The RVS school board is expecting an answer from Alberta Education Minister David Eggen this week in regards to possible amendments being made to Bill 8.

Bill 8 would introduce a two tier bargaining system with teachers, which would see the Provincial government handling large issues such as salary, while local boards would negotiate smaller issues. As it sits currently, all issues are handled at the local level.

At the RVS board meeting on December 3rd, Colleen Munro, RVS Chair, shared that a letter had been mailed to Eggen stating that RVS would be adding their voice to the many other boards who also are not favouring the passing of Bill 8 as it stands.

Munro said that since the letter was sent, a series of consultations took place, allowing feedback from 58 out of 61 school boards across Alberta.

"The Minster visited us and told us he was open to amendments to Bill 8. So we supported the amendments that ASBA (Alberta School Board Association) put forward and we think that if the Bill is amended we could live with it. So what it does is it has the government set the salary and the term of Bill 8, it amends a section of Bill 8, and then it allows the rest of the issues to be bargained at the local level."

Although RVS still has concerns with Bill 8, Munro said they could at least live with it - if amended.

"We still have some real questions about the way the Bill was introduced and the lack of two way consultation with Alberta Education and with the government. But be that as it may, with those changes, we can live with Bill 8."

Munro said the idea of Bill 8 just seems a little too fast and furious without rich dialogue between the parties.

Now Munro and the rest of the RVS school board wait patiently to see what the final amendments will be to Bill 8, which Eggen commented would be made this week.

Marni Fedeyko - airdrienews@goldenwestradio.com