Council for the R.M. of Morris wants to see a collaborative review of Manitoba's education funding model. Officials are sponsoring a resolution asking the Association of Manitoba Municipalities to lobby government to establish a task force that would include representatives from various municipal and education groups in Manitoba.

As R.M. of Morris Reeve, Ralph Groening, explained, the intention is to have representation from AMM, the Manitoba Municipal Administrators Association (MMAA), Manitoba Association of School Boards (MASB), Manitoba Association of School Board Officials (MASBO) and other individuals that the provincial government deems appropriate.

"We think it should represent all of the organizations that would be directly, or indirectly, impacted by any changes," he said. "Everyone should be working together to create a funding model that is an improvement over what we have presently in Manitoba."

In fact, the R.M. of Morris has already started to take a collaborative approach at the local level by holding meetings with both the Border Land and Red River Valley school divisions.

"First of all, to build a relationship and share our concerns, and maybe even identify ways that we can continue to work together and be a part of the solution," said Groening. "We are not adversaries, we want to work with these groups to find a better funding model for identifying the dollars that are essential for providing education in Manitoba."

Groening added this resolution is a follow-up to one that was co-sponsored by the R.M. of Morris and West Saint Paul in 2016 asking for a review of the education funding model.

And while the need for a review has been acknowledged by the previous NDP government and the current PC government, Groening admits the complexity of it has kept the province from moving quickly. However, Groening noted he is confident that government will move ahead and make-good on its promise to take another look at the education funding model.

"What we're trying to do is remind, encourage and to keep the issue alive."