School boards help shape the future of local communities by governing the education of young people. The provincial government, through the Minister of Education, grants school boards the independent authority to make decisions about important aspects of local public education. Please reference Board Policy 2: Role of the Board and Policy 3: Role of the Trustee for additional information.
The term of office is four years. The school board trustees elected on Oct. 20, 2025 will hold office until the next general election in October 2029 (ref. Local Authorities Election Act Section 10(1)).
All trustees are expected to attend Board of Trustee meetings and committee meetings. Board meetings are typically held twice a month during the day and are open to the public. Committee meetings vary depending on committee involvement, with meetings at least twice a month and often more frequently.
In addition to Board and Committee meetings, trustees are expected to participate in professional learning, school council and meetings with the government, partners, agencies and community members. Time commitments will vary but can be expected to require a commitment on average of 10 hours or more per week.
Trustees are responsible for staying in touch with the community to ensure they understand, and reflect in their decision-making, what citizens value and want from their local public schools. Trustees do not represent any one school, neighbourhood or community. Rather, they make decisions based on the needs of the entire jurisdiction. As elected officials, trustees are:
- Communicators: Trustees ensure the community has a say in what children learn by communicating effectively with the public and ensuring the concerns and wishes of citizens are heard.
- Planners: Trustees provide direction on plans to support student needs and actively participate in the economic and social strength of local communities.
- Policymakers: Trustees create policies to guide administration and staff. They also evaluate the impact of these policies and adjust where necessary.
- Advocates: Trustees address and seek resolution to public education issues of importance to students, parents and the community.
- Educators: Trustees play a key role in developing tomorrow’s citizens because they make decisions that impact the direction and quality of public education.
- Adjudicators: Trustees hear and make judgements concerning local education decisions and policies that individuals, groups or the public feel are unfair or improper.
- Lobbyists: Trustees communicate with the municipal and provincial levels of government to ensure those who influence funding and other resources hear the voice of the local community.
- Legislators: Trustees can make decisions that have the status and impact of law (i.e. decisions governing and enforcing the conduct of students and staff).
- Politicians: Trustees are elected every four years to govern the local public education system on behalf of the community. The democratic process ensures the public remains part of public education.
For more information, please see Board Policy 3: Role of the Trustee.
Specific school board responsibilities include:
- Planning for the division
- Setting priorities for the Board and division
- Setting goals and policies
- Evaluating the Superintendent of Schools
- Adopting an annual budget for the school system
- Communicating with the community and staff on behalf of the division
- Educating others, so education is given a high priority by the public
- Keeping the community aware of the division’s achievements
- Adjudicating in policy disputes
- Lobbying all levels of government on behalf of education
- Building relationships with community agencies and municipal partners
For more information, please see Board Policy 2: Role of the Board.