A Brief History of the Public School Boards' Association of Alberta
In 1986, the Government of Alberta decided to "re-write" the School Act, now known as the Education Act. At that time, public school boards decided they wanted to develop an understanding of what made public school education unique, valuable and attractive in the province. They wanted to promote public schools and ensure public schooling would be fairly dealt with in writing a new School Act.
The provincial government enacted a new School Act in 1988. Supporters felt some of the provisions of the legislation had left public school education misunderstood and disadvantaged in several ways. This outcome reinforced the need to create a positive, imaginative and articulate voice for public school education.
In the spring of 1989, the Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, and Medicine Hat public school boards—along with the St. Albert Protestant Separate School District—took the initiative to promote the idea of a new association, dedicated to advocating on behalf of public schools and the students they serve.
Initially, 50 boards across the province were involved in the exploratory meeting, held in the Centre for Education within Edmonton Public Schools on Sept. 14, 1989. Shortly after, the Public School Boards' Association of Alberta was incorporated under the Societies Act.
At the founding convention from Nov. 25-26, 1989, the first Executive Committee was elected, with a mandate to hire an Executive Director.
AN ASSOCIATION DEDICATED TO PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION
Membership is voluntary. Boards belong, not individuals. Every member has one vote. This leads members to work and think inclusively. It also motivates us to go to the heart of issues. Each member board designates one member to be a primary contact for the Association. This contact becomes the board’s Council Representative.
The Association works diligently to establish credibility and maintain positive relationships. Our plan encompasses advocacy, leadership on issues important to public school education, and the development of trustees and local administrators as leaders of public school education.
Our mission statement focuses on inclusiveness and modeling civil democracy as unique, valuable and attractive characteristics of the public school system. Public schools welcome all students, as opposed to charter and private schools. In advocating for public school education, the Association also involves the courts where needed.
Though focused specifically on public school education, the Association abides by the constitutional rights of the minority faith and francophone populations to have their own education systems.
The Association is also equally respectful of parental and student choice. Student choice related to programs, courses and sports is at the very heart of our objectives. We’ve always been strong advocates for economic efficiencies that result in less financial burden for families and the provincial government.
As a basic tenet, the Association is a strong proponent of local decision-making and autonomy. For more than three decades, the Association has focused on leadership development of trustees and the political connection between trustees and their communities and the Alberta government.
Overall, the Association is a forthright advocate for public school education—to the Minister of Education and Childcare, to all members of the Legislative Assembly, to Alberta Education, to the media, to the public, and to our frontline partner organizations.
From the beginning, the Association has never shied away from representing public school education for non-members as it does for members. The clarity and collaborative outcomes we achieve apply to all public school boards.
We’re proud of what we do, confident about why we do our work, and honoured to represent our members and public school education in Alberta.