Understanding the Role of Elected Trustees in the Calgary’s CBE Board.

Elected Trustees = Local Representatives

Each school board (CBE or CCSD) is divided into wards, similar to city council.

Voters in each ward elect one trustee every 4 years during the municipal election.
These trustees sit together as a Board of Trustees — the governing body for that school system.
They represent parents, students, and community interests in that area.

What Trustees Actually Do

Trustees act like a board of directors for the school district. Their main responsibilities include:

Governance & Policy

Develop and approve board policies (e.g., attendance boundaries, inclusion policies, student conduct, facility use).
Ensure the district follows provincial laws and regulations set by Alberta Education.

Budget & Finance

Approve the annual budget — deciding how to allocate provincial funding across schools.
Oversee spending priorities (e.g., class sizes, supports for special needs, technology, or capital projects like new schools).
Trustees cannot raise taxes; all funding comes from the province, though they decide how to spend it locally.

Superintendent Oversight

Hire, evaluate, and if necessary, dismiss the Chief Superintendent (CEO) — the top executive who manages day-to-day school operations.
The superintendent implements board policy, manages staff, and runs the schools.

Advocacy

Advocate to the provincial government for more funding or new schools.
Engage with parents and communities through consultations and public board meetings.
Represent the district on provincial school board associations (e.g., Alberta School Boards Association).

How Decisions Are Made

The Board meets regularly in public meetings (usually monthly).
Agendas and minutes are published online.
Trustees debate, vote, and pass motions (majority rules).
Once a decision is made, all trustees are expected to support the board’s collective decision, even if they personally disagreed.

School Councils & Public Input

Every individual school has a School Council, made up of parents, teachers, and sometimes students.

These councils give feedback to trustees on issues like curriculum delivery, safety, and school culture.
They don’t govern but can influence board priorities through advocacy.

An Example in Calgary:

Let’s say a new neighbourhood in north Calgary needs a school.

Parents raise concerns through their school council or trustee.
The Board discusses it and adds it to their capital plan.
They advocate to Alberta Education, which decides whether to fund it.
Once funding is approved, the Board manages site planning and construction (with City of Calgary coordination for zoning and infrastructure).

So in short: