova Scotia.
Thanks to all who wrote, called, spoke, did media interviews, attended public meetings, were active on social media, attended Law Amendments and supported an elected empowered voice in this province.

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

Thank you to all who appeared before the Law Amendments Committee today. Nova Scotians, appreciate you research, your insights and the time you have taken to speak on behalf of our students and our education system.

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

Some of us follow the speed limit, some drive 10km/h over, some faster, some much faster. With regard to changes in our education system this government is guilty of stunting (excessive speed). Slow down. Your passengers are our students! A little secret; there is no rush!

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

Here we go! One year and 4 months after Nova Scotia English School Boards have been democratically elected by their constituents, they are being eliminated by our provincial government on the advice of a reviewer from Ontario. Who needs a government; just hire consultants?

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

Nova Scotians want solutions to our health care woes. And, after last years "work to rule", they want a least a few of years of educational peace. They will get instead the elimination of school boards and another kick at the teaching profession. Debate, don't legislate.

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

Tonight Dave Wright, a parent, board member and Vice President of NSSBA spoke with Steve Murphy on CTV Atlantic. He asked for a pause and reflection on where we are going with education in NS. The three C's are important: communication, collaboration and compromise. Let's do it.

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

Know a bad democratic deal when you see it: 88 elected board members representing students, parents and communities across NS replaced with bureaucrats hired to work out of Halifax.

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

Thought for the night. Glaze Report page 6. (Stewardship: Education is a shared responsibility, not a political tool. Decisions must be focused........ on non-partisanship.) Elected boards are non-partisan, transparent, accountable and soon to be eliminated by our gov`t.

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

I give you this video of a board in BC where there is collaboration, a district vision and where teachers, admin and the super use student-centered curriculum to ensure student "success". This success is tied to relevant curriculum. Please watch it at :https://t.co/WEG1Zglsv1

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

Page 45 of Glaze Report: " We have to organize our system to prove prominent researchers wrong". What? Our students are not a lab! They have a right to learning that embraces their essence as individuals and supports their talents and interests. Lets innovate not legislate!

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

"What so ever things are true" is the motto of St. F.X. As a proud X grad I believe in the motto. Life today seems to have more "grey areas" than truth. Truth is now "what so every things are polled, opinioned, spun, packaged or prepared by a consultant" Seek truth, speak up.

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

In a democracy we get together and solve issues with consultation, communication and compromise. Lots of debate on media, social meeting and in public regarding education and Glaze. Let's pause, have a public debate and work together to come with up with a common direction.

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

@NSTeachersUnion Our famous Bluenose was "restructured" and called "restored" although it was really rebuilt. Gov't listened to consultants, advisors and bureaucrats but not to the "old salts" and shipwrights. The result was a multitude of issues and twice the original cost. History lesson!

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

There are a multitude of opinions on the Glaze Report. However, most Nova Scotians are dismayed with the rush to pass legislation without time for Nova Scotians to reflect on the implications of this report.

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

Ontario has 4 different education systems and 72 elected school boards or "silos" as the Minister calls them. We had 7 English boards that are eliminated on the recommendation from someone from Ontario where standardized test scores (as a single indicator) are the same as NS!

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

@NSTeachersUnion Thank you for your passionate support, excellent research and your individual and collective voice for democratically elected, empowered and accountable school boards. Educational democracy over educational bureaucracy.

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

@DrewMooreNS Thank you for supporting our democratically elected regional boards.

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

Thought for the day re: Education in Nova Scotia. There is need for serious public debate, not a rush to legislate. Please Nova Scotians speak up!

[Hank Middleton @NSSBA1]

Change is a process not an event (Except in Nova Scotia). Here change is radical, rushed and reckless.