Religious Calgary school threatens to expel "immoral" staff and students

[Thor]

Red John nailed it, I find myself interacting a lot more in Iceland through my role at our humanist group with other religious groups that share most of our same goals.

I find Iceland's soft Christianity much nicer to be around, people here care more about social justice for the poor, elderly, strong advocates of gay rights and the very small percentage that act like the typical US evangelical hate filled intolerant people are mocked openly and often in the media and social media here.

If this was only the vast majority of organized religion in the world we would all live in a different and happier world, but sadly most organized religions are a negative force in the overall scheme of things.

[troutman]

Pennings: You have nothing to fear from religious schools


http://www.calgaryherald.com/opinion...939/story.html

[Locke]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

I don't understand why we publicly fund religeous schools. I do not support it one bit. Why is it ok to fund Catholic schools with public money while the public systems sees cuts? I say cut all funding from church schools. If you want your kids indoctrinated than pay for it your damn self.

It was part of the deal when Alberta became part of Canada and it'll never change, so make your peace with it.

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by Locke

It was part of the deal when Alberta became part of Canada and it'll never change, so make your peace with it.

Sorry man, not gonna happen.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

I don't understand why we publicly fund religeous schools. I do not support it one bit. Why is it ok to fund Catholic schools with public money while the public systems sees cuts? I say cut all funding from church schools. If you want your kids indoctrinated than pay for it your damn self.

Well, if your talking about the public board, isn't the option there when you pay your taxes? They ask you straight up if you support the public or separate board.

As well, the Catholic schools basically ARE a public board, they are just different or separate from the non religious public board. But it's really just another public option.

I do get rankled about private schools getting funding though, whether or not they are religious in nature.

I was in the Catholic board growing up, it's not really that different, and nothing like the school being highlighted here.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

Sorry man, not gonna happen.

Thats fair enough.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Locke

It was part of the deal when Alberta became part of Canada and it'll never change, so make your peace with it.

The debates in Ontario around defunding the Catholic school boards lead me to believe that it is somehow possible.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by SebC

The debates in Ontario around defunding the Catholic school boards lead me to believe that it is somehow possible.

Yeah, show me the politician thats going to run while opposing Catholic schools. I'm sure that'll go really well for him or her.

[sketchyt]

I went through the Catholic school system in Calgary and religion really isn't a huge part of the curriculum. In high school, a lot of it actually dealt with other religions, spirituality and surprisingly in an impartial way.

But, looking at it now, it's silly to have public funds being funnelled into 2 separate systems and one system which has institutionalized religion. I really don't think it has place in a publicly funded system. If you want religion in schools for your kids, you should have to pay for it out of pocket.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

I went through the Catholic school system in Calgary and religion really isn't a huge part of the curriculum. In high school, a lot of it actually dealt with other religions, spirituality and surprisingly in an impartial way.

But, looking at it now, it's silly to have public funds being funnelled into 2 separate systems and one system which has institutionalized religion. I really don't think it has place in a publicly funded system. If you want religion in schools for your kids, you should have to pay for it out of pocket.

Two things:

1) Again, part of the deal regarding Alberta joining Confederation and, again, you get to choose where you want your money to go, public or separate.

2) Its Government, inefficiency is part of the deal. Amalgamating the health boards was thought to be a great and efficient plan too.

[Nage Waza]

Originally Posted by Locke

Two things:

1) Again, part of the deal regarding Alberta joining Confederation and, again, you get to choose where you want your money to go, public or separate.

2) Its Government, inefficiency is part of the deal. Amalgamating the health boards was thought to be a great and efficient plan too.

Are you trying to say things don't change based on societal needs?

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Locke

you get to choose where you want your money to go, public or separate.

You don't, actually. That's just for the census, funding is per-student.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by SebC

You don't, actually. That's just for the census, funding is per-student.

Don't you check a box on your provincial taxes as well?

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Don't you check a box on your provincial taxes as well?

I think that would also just be data collection... it doesn't actually determine funding.

[psicodude]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Don't you check a box on your provincial taxes as well?

Yes, but SebC is correct. Every student in Alberta is funded identically (coded students receive extra funding) regardless of District. This includes public, separate, charter, and even private. Basically, it's a little over $10,000 per butt in the seat. I know it's not quite that simple, but for this debate it is.

