Education minister appoints experts to work with Catholic trustees

Education Minister David Eggen has appointedexperts on board governance to work with Edmonton Catholic trustees.

Eggen has hiredNational Growth Partners, whichspecializes in advising on board governance strategies, to consultwith the board and recommend ways to work together and come up with a policy on dealing withtransgender students.

"Generally they have had governance issues for a long time and it has come to a head in regards to their capacity to build a coherent transgender policy and equality policy," said Eggen.

The $60,000 cost for help from the expertsover a six-month period will be split between Alberta Education and the school board.

Trustees have openly battled over the policy and made inflammatory remarks duringpublicmeetings.

Eggen said he was displeased with their behaviour and told them to work to a higher standard. It has become apparent the board must improve its practices, he said.

"Certainly we all saw some of the individual comments that still spoke to a lack of education around transgender issues and equality in general," said Eggen, describing some of the commentsas "very disturbing."

He added: "I don't have the capacity to remove individuals but I think some individuals need to really reflect on why they've been elected in the first place and what is their role. Are they contributing to safe and caring schools for all children under their charge, and if they are not, maybe it's a good time to take a long walk in the park."

Trustees passed first reading of the draft sexual orientation and gender identity policyTuesday night. The policy is now going out to the public for consultation, but some advocates worry about who the board willconsult.

Eggen said he will watch that process carefully.

The controversy began with a dispute involving the mother of a seven-year-old transgendergirl who foughtfor the right for her daughter to use the girls' washroom at school, somethingshe won in May.

The mother has said it is"unacceptable" transgender children are still being forced to use gender-neutral washrooms. It demonstrates that a provincial policy is needed rather than battling over policy and regulation board by board, she said.

Earlier this week Eggen said he would not rule out creating a province-wide policy.

Eggen said he''s had "excellent conversations" with 60 of 61 boards and has heard interest in contributing to a cohesive policy.

"I think this is a chance forEdmonton Catholic to step up and show leadership," he said.

"I'm optimistic we won't be fighting 61 battles like this."

Critics have focused particular attention on some of the comments made by Edmontontrustee Larry Kowalcyck. He said transgender people have a "mental disorder" and that gender transitioning is contrary to teachings by the Catholic church.

At Tuesday's board meeting, Kowalcyckvotedagainst the proposed gender identity policy.

He citedcomments made by one critic of amore inclusive transgenderpolicy, suggesting it is "not about helping sexually-confused children, but about waging war against Catholic moral teaching."

Kowalcyckalso argued that the new policy could be harmfulin the long term for the mental health of students who "suffer from gender confusion" and undergo sex-reassignment surgery.

"Therefore if the Catholic trustees or the bishop allows this policy they will be effectively pushing children to commit suicide later on in life," Kowalcyck said.