1. APPOINTMENT OF PREFERRED CANDIDATE FOR THE POST OF GENERAL SECRETARY

Council has remitted to Executive the matter of the appointment of the Association's new General Secretary. Executive set up an Appointment Panel which made a decision on the matter. The Panel met on 16 February and selected George Sturrock, Past President of the Association and current member of Executive as Council's preferred candidate.

2. BALLOT FOR THE POST OF GENERAL SECRETARY

In accordance with legislation and current rules of the Association, all Districts and Areas were permitted to make nominations for the post of General Secretary. That process is now complete and there are two nominees for the post:-

There will therefore be a ballot to determine the next General Secretary.

The ballot will be conducted by post by the balloting agents, Electoral Reform Services. Their address is shown at the foot of item 3 of this bulletin. The ballot will be held as soon as possible but during April. The ballot paper will be sent to members' home addresses. Members are asked to ensure that the office has an accurate home address. Any member who did not receive a ballot paper for the vice-presidential election is likely to have an inaccurate home address registered in the Association's database. In order to receive a ballot paper, members must intimate any change of address to this office by noon on 1 April 2009.

3. ELECTION OF VICE-PRESIDENT 2009-2011

Following the recent ballot of members, Margaret Smith (St. Andrew's High School, Kirkcaldy) has been elected as Association Vice-President for 2009-2011. The ballot was undertaken by Electoral Reform Services. Their full report is as follows:-

ELECTION OF VICE-PRESIDENT 2009-2011

Electoral Reform Services

N8 0NW

Any member wishing a further copy of the balloting agent's report will have one provided on payment of a fee of one pound ( £1.00). Requests should be addressed to the Acting General Secretary.

4. COUNCIL OF MARCH 2009

Council approved reports on the following:-  

• Progress with CfE

• SNCT issues

• SQA issues

An election was held to appoint three further members of the Education Committee. The following were appointed:-

Council also approved the arrangements for the ballot for the vacant post of General Secretary.

5. CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE

Members will be aware that the second draft of the Experiences and Outcomes, vital to progress with CfE, will be published on the LTS website on 31 March 2009. Paper copies of the full set of E&O will be sent to all schools to arrive by the latest on 25 May (date of posting from 18 May). The Schools Directorate has clearly indicated that the paper copies of the E&O will be provided "in sufficient numbers for each teaching member of staff to have their own copy". Members should therefore expect to receive this documentation. As indicated, however, it is available electronically at a much earlier date.

The Association wishes to consult the full membership on the Experiences and Outcomes. To this end, the Association website has a consultation mechanism. The link is under "News" on the right hand column of the homepage. The consultation will commence in mid-April.

Members may also send comments by post or by e mail to the Association offices.

The importance of the Association's consultation cannot be overstated. All members are urged to respond. To maintain simplicity members are simply asked if the new E&O proposals represent an improvement, deterioration or no change to existing arrangements.

ANN BALLINGER President