Frequently Asked Questions - Board
1. Introduction
Running for a school board trustee role with the Black Gold School Division offers a meaningful way to contribute to your community and shape the future of public education. Trustees advocate for student success, equity, and inclusivity while ensuring community values are reflected in schools. They set the strategic direction for the Division, influence education policies, and strengthen the foundation of public education.
The role provides opportunities to develop leadership skills, collaborate on governance, and drive meaningful change, such as advancing Truth and Reconciliation initiatives, special education, alternative programming, dual credit, etc. It’s a challenging yet rewarding way to support students, families, and the broader community while making a lasting, positive impact on society.
2. Eligibility and Candidacy
Who is eligible to become a trustee candidate?
The Local Authorities Election Act states that a person is eligible to be nominated as a candidate in any election under this Act if on nomination day the person:
(a) is eligible to vote in that election,
(b) has been a resident of the local jurisdiction and the ward, if any, for the 6 consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day, and
(c) is not otherwise ineligible or disqualified.
It is a candidate’s responsibility to confirm eligibility before engaging in the nomination process, and to read and understand the legislation, and to seek appropriate legal or accounting advice from professionals as required. The candidate is also responsible for ensuring that his or her campaign complies with all provincial laws.
How do I register as a candidate?
The nomination period for the 2025 School Board Election opens on January 1, 2025, and runs until 12 p.m. on Nomination Day, which is Monday, September 22, 2025. Please visit our 2025 Election webpage for more information.
- Campaign Checklist (coming soon)
- Election Guide (coming soon)
Upon being elected
After the election a list of important dates will be sent to you to add to your calendar. You will be contacted by the Office of the Superintendent with more information prior to the mandatory Board orientation sessions and the trustee swearing-in ceremony.
Within the first few weeks following the election, orientation sessions will be provided for the new Board of Trustees in preparation for the Organizational Board meeting, the first regular board meeting and Division Results Review meetings. A calendar of meetings scheduled within the first few months of the election will be provided to candidates.
A Criminal Record/Vulnerable Sector check must be provided to the school division.
As a school trustee, you are elected to represent the best interests of all schools in Black Gold School Division, requiring you to develop a thorough understanding of all Black Gold communities, not just your ward schools.
3. Qualities and Responsibilities of a Trustee
What are the qualities of a successful trustee?
Prepared to put students first…
Successful school trustees put the needs of students first. They run for office because they are committed to making things better for Alberta’s children.
An effective communicator…
School trustees ensure that the wishes of the whole community are reflected in the management and operation of the Division’s schools. Trustees must be willing to ask the community what it needs and wants from its schools. Trustees must strive to inform the community about the school board’s plans and decisions.
A team player…
School trustees work as a board to make collective decisions, focusing on the success of all schools while avoiding personal agendas. Acting individually, a trustee does not have the authority to make decisions. Only the school board, in public session, has the power to make decisions. While an interest in a particular school or issue may prompt you to seek office, as a school trustee, you are responsible for all schools in the jurisdiction.
A voice for public education…
Represents the interests of students, parents, and the community, ensuring decisions reflect their needs and priorities. Communicates to politicians and the public, ways to improve and strengthen public education.
Not necessarily an “education expert”…
You don’t have to be an “education expert” to serve as a school trustee. The ideal school board includes people from all walks of life. The school trustee does not serve as a professional educator or as the spokesperson for a particular Interest group or region.
The effective school trustee considers the wishes of all parents, students, and community members of the school division, and advocates for the best interests of students. It is essential that trustees support the best interests of all schools, not just their ward schools.
Welcomes diverse perspectives…
Sees a variety of backgrounds and perspectives as critical to strengthening the board’s ability to serve the community.
Additionally, a successful trustee is:
- Respectful and Inclusive: Values diversity and fosters equity for all.
- Equity-Focused: Advocates for fair opportunities and outcomes.
- Committed to Lifelong Learning: Continuously seeks to grow and improve.
- Knowledgeable and Informed: Understands issues and makes well-informed decisions.
- Adaptable and Open-Minded: Embraces new ideas and responds to change.
