The Chinook's Edge School Division board of education was recently named as one of at least 16 public bodies that accepted the provincial Tories' invitations to fundraising dinners, contrary to the Election Finances and Contributions Distribution Act.But Colleen Butler, chair of the board of education, said even though the division makes resolutions to attend the dinners, such as one made in September 2010 to attend a function in Red Deer, no CESD funds are expended to attend the functions.Butler said the division as a whole, and trustees in particular, are aware that paying public money to attend political party functions is against the law, and are careful to use personal funds when paying for the tickets to attend such events.ìWhen we attend those, we pay for those tickets out of our own individual money. This is not paid for by the school board and we feel that it's important to attend as a part of our political advocacy for education,î she said.Butler said even though the school division invites the various MLAs that represent ridings in the division to attend board meetings and other division functions to discuss educational issues with them, often the representatives are too busy with other business to attend. Thus, Butler said, attending PC party functions is a good way to talk about education with the MLAs.ìIt gives us a chance to talk to our (MLAs), to the minister of education, to the premier, to try and keep education in the forefront of their minds and to keep education as a priority. If we can go where they are, that helps us to keep them in the loop as to what we're needing in education and what concerns we have,î she said.
