Education Act 2011 Proposed Framework: Appointment of Trustees

At the CAPSC meeting on Wednesday, November 17, membership had a strong reaction to section 6(d) of the proposed Education Act that states, "Where there are underrepresented groups, a board may appoint, with the approval of the Minister, up to one third of the number of trustees to a board, and the Minister, in consultation with the board, may appoint up to one-third of the number of trustees to the board.

CAPSC has followed up this discussion by submitting a further question to Alberta Education:

In the current School Act, there is a section pertaining to committees. Is there any underlying regulation that would narrow the definition and preclude a board from constituting a committee that provides advice and guidance around diversity issues?

If there are no restrictions, would this not be a more effective way to address the issue that the Minister is attempting to remedy in Section 6(d) of the proposed framework for the Education Act which outlines a provision for appointment by boards or the Minister to boards where there may be underrepresented groups. Democracy would be preserved and there would be more flexibility around all boards' ability to address a wide range of diversity issues. It would also align with the Minister's public statements supporting "a community governance model which will bring all voices to the table in understanding how we create the best opportunity for our students." For example, in Calgary, Chief Superintendent Naomi Johnson, with direction from theTrustees, has set up a Cultural Advisory Council and an Elder Advisory Council that would advise and consult with the Board around decisions and policy development as it pertains to diversity and multiculturalism. As well, Administration has instituted a Youth Advisory Council comprised of leadership students from each High School in the Calgary Board of Education.

A representative from Alberta Education has responded with the following:

As you’ve noted, section 60(2)(i) of the School Act permits boards to establish committees and I believe it is currently the case that some boards have already established committees to examine issues related to diversity. You’ve noted that such a committee currently exists in Calgary and I believe the same is true in Edmonton.

Feedback received through Inspiring Education and Inspiring Action indicates that Albertans believe more needs to be done to make boards representative of their communities. While boards in Calgary and Edmonton may have had some success in using the existing provisions of the School Act to address the needs and diversity of their communities, other boards in Alberta have not been as successful. The intent behind the proposed provision is to ensure boards across the province adequately reflect the diverse interests of their communities.

The contemplated provisions would also enable a board itself to appoint a trustee where it feels like greater engagement from the community is needed. The board may feel that it is not necessary to actually appoint a trustee, but rather to set up a committee to address these issues, under section 60(2)(i). This may go some way to satisfying the Minister that a particular group is not under-represented. In any event, the intent of the proposed provision is to encourage all boards in Alberta to consider ways in which to better engage their communities and to find ways for those voices to be heard.”

If parents or school councils have comments, they can provide them at the Alberta Education website until the end of November.