August 29, 2025

A New School Year Means a New Opportunity for Public School Board Trustees

As we begin the 2025-26 school year, I’d like to acknowledge the levels of uncertainty we face at the time of writing this message. From a potential teacher strike to the upcoming Municipal Election, there are many concerns for our communities about how these events will affect student success.

But with such unprecedented times comes opportunity. Now, more than ever, we need to stand unified in protecting, elevating and promoting public school education.

The Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta (PSBAA) is committed to ensuring newly elected trustees are prepared and well-equipped as they step into their roles this fall. Interested individuals can find valuable and informative information about the election on the PSBAA website. The Association will also offer a series of orientation webinars on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting in January. Additionally, members can access the PSBAA’s professional development modules—soon to be available in video format, in addition to their current text-based and audio formats.

As we welcome new trustees to our boards, it’s important to remember we all bring with us a unique voice, but a shared vision. Diverse perspectives are vital to a democratic process and allow us to make effective governance decisions. However, once a decision is made, trustees are united in knowing they addressed the situation from multiple angles and made the choice with the best interests of students in mind.

As always, we all have a stake in public school education. No matter whether you’re a parent of a child in kindergarten, a secretary at a junior high or the CEO of a local business, all communities benefit from high-quality education for students. Without a skilled next generation, there is no Alberta.

Dennis MacNeil