The ASBA Seminar: Non-partisanship & Voting

I attended the Alberta School Board Association's Trustee seminar the evening of May 27th, which was quite well attended by my fellow candidates for trustee in Edmonton Public, Edmonton Catholic, St. Albert, and a number of rural boards near the City of Edmonton. I was encouraged to see so many out at this early stage of the election process. No matter the results at the end of the day, this level of interest bodes well for the health of elected school boards in Alberta.

Current Edmonton Public Trustee Gerry Gibeault was guest speaker for the bulk of the presentation. The first point Trustee Gibeault made is that the position of elected school board trustee is a non-partisan position. There is no “government” and no “opposition”. All trustees sit as elected by the voters in their respective wards with no party ties. Mr. Gibeault confirmed many of my thoughts with respect to the role of trustees and of public education in the community. I intend to work as a facilitator, and as a mediator – but I also intend to work for those that elected me. A school board constituency is no less a constituency than that of Premier Ed Stelmach’s in Fort Saskatchewan – Vegreville, or NDP Opposition Leader Brian Mason’s in Edmonton Highlands – Norwood.

Another topic that came to my mind and many others during the course of the day was in speaking to voters without school-age children. It’s a reality that many municipal voters will not have children in school. So, for those people, what impact does the election of Public School Board Trustees have on your life?
The children in our public schools are tomorrow’s workforce – the doctors, lawyers, clerks, caregivers, and leaders of tomorrow. The children in our public schools are learning not just the curriculum, but life skills and quality character traits. The school in your community reflects and contributes to the reputation of your community.

The role of Public School Trustee means to be accountable to all the voters/taxpayers in the community – parents and non-parents alike, school board staff and students. I will be that trustee.

Trustees, even with their reduced power, still make the ultimate decisions on everything not specifically delegated to the Superintendent. Each trustee has a responsibility to make the decision that is best for their constituents and their ward. Part of that decision making is being a communicator, a planner, a policy maker, a lobbyist, an advocate. I will be that trustee.

While schools in Ward I are currently not part of the Sector Reviews being undertaken by the current Edmonton Public School Board, I am reminded that the Mill Woods communities in particular are approaching 40 years of age and the community has changed dramatically over time. We need trustees who will be open to alternative solutions when the future of schools is debated – trustees who will think outside the box and invite creative ideas to maintain vitality in communities. I will be that trustee.

- Tina.