In 1966, AUSSA joined with ASSIA (Alberta School Superintendents’ and Inspectors’ Association) in staging an annual conference which has endured to the present with ASSIA and known as AEMS (Alberta Education Management Society). Consideration was given about this time to merging ourselves with ASSIA to form one organization.

Arising out of this consideration, which was determined in the negative, was the decision to change our name to CASS (Conference of Alberta School Superintendents) to more correctly describe our membership which, by then, included locally appointed superintendents and assistants to any Alberta jurisdiction, i.e. not only urban jurisdictions. In 1967, we had only twenty-six members so, in hindsight, it appears there was considerable foresight in this decision.

The 1970 rewrite of the School Act required all jurisdictions, initially with forty or more teachers, to appoint their own superintendent. As a consequence, CASS quickly traded places with ASSIA as the larger organization. From a small comfortable club of senior and experienced administrators, CASS had a membership transformation to a rapidly growing, widely dispersed, younger, and far less experienced group of school administrators.

Since 1974, a Departmental representative has attended our Executive meetings – at our invitation.

Met with ATA in Liaison Conferences, provincially, for several years, then later encouraged liaison to occur at zone level.

Initiated practice of recognizing retiring members.

Developed a CASS logo (driving force – R. Himsl).

Saw a steady development of zone summer conferences as an excellent means of professional development, promoting fellowship and providing for family involvement.

With University of Alberta, involved in analysis of opportunity for professional development for superintendents.

Hosted successfully the 1974 CASS Annual Conference in Calgary – to be repeated in 1984 in Edmonton.

Participated in International Intervisitation Program in School Administration in England in 1974 and in Canada in 1978.

Carried out provincial level Professional Development activities by way of Pressure Cookers in Calgary and Edmonton and a conference at Fairmont.

Co-operated with Alberta Education yearly in Orientation Sessions for new members.

Abandoned practice of General Meeting in conjunction with ASBA Annual Conference in the interests of quality meetings.

Nominated successfully three Honourary Life Members – Jack James, Harold McNeil, Jack Van Tighem – and one Distinguished Service Member – Jack Van Tighem – CASA.

The handbook received a major edit in the 1996-97 school year. Members of the Legislative Committee, Jill Bushrod and John Darroch along with Executive Director, Dr. Neil Gannon are owed a debt of gratitude for their efforts. Linda Sawyer of Foothills School Division #38 reproduced the entire, revised Handbook.

D. A. LYNN
President, 1997-98

In the last two or three years, in particular, there have been almost innumerable initiatives for questioning current educational practices and structures which have proved a real challenge to CASS. Its members’ resources of time and energy have been freely given by many but always these come up against the reality of a time-consuming set of responsibilities and duties in their own jurisdictions.

In light of this situation, CASS has examined itself over the past four years to seek to gain consensus on its true role and how it should best organize to achieve this. It seems to have been clearly established that it does not want to present any aspects of the role of a union. It continues to search whether it wants or does not want stronger legislative sanction. It struggles with determining a structure or operating mode that may enable it, effectively, to be reactive always when necessary and to be proactive, at least selectively, on those issues it may identify as being crucial to the success of education in Alberta. Without question, CASS has had some success in advancing these aspirations in recent years if one measures this by the extent to which it is being consulted and listened to by significant authorities in education in Alberta.

The financial resources available to the organization are viewed as being finite and possibly too limited if any extensive or elaborate secretariat is contemplated. How CASS will resolve this dilemma awaits the unfolding future.

In 1973, the budget was under $10,000.00, fee was $25.00 and membership was 87.

In 1977, the budget was about $23,000.00, fee was $150.00 and membership was 139.

In 1983, the budget was about $71,000.00, fee was $265.00, and membership was 220.

During the past eleven years, Executive meetings have increased in number from five a year to eight to ten per year, in addition to regular meetings with the Minister, the Deputy Minister, ASBOA, ATA, ASBA, and Stakeholders meetings. Representation on committees has increased from about ten to over fifty in 1983.

Our posture has been gradually changed from being almost entirely reactive on a limited basis to one of being frequently reactive to all issues that affect school administrators, as well as showing an increased tendency to be proactive.

Other internal activities and adjustments would include:

• Registered under Societies Act – 1977.
• Successfully nominated four past-presidents to the role of Director of the Canadian Education Association.
• Supplied a regional vice-president and president to CASA, in addition to providing yearly representatives who have been strong members of that organization’s executive.