Election 2025

ELECTION 2025

BTPS School Board Trustee Elections will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025.

School board trustees are local politicians elected by and accountable to the communities they serve. The provincial government delegates to school boards the responsibility for conducting the affairs of the school jurisdiction. The school board has many responsibilities, including;

  • setting school jurisdiction goals that ensure students have the knowledge and skills that enable them to be better prepared for life;
  • planning school jurisdiction priorities based on provincial curriculum requirements, community input, available resources and best practices in education
  • developing policies to guide school jurisdiction administration and employees toward division goals;
  • ensuring residents of the school jurisdiction are regularly informed about the work and achievements of the school division;
  • advocating on behalf of the school community to decision-makers and stakeholders on important issues that affect education, and to ensure education is a top public priority;
  • ensuring regular opportunities for public input and access;
  • evaluating the school jurisdiction’s chief executive officer – the superintendent of schools.

What is the time commitment?

School board trustees are expected to attend regular meetings and special meetings, sit on committees, attend school council meetings and other functions. To get an idea of what is required contact a current trustee. The trustee contact information is HERE

Understanding an individual trustee's role and responsibilities is fundamental to good governance. A school board trustee is a member of a board, and as such, trustees cannot act unilaterally.

It is through the process of collaborating and engaging in joint decision-making as members of the board that trustees work to translate the values, priorities and expectations of the community into policy.

Once the board of trustees has voted, individual trustee members are bound by the majority decision, regardless of whether they supported or voted against it during debate.

Trustees bring a range of skills, experience, knowledge, values, beliefs, and opinions to their role. Their background does not necessarily include teaching, administration, or any other aspect of education. This diversity can support democratic processes and contribute to good decision-making.

The trustee's role as an education advocate often extends beyond the boundaries of the jurisdiction. In the broader public domain, trustees are education advocates throughout the province and work with the provincial government in the shared interest of publicly-funded education. They may liaise with members of the provincial government, the school system, and with local organizations or individuals in the community in the course of carrying out their duties as a locally-elected official.

  • Attend and participate in board meetings
  • Become familiar with and adhere to the Trustee Code of Conduct, report any violations
  • Become familiar with Division policies and procedures, meeting agendas and reports in order to participate in Board business.
  • Help newly elected trustees become informed about the history, functions, policies,   procedures, and issues.

Undertaking a governance role is a commitment to promote the effective functioning of the school board as a whole.

  • Advocates for Alberta's children - assessing educational policies to support what is best for the development of the whole child.
  • Champions for 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.
  • 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 - interact with the many groups and people with 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 regarding the dollars spent in the school authority and the results of public investment in addressing the needs of students and the wants of the community.

School boards make a difference.

They care about the needs of children today and in the future.

Basic Requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be a Canadian citizen
  • Have lived in Alberta for at least 6 consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day, and you live within the boundaries of the jurisdiction (ward) in which you wish to run.

In public school jurisdictions, you must:

  • Be eligible to vote in the election;
  • Have lived in the local jurisdiction and the ward for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day.

The Nomination period begins January 1, 2025 through to September 22, 2025. Prior to Nomination Day you must book an appointment with the Returning Officer to submit your completed nomination form and hand in your cash deposit.

The Nomination Day in Alberta is September 22, 2025, you are responsible for verifying the date and time for nominations with your local school division.

To be nominated as a candidate in the school board election under the Local Authorities Election Act, a person must be eligible under sections 21 and 47 of the Local Authorities Election Act and sections 4(4) and 74 of the Education Act (if applicable) to be elected to the office, and not otherwise disqualified under section 22 or 23 of the Local Authorities Election Act.

The Returning Officer for Buffalo Trail Public Schools is;

Peter Neale, 1041 - 10A Street, Wainwright, AB. T9W 2R4

Email: peter.neale@btps.ca  Phone: 780-842-6144