There's mixed reaction to the Province's Bill 8, or the Public Education Collective Bargaining Act.

Some boards like it, others not so much because it takes much of the bargaining power out of their hands and centralizes with the Province.

Count the Foothills School Division into the "like it" camp.

Assistant Superintendent Drew Chipman says the Division has been in favour of Provincial bargaining for quite some time.

"The biggest reason there is the Province is the funder. 90% of our funding comes from the Province. And if we're going to provide increases to staff, we need to have those funded. So, it makes sense for the Province to be in on negotiating at least the salary component of our biggest expense. So we're not unhappy at all that the Province has decided that they need a role at the table and we're looking forward to that."

He says there's still some of the smaller details to be worked out, but those can be finalized now that the legislation has been passed.