- Ethical and Integrity-Driven: Acts with honesty and accountability.
How do school trustees benefit the community?
The Board works to ensure the values and priorities of the community are reflected in its schools. Trustees serve the broader community by bringing those diverse perspectives to the table to set the strategic direction for the Division. This ensures the Division is responsive to the needs of parents, families and students. The alternative would be leaving those decisions to administration at a local or provincial level. This may not fully reflect the unique needs of local school communities.
It's important to remember that public education impacts the entire community and trustees have a responsibility to all members, including those who do not have children in school.
4. Time Commitment and Professional Development
What is the time commitment required?
The Black Gold School Division is a learning organization, and is part of one of the best education systems in the world. More than 13,500 students learn in our schools and from some of the best educators in the world. Our learning extends to the work of the Board of Trustees as well.
The work schedule of a trustee can vary greatly depending on the time of year. Trustees are expected to dedicate time to become familiar with meeting agendas and notes for Board and committee meetings, and prepare for any and all meetings with community partners.
The trustee work schedule is created annually. In general, trustee work occurs during the school year primarily during the daytime; however, evening commitments will occur.
Regular responsibilities and expectations
Below are a few examples of the typical school year daytime and evening required/expected engagements that trustees must attend (please note that this is not an exhaustive list and may be subject to change):
- Regular Board meetings: 11 x per year = 11 full days
- Committee of the Whole meetings: 7 days full days per year
- Committee Work: Varies by committee
- Reading and meeting preparation: 2 - 4 hours per week. Reviewing Board agendas and meeting notes, etc.
- School Visits: 10 full days per year
- Spring and Fall Division Review and Planning: 2 days each
- Attending School Council meetings: Varies, 2 - 4 evenings per month
- Representing the Board at various school events: Varies, 6 - 12 events per year, such as award nights, winter concerts, Remembrance Day ceremony.
- Council of School Councils (CoSC): 3 - 4 events per year (evenings)
- Annual Community Engagement (ACE): 1 event per year (evenings)
- Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) annual general meetings: 2 x per year = 3 days each (requires overnight stay/travel)
Importance of flexibility and preparation
Successful trustees should have flexibility in their work schedules to meet the requirements of the role, including regular attendance at Board and Committee of the Whole meetings.
According to Black Gold School Division Board Policy 8 and Board Policy 9, every trustee has a responsibility to the corporate Board, and to participate in a number of Board committees to equitably distribute the work of the Board of Trustees.
Is Professional Development Available to Trustees?
At Black Gold, we are a learning organization, and our learning extends to the work of the Board of Trustees. We are committed to continuously learning and improving to develop trustees' knowledge and skills. Numerous opportunities are available and trustees are encouraged to refine, develop and strengthen their knowledge of public education and governance skills. This may include conferences and seminars, as well as professional in-person and virtual learning opportunities.
5. Compensation and Benefits
What compensation do trustees receive?
Policy 7 - Appendix B Trustee Compensation details trustees remuneration, allowances and expenses. Black Gold trustees do not receive traditional pension benefits.
Trustees are eligible for the following benefit packages under the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP):
- Extended Health Care (Plan 1)
- Dental Care (Plan 3)
- Vision Care (plan 3)
- Health Spending Account/Wellness Spending Account
- Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (Plan 2)
Trustee remuneration is reviewed annually and is disclosed publicly on our website.
6. Board Operations and Governance
What is an “In Camera” meeting?
While school board meetings are held in public, the Board is able to meet in camera (in private) in certain circumstances. It may be a breach of a trustee’s fiduciary duty or the trustee’s code of conduct to disclose the content of in camera meeting discussions.
Do I have to vote on every motion?
Every trustee must vote on every motion – except if a trustee has a pecuniary interest in the matter, or if the school board votes to excuse that trustee from voting on the matter.
What exactly are pecuniary interests?
At the first Board meeting of their term, trustees are required to disclose any pecuniary interests they may have. Section 85 of the Alberta Education Act defines in some detail what constitutes a pecuniary interest. The pecuniary interest of a trustee’s spouse or adult interdependent partner is the pecuniary interest of the trustee.
