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Is Education a Municipal Issue?


In Calgary, education is not governed directly by the municipal (civic) government — it’s governed at the provincial and school board levels. So while the city doesn’t govern education, citizens elect local trustees who do. Here is the breakdown...


Provincial Responsibility (Alberta Government)

Education in Alberta is primarily under the jurisdiction of the provincial government, specifically Alberta Education (a ministry of the Government of Alberta).

They:

  • Set curriculum and learning outcomes.

  • Decide teacher certification and standards.

  • Allocate funding to school boards.

  • Set regulations for how schools operate.

So, decisions like what’s taught in classrooms or how schools are funded come from Edmonton, not Calgary City Hall.


Local School Boards

At the civic level, education is administered, not governed, by locally elected school boards. In Calgary, there are several major ones:


Calgary Board of Education (CBE)

  • Serves public (non-Catholic) students.

  • Trustees are elected during municipal elections (same day as the mayor and councillors).

  • Responsible for policies, budgets, and managing schools in its district.


Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD)

  • Serves Catholic students in Calgary and surrounding areas.

  • Also has elected trustees who make decisions for the Catholic system.


Other School Authorities

  • Charter Schools, Private Schools, and Francophone Boards (like Conseil scolaire FrancoSud) operate under separate governance but are still accountable to Alberta Education.


City of Calgary’s Role


The City of Calgary itself has no direct authority over what happens in schools, but it plays supportive and planning roles, such as:


  • Zoning and land-use planning for where schools can be built.

  • Transportation and safety (e.g., school zones, crossing guards, bus routes).

  • Partnerships for community use of school gyms, fields, and recreation facilities.

  • Supporting early childhood and after-school programs.


Civic Elections Connection

During civic elections, Calgarians vote for:


  • Mayor & City Councillors (municipal government)

  • Public School Trustees (CBE)

  • Separate School Trustees (CCSD)




 
 
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