WHAT TRUSTEES DO

In Alberta, citizens elect school boards to act for the legislature in their local schools and communities. School boards exist because of the belief that government - and decisions - made closest to the people being governed are the most effective. The Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) describes what school trustees do:

Advocates for Alberta's children - assessing educational policies to support what is best for the development of the whole child.
Champions for education - keeping the positive image of schools before the community to ensure that education is given a high priority and the school community is aware of school authorities' accomplishments.
Partners in education – working with and being the voice of parents and public community members to ensure the best education possible for all children, everywhere in Alberta.
Strategic governors – setting strategic priorities in light of community expectations, available resources, needs of students, and sound educational practice.
Political officials – reporting to the public electorate through the democratic process, school boards are a government entity charged with the responsibility to govern the affairs of the school authority under the Education Act.
Evaluators – ensuring policies and practices are effective; ensuring effective management of resources; overseeing the effectiveness of leadership; ensuring policies are implemented in a fair and just manner and effective in achieving intended results for students.
Communicators – interacting with the many groups and people who have a stake in K-12 education.
Policy makers – developing policies that guide the administration and other employees in achieving the School Board’s goals for student success and wellness.
Financial planners – ensuring transparency to the public for the dollars spent in the school authority and the results for public investment, in addressing the needs of students and the wants of the community.
Legislators – setting local policy to meet local contextual needs and help drive public policy changes at the provincial level.
Lobbyists – communicating with all orders of government to make sure that local voices are heard by those who have the power to keep education needs high on the list of priorities.
A bridge – connecting with the community and sharing information of the school authority, the provincial government, and the public.
Make a difference – caring about the needs of children today and for the future; School Boards provide important oversight into the education system ensuring parents’ voices, students’ needs and school community thinking, remain at the forefront in our education system.

Trustees demonstrate commitment to education by accepting responsibility for the policies and procedures of Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS). They are elected representatives who are accountable to you, the parents and to the community members of this school division.

The role of the Trustee is to contribute to the Board as it carries out its mandate in order to achieve its mission. Trustees work diligently and faithfully in the cause of public education. EIPS' Board Policy Handbook outlines specific responsibilities of individual trustees. Click here for further information on the role of the Trustee in EIPS.

WHAT TRUSTEES DO

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Advocates for Alberta's children - assessing educational policies to support what is best for the development of the whole child.

Champions for education - keeping the positive image of schools before the community to ensure that education is given a high priority and the school community is aware of school authorities' accomplishments.

Partners in education – working with and being the voice of parents and public community members to ensure the best education possible for all children, everywhere in Alberta.

Strategic governors – setting strategic priorities in light of community expectations, available resources, needs of students, and sound educational practice.

Political officials – reporting to the public electorate through the democratic process, school boards are a government entity charged with the responsibility to govern the affairs of the school authority under the Education Act.

Evaluators – ensuring policies and practices are effective; ensuring effective management of resources; overseeing the effectiveness of leadership; ensuring policies are implemented in a fair and just manner and effective in achieving intended results for students.

Communicators – interacting with the many groups and people who have a stake in K-12 education.

Policy makers – developing policies that guide the administration and other employees in achieving the School Board’s goals for student success and wellness.

Financial planners – ensuring transparency to the public for the dollars spent in the school authority and the results for public investment, in addressing the needs of students and the wants of the community.

Legislators – setting local policy to meet local contextual needs and help drive public policy changes at the provincial level.

Lobbyists – communicating with all orders of government to make sure that local voices are heard by those who have the power to keep education needs high on the list of priorities.

A bridge – connecting with the community and sharing information of the school authority, the provincial government, and the public.

Make a difference – caring about the needs of children today and for the future; School Boards provide important oversight into the education system ensuring parents’ voices, students’ needs and school community thinking, remain at the forefront in our education system.

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