An adult interdependent partner is defined in the Adult Interdependent Relationships Act (s.3) as an individual with whom a person has lived in a relationship of interdependence for a continuous period of not less than three years, or of some permanence, if there was a child of the related by birth or adoption, or the person entered into an adult interdependent partner agreement. In addition, in accordance with section 81 of the School Act each trustee must now file a statement with the Secretary of the Board (Associate Superintendent - Business and Finance) showing: the names and employment of the trustee and the trustee’s spouse and children, the names of the corporations, partnerships, firms, governments of persons in which the trustee has a pecuniary interest and the names of the corporations, partnerships, firms, governments or persons in which the trustee’s spouse or children, under 18 years of age, have a pecuniary interest.
You must decide when you have a pecuniary interest - the Board cannot make the decision for you. A trustee with a pecuniary interest is required to leave the boardroom and/or abstain from voting on any related motion.
Trustees should also make themselves aware of Section 170 of the Municipal Government Act, which governs Section 85 of the Education Act.
What if a trustee disagrees with a decision the Board makes?
Share and defend your views, but listen to the views of others. You won’t “win” on every issue you care about. In the charged and urgent arena of public education, expect to be flexible, even as you honor your deepest values and commitments. There will be times when change must be made, when tradition cannot be honored or when pressure must be resisted. Sometimes, you’ll measure your school board’s success not by how agreeable you all are, but by the board’s ability to disagree respectfully and have a spirited discussion followed by a difficult vote. After a difficult vote, effective boards embrace the decision and move forward together.
A trustee's responsibility to the Corporate Board requires that once a decision is made, all trustees are bound to support it - even if they voted against it.
7. Legal and Ethical Considerations
What is a trustee liable for?
All authority delegated by the province is to the corporate school board; not to individual trustees. With the four following exceptions any action taken against the school board is against the corporate board – not individual trustees.
- Improper Use of Funds: If a school board uses money acquired for capital expenditures for unauthorized purposes, the trustees who were on the board when the board approved the improper application of the capital money, whether or not they are still trustees, are jointly and severally liable for the payment to the board of the amount of money applied to the unauthorized use (s.184, Alberta Education Act).
- Non-Performance of Statutory Duties: Trustees who fail or refuse to perform statutory duties imposed by various statutes may be held personally responsible (e.g., s.112 of the Employment Standards Code could hold trustees jointly and severally liable for unpaid wages).
- Personal Gain: If a court declares a trustee disqualified from remaining on the board due to his/her personal gain from contracts with the board, the trustee may be ordered to pay the board any profits.
- Breaches of Common Law: Trustees may be held personally liable for breaches of common law such as acting in bad faith, in a discriminatory manner, or in abuse of their powers. It must be noted that actions against such breaches are likely to be successful only where the evidence presented is clearly indisputable.
Board Policy 4 - Trustee Code of Conduct
What do trustees have to consider for their online presence, including social media?
Once elected, a school trustee becomes a public figure, and as such must govern their online profiles accordingly.
- Trustees are expected to uphold the integrity of the Board in all communications, including social media. They should ensure that their online presence reflects the values and responsibilities of their role.
- Trustees must not disclose confidential information obtained through their position on any platform, including social media.
- Trustees are responsible for safeguarding sensitive information related to the Division and its stakeholders.
- When interacting on social media, trustees should engage respectfully and professionally with the community. They should avoid participating in or endorsing discussions that could harm the reputation of the Division or its members.
8. Addressing Community Concerns
What do I do if someone comes to me with a problem at a school or with a staff member?
Black Gold supports the right of parents and members of the public to make inquiries into the conduct of operations of the Division. In the interests of open communication, the Superintendent believes that inquiries must first be directed to the staff members most directly involved in the operations in question. If the parent or member of the public is not satisfied with the response at that level, he/she is to be encouraged to follow the lines of authority as appropriate.
Please see the Addressing Parent Concerns section on the BGSD website, and refer to BGSD Admin Procedure 152.
9. Additional Resources
For questions and clarification regarding eligibility and candidacy, please contact our Elections Officer at [email protected].