February 28, 2021

Why is it so important to have democratically elected public school board trustees?

This is an election year for locally-elected school board trustees.

I have been writing about the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta (PSBAA) belief statements, and why they are especially important this year.

Our third and fourth belief statements are:

  • Public schools are governed by democratically elected trustees, accountable to communities and the province.
  • Public schools offer world-class education through innovation, diversity and equitable learning experiences.

Together as a board, locally-elected public school board trustees decide how to allocate their jurisdiction’s share of more than $8.3 billion in yearly provincial funding for K-12 education. In making decisions, trustees are often trying to envision a future 20 years from now, and how best to equip future young adults with the education and skills to be successful in jobs and careers that have not even been invented yet.

8.3 billion dollars is a great deal of money but resourcing those dollars out to meet a plethora of needs over multiple systems takes much thought and creativity. Whether the needs identified are for teachers in the classrooms, learning resources and technology for a wide variety of students with every conceivable ability and interest, extra-curricular activities, student transportation, building maintenance or the construction of new buildings, the potential opportunities – and the accompanying lists of funding requests – are truly endless.

One of the key roles of locally-elected public school board trustees is to prioritize and maximize those limited education funding dollars and make the best choices they can on behalf of the families who elected them as their representatives.

The accountability of locally-elected public school board trustees is of significant importance. We are equally accountable to the people who elected us, and to the provincial government which allocates the funding dollars for each jurisdiction to administer.

The goal of public school board trustees is always to offer world-class education through innovation, diversity, and equitable learning experiences. That goal exists everywhere in Alberta – from the large metro boards to the small rural schools. It may be “easier” in a big city because economies of scale help create additional choice, but the goal is always to have exceptional learning opportunities for every student – regardless of geographic location, background, or ability.

Public school board trustee elections are coming up on Monday, October 18, 2021, along with municipal elections. If you have a passion for local K-12 education and you’d like a tangible way to give back to your community, I hope you’ll consider running for school board trustee. If you’re currently serving as a trustee, I hope you’ll run again or encourage someone else in your community to run.

I have heard many people in our communities declare that because they have no children in school they do not vote for their local trustee. Trustees are governors over your local public schools, which are educating the leaders of tomorrow: the leaders of our communities, nurses, bankers, trades people, teachers. As members of your community and our Alberta society this impacts us all. I would therefore respectfully suggest that it is incumbent upon each of you to get to know your local candidates and the issues, and make sure you get out to vote this year. Please ask your family and friends to do the same.

Cathy Hogg,
President