I'm also not sold on the amalgamation idea. The AHS superboard has been a disaster, and it appears that the smaller Districts have less overhead and are more efficient. The two largest Districts in the province (CBE and Edmonton public) are always complaining that they are way over budget while the smaller ones seem to manage somehow. CBE, for example, is warning that they are facing a $60m deficit this year while nearly all other school boards are balanced. Like any other organization, the larger it gets, the more overhead is required, and the easier it is to over-spend.

Education in this province works, for the most part. No need to screw with it.

[Flabbibulin]

Originally Posted by psicodude

Yes, but SebC is correct. Every student in Alberta is funded identically (coded students receive extra funding) regardless of District. This includes public, separate, charter, and even private. Basically, it's a little over $10,000 per butt in the seat. I know it's not quite that simple, but for this debate it is.

This.

Palliser school district is a public district just like the CBE. The difference is it takes on some Christian schools that were formerly private. However, it is the responsibility of the Christian schools within Palliser to charge separate society fees to their parents for the resources that go towards building maintenance, bible education, and bus transportation. There may be other elements but these are the main ones and are usually referred to as society fees. This is why some schools within Palliser, Heritage may be an example, still have a substantial cost to parents. I do not believe any public dollars technically go toward religious teachings.

edit- Just looked up Heritage website- they call the society fee "Christian Education Program Distribution". The fees at these "public" schools can rival the fees at private schools.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by psicodude

Yes, but SebC is correct. Every student in Alberta is funded identically (coded students receive extra funding) regardless of District. This includes public, separate, charter, and even private. Basically, it's a little over $10,000 per butt in the seat. I know it's not quite that simple, but for this debate it is.

I'm also not sold on the amalgamation idea. The AHS superboard has been a disaster, and it appears that the smaller Districts have less overhead and are more efficient. The two largest Districts in the province (CBE and Edmonton public) are always complaining that they are way over budget while the smaller ones seem to manage somehow. CBE, for example, is warning that they are facing a $60m deficit this year while nearly all other school boards are balanced. Like any other organization, the larger it gets, the more overhead is required, and the easier it is to over-spend.

Education in this province works, for the most part. No need to screw with it.

Completely agreed.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by psicodude

Yes, but SebC is correct. Every student in Alberta is funded identically (coded students receive extra funding) regardless of District. This includes public, separate, charter, and even private. Basically, it's a little over $10,000 per butt in the seat. I know it's not quite that simple, but for this debate it is.

I'm also not sold on the amalgamation idea. The AHS superboard has been a disaster, and it appears that the smaller Districts have less overhead and are more efficient. The two largest Districts in the province (CBE and Edmonton public) are always complaining that they are way over budget while the smaller ones seem to manage somehow. CBE, for example, is warning that they are facing a $60m deficit this year while nearly all other school boards are balanced. Like any other organization, the larger it gets, the more overhead is required, and the easier it is to over-spend.

Education in this province works, for the most part. No need to screw with it.

Oh I'm not suggesting any big changes, I was just unclear on some of the details.

As far as the last sentence go, I'm not entirely sure about that, I think we're failing our students in a lot of ways, not just in Alberta but in Canada. I mean it's a passable system, but nothing to get excited about, and seems to be getting worse.

However, the problems, and any possible solutions, are varied and nuanced and don't really pertain to this topic. Also not nearly as simple as just throwing more money at the problem.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

What a rediculously misleading headline... And article.

(I say this as the father of a student at Heritage Christian Academy)

It's actually not. The school is threatening.

Originally Posted by Dion

Reread the thread title and the below comment....

"But associate superintendent Dale Backlin said Thursday that those who break the rules would never be disciplined because that would violate Alberta’s human rights legislation"

Dale Backlin is the Associate Superintendent for Palliser Regional Schools, not the school itself. The school is threatening, but the School Board is against the threats.

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by Locke

Yeah, show me the politician thats going to run while opposing Catholic schools. I'm sure that'll go really well for him or her.

I really don't think people would be overly concerned. I think most realize the lack of need for a separate school system in modern Alberta and inefficiency it creates.