New Education Act
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT municipalities strongly support locally elected school boards and request the province ensure in the new education Act that locally elected school boards:
- Have the authority to responsibly undertake local education priorities; and
- Are given natural person powers.
WHEREAS excellent education for each and every person is the primary basis for free and effective citizens and for a strong and enduring democratic community;
WHEREAS parents have a right and ultimate responsibility to make informed decisions respecting the education of their children;
WHEREAS public school education focuses on the student in the context of the community, and exists to serve, equally, the potential of the student and the community;
WHEREAS it is in the public interest to provide public school education that is inclusive and a deliberate model of a civil democratic community, governed by locally elected school boards;
WHEREAS in Alberta the Legislature of Alberta has exclusive constitutional authority to make laws respecting education and chooses to regard the government of community as being in two parts, provincial and local, and acknowledges and upholds the provisions of the Constitution that allow separate, and francophone education to be provided under the auspices of a civil education authority; and
WHEREAS in Alberta it is in the public interest to ensure substantial local selfgovernment of public, separate, and francophone school education by trustees who are elected locally and accountable to their local electorate.
Jun 25, 2010 - Alberta Education
The Ministry of Education strongly supports the role of locally elected school boards. The new Education Act will continue to support and encourage this role and the local autonomy that boards enjoy.
One of the broad-scope objectives is for the new Act to be enabling and provide a framework that guides but is not prescriptive. The Government of Alberta is committed to ensuring school board governance structures provide for local authority, autonomy and accountability to more effectively address local needs. Boards will determine locally the educational benefits that may accrue from entering into agreements with other boards. Education is looking into ways to facilitate board understanding of the flexibility and scope of the agreements that are permitted under Section 62(1).
AUMA files this response but will continue to encourage the Province to give natural person powers to elected school boards and to ensure that they have the authority to undertake local education priorities.