Mandate

The Provincial Schools Authority (PSA) was established as an agency of the Ministry of Education (EDU) in 1975 under the Provincial Schools Negotiations Act (now the Provincial Schools Authority Act). The PSA is the employer of record for teachers employed in provincially operated schools, which includes schools operated by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Solicitor General (SOLGEN). These teachers are represented by the Provincial Schools Authority Teachers (PSAT), which is a district of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF). The PSA is also the employer of record for principals and vice principals in provincially operated schools. The principals and vice principals are not represented by a union and do not have a collective agreement.

The PSA reviews and advises on the terms and conditions of employment for principals and vice-principals. Since 2014, the PSA has adopted the terms and conditions centrally negotiated by the Trustees'/School Board Associations, the Principals' and Vice Principals' Associations and the Crown for the principals and vice principals to ensure consistency with the education sector.

Strategic overview

The PSA aims to perform its role as the employer of record for teachers, principals and vice principals working in provincially operated schools in a fair, equitable and efficient manner and in compliance with the Provincial Schools Authority Act.

All matters relating to administration in respect of teachers are the responsibility of the Deputy Minister of Education who delegates this duty to the Executive Director of the Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch (PDSB). The Executive Director of PDSB oversees and is responsible for the day to day operations including all issues related to teachers and students. The Executive Director works in cooperation with the PSA Chair to ensure effective and efficient fulfillment of the PSA's mandate.

As the employer of record, the PSA ratifies the collective agreement between the parties during central and local negotiations in accordance with the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, 2014 (SBCBA). The SBCBA establishes a system of collective bargaining in the Ontario education sector and explains the role of the PSA and the Ministry of Education during collective bargaining with teachers.

The 2017 – 2019 PSAT Collective Agreement expired on August 31, 2019. In the 2019-2020 school year the PSA ratified both the OSSTF Central Agreement and the PSAT Local Agreement. As a result of the ratification, the new 2019–2022 collective agreement came into effect on June 18, 2020.

The PSA enlists assistance as needed from the Ministry of Education, Education Labour and Finance Division on matters related to collective bargaining, and the Treasury Board Secretariat, Centre for Public Sector Labour Relations and Compensation on matters related to the administration of the PSAT collective agreement.

PSA environment

The PSA is the employer of record for teachers, principals and vice-principals who work in provincially operated schools. In 2019-2020, there were approximately 205 teachers and approximately 13 principals and vice-principals working in provincial schools and outreach programs. The PSA is the employer of record for teachers who teach students who are part of the public education system but for various reasons or needs, cannot be accommodated in a district school board program. The vast majority of these teachers are employed in schools directly operated by the Ministry of Education. These schools provide direct education to elementary and secondary school students who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low vision, deafblind, and to students who have severe learning disabilities. The schools also provide outreach services for school boards and teacher in-service for families with pre-school aged children.

The PSA is also the employer of record for teachers who work in a school program at the Ontario Correctional Institute (OCI) operated by the Solicitor General teaching students who cannot attend regular schools.

Overview of activities

The PSA addresses issues related to the terms and conditions of employment of teachers, principals and vice principals employed in provincially operated schools. Activities include:

  • receiving and deciding on leave applications from teachers, principals and vice-principals in a reasonable and efficient manner and in compliance with the terms of employment for each group
  • hearing PSAT grievances at second step in a timely manner; and
  • resolving grievances in a fair and equitable manner and in compliance with the PSAT collective agreement
  • ratifying agreements reached between the parties at the central and local negotiations tables

During PSA meetings, members discuss issues regarding the employment of teachers, principals and vice-principals working in provincially operated schools.

  • The PSA aims to meet two to three times a year during a normal operating cycle to discuss issues raised by PSAT. The PSA also aims to hold joint meetings with PSAT executives so that updates can be provided and that items can be discussed and addressed in a timely manner. There are times during collective bargaining when these meetings may be put on hold.

PSA members and budget

The PSA consists of a Board comprised of five (5) members: a Chair, a Vice Chair and three additional members. This agency has no permanent staff. All members are OPS employees who do not receive remuneration for their work with the Provincial Schools Authority agency.

Below is a list of appointees:
Position Incumbent Appointment date Expiry date of Appointment Council
Chair Ms. Claudine Munroe November 14, 2018 September 3, 2021
Vice Chair Ms. Suzanne Gordon April 24, 2020 April 23, 2022
Member Mr. Billroy Powell March 7, 2018 March 6, 2021
Member Mr. Med Ahmadoun May 7, 2020 May 6, 2022
Member Ms. Stacey Weber May 13, 2020 May 13, 2022

The PSA budget is provided by the Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch of the Ministry of Education from its base budget. The allocation is $20,000 annually. These funds are reserved for:

  • travel expenses incurred by members hearing grievances
  • services (including interpreters and translators. Provincial schools have both English and French language schools)
  • costs associated with the administration of the collective agreement including arbitration hearings and collective bargaining negotiations

Risk management

  • The membership for the PSA Vice Chair expired on December 27, 2019 and the membership for two of the PSA members expired in March 2020. The ministry worked with the Public Appointments Secretariat to fill the PSA Vice Chair and member vacancies within a timely manner to avoid the risk that the vacancies would result in fewer PSA meetings due to the interest in having full attendance at the meetings. A full member complement provides a diverse range of opinions and analysis which is beneficial to the group.
  • Collective bargaining for the PSAT Collective Agreement began in November 2019 which required timely, accurate advice on labour relations and negotiations issues. In the 2019-2020 school year the PSA ratified both the OSSTF Central Agreement and the PSAT Local Agreement. As a result of the ratification, the new 2019–2022 collective agreement came into effect on June 18, 2020.

Performance measure

The PSA aims to meet two to three times a year during a normal operating cycle to discuss issues raised by PSAT. The PSA will continue to strive to maintain positive relationships with all labour organizations.

Related

Accountability for Provincial Schools Authority