School board trustees fulfil a key role in shaping the future of education.  Trustees provide a framework in which the Division operates, and set priorities for the educational system.

The key responsibility for trustees is to stay in touch with community stakeholders so that they understand and reflect in their decision-making, what all citizens value and want from their local public schools. It’s important to note that trustees do not represent any one school, neighbourhood or community. Rather, they make decisions based on the needs of the entire jurisdiction.

Trustees are entrusted to govern their division by balancing the diverse needs of students, families and communities. Their work encompasses several key areas:

• Setting Direction: Trustees establish the strategic vision and priorities for their division, ensuring that all students can succeed. This includes approving goals that reflect community input and comply with provincial guidelines.
• Developing Policy: By creating policies, trustees set the framework for how their division operates. These policies guide everything from fiscal oversight and student well-being to annual school calendars.
• Budget Approval and Oversight: Trustees approve the division’s annual budget, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and responsibly.
• Superintendent Oversight: Working together as the board, they hire and evaluate the superintendent, who is responsible for implementing board decisions and managing day-to-day operations.
• Advocacy and Representation: Trustees advocate for public education at the municipal and provincial levels, representing the interests of their communities.
• Community Engagement: Trustees actively communicate with parents, students and other stakeholders, ensuring everyone’s voices are considered in board decisions.

The board is collectively responsible for governance and all trustees are bound by its decisions. Individual trustees hold no legal authority; decision-making power rests solely with the board. However, the role of a trustee carries leadership and accountability, both to their constituents and the broader community. In this capacity, trustees can serve as role models and set a positive example for others.

Hear from some of our current trustees about why they stepped up (coming soon!)

Board Meetings:

The Board of Trustees currently meets on a monthly basis for regular meetings.  These meetings are typically scheduled beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the division’s central office located at 5310 – 49 Street, Barrhead, Alberta.  Meeting dates, times and locations are set by the Board of Trustees at its annual Organizational Meeting.

Board Committees:

Trustees sit on a range of internal, external and community committees as outlined in Policy 08 Appendix A Committee List.

Compensation:

Trustees receive a monthly stipend to recognize their time in preparing for meetings and interacting with constituents.  Trustees are also paid a daily honorarium to attend meetings and conferences.  For more information, see Rates Annex 4 Travel, Expenses and Honorarium and P07-10 – Trustee Compensation, Memberships & Conference Attendance

Election Guides:

• Alberta School Boards Association – Guide for School Board Trustees
• Alberta Education School Boards Elections Guide

Election Legislation:

• Alberta Local Authorities Elections Act

Election Forms:

• Form 4: Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance (prepopulated where appropriate)
• Form 29: Notice of Intent (optional form, submitted prior to Form 4 if applicable)
• All Election Forms

• Nominations open – January 1, 2025 
  • Nominations will be accepted in-person at The Pembina Hills School Division central office, at 5310-49 Street, Barrhead, Alberta between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.   All nominations will be acknowledged, pending formal acceptance and selected candidate information will be posted to this webpage.
• Nominations close – 12:00 p.m. September 22, 2025
• Election day – October 20, 2025

Summary of eligibility criteria coming soon!

Electoral Wards for Pembina Hills School Division were established in Bylaw 06-2020 Electoral Wards and are available by viewing this map.

As nominations are received, a summary of candidate information will be posted here.