Secret #9: You need to read the School Act

Education Minister Dave Hancock is planning to introduce a new School Act soon

The School Act is a key piece of legislation that governs the work of school boards and trustees need to be familiar with it's provisions.  Among other things it covers:

* student attendance: the law says students only need to attend school until they turn 16 (effectively, completion of junior high).  The Edmonton Public School Board passed a motion this spring in support of raising the compulsory schooling age to 18 (effectively, completion of high school)

* school councils and how they are to operate

* suspensions and expulsions of students

* school board meetings and procedures

* conflicts of interest

* employment of teachers and non-teaching personnel

* financial matters including the option school boards have to hold a plebiscite on a special school tax levy.  Our Board considered authorizing the holding of a plebiscite this year but decided against it, in part because it has never been successful in any other jurisdiction that has tried it.

In addition to the Act, you should be familiar with the associated regulations.  One that is of particular importance is the School Closure regulation, which outlines the minimum requirements school boards must meet when considering the closure of schools.

The time you spend studying the School Act, and its regulations, will be time well spent.  To view it now, click here.


News Flash!

Get a sense of the Public School Board candidates views by reading their answers to questions posed by the Alberta Teachers Association Local 37 by clicking here.