As part of the municipal general elections, Albertans vote for their school board trustees. A general election takes place once every four years.
Local Authorities Election Act and Education Act
The LAEA is the primary legislation that guides the conduct of a school board or municipal
election or by-election. The Education Act covers a number of instances related to school board
elections, such as vacancies on a school board and electoral structures.
Planning an election is a complex process. Some of the details for ensuring a successful election
include:
- appointing/hiring an RO, substitute RO, deputy returning officer (DRO) and other election
officials;
- booking facilities that can be used as voting stations;
- conducting school board elections in conjunction with municipal elections (if applicable);
- preparing materials, ordering ballots, ballot boxes and privacy screens;
- creating packages and providing information to prospective candidates; and
- maintaining a register of candidates for disclosure to Alberta Education 24 hours after
nominations close on nomination day.
Boards that have wards and/or subdivisions can pass a bylaw to amend electoral boundaries
and/or trustee representation. If they have wards and/or subdivisions, they must confirm or
amend the ward/subdivision boundaries by December 31, 2020, for the 2021 general election. A
ward bylaw will remain in force unless it’s repealed by December 31 in the year prior to the next
general election being held.
Some election processes require approval from the elected school board. Board resolutions are
needed to appoint an RO and to provide for special ballots, advance votes, incapacitated elector
at home voting and institutional voting. School boards may also determine if they will hold an
election separately or with another elected authority in the same area.
Becoming a Trustee
Are you considering the vocation of a Catholic School Trustee?
General Eligibility
A person is eligible to vote in a school board trustee election if they:
- are at least 18 years of age;
- are
a Canadian citizen; and reside in Alberta and their place of residence
is located in the school board’s boundaries on election day. Note: Reference Vermilion, Wainwright, Provost, Castor, and Stettler separate school boundary maps to determine whether or not the voter or potential candidate primary residence is located within the boundaries.
A person can be nominated as a school board trustee in any election if they:
- are eligible to vote in the election;
- have
been a resident of the local jurisdiction and the ward for the six
consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day; and are not
otherwise ineligible.
Faith-Based Eligibility
Where a
separate school district is established, an individual residing in the
boundaries of the established area is considered a separate school
elector if they declare they are of the same faith (either Protestant or
Roman Catholic) as those who established the separate school district. A
separate school elector is eligible to be nominated as or vote for
either a public school trustee or a separate school trustee for the
school board in which the person resides (not both).
Select the appropriate zone nomination pdf form from the links
provided below. If you have any questions or concerns about the process
please call division office @ 780-842-3992.
What does a Catholic School Trustee do?
- As Catholic trustees, Catholic education is entrusted to us. We
must hold within ourselves a deeper understanding of and commitment to
the nature of Catholic education.
- As Catholic trustees, we ensure that the essence of Catholic
education, formed through partnership of home, school and parish, is
recognized and supported in the political arena.
- As Catholic trustees, we ensure the support and encouragement of
our teachers and school staff by providing them with opportunities for
faith formation
- As Catholic trustees, we ensure that our educational leaders are
able to examine their unique role in shaping the faith life of their
school.
- As Catholic trustees, we ensure that our students are seen as
individuals and given the chance to study in a learning environment
permeated by Gospel values and sacramental life.
- As Catholic trustees, we are evangelizers of the good news of Christ in all aspects of our lives.
- As Catholic trustees, we are stewards of our Catholic faith;
with care, we tend to it in our own lives and we foster it in the lives
of all whom we encounter.
- Catholic school trusteeship is a unique vocation which serves
the Church and the community. The Catholic school trustee plays an
integral part in ensuring that Christ is the heart and soul of every
Catholic school. The uniqueness of Catholic education lies in the fact
that its purpose and end is holiness.
For more information on Catholic schools in Alberta, Northwest
Territories, and Yukon, please contact the Alberta Catholic School
Trustees’ Association or your local Catholic school board. In order to
assist with this the ACSTA has prepared the following information
booklet for interested Catholics on the role of being a Catholic
trustee, as well as the information and guidelines you need to know to
run in the election.
You may also be assisted by the following information links:
- The Local Authorities Election Act
- The Education Act
- Alberta School Election Guide & Resources
- ATA - What is the role of a Trustee?
The next general election in Alberta is in October 2021.
(Source - https://www.acsta.ab.ca/resources/becoming-a-trustee)