First Nations representatives could be appointed to school boards

The province has added a provision into the Education Act that allows appointment — rather than election — of school board trustees from select communities, which would include First Nations. Jacquie Hansen, with the Alberta School Boards Association, said the new provisions outlined in the act, would likely be first utilized by certain rural school boards in the province that have agreements in place with multiple First Nations. Appointed First Nations trustees are given full voting power but can only make up one-third of any Alberta school board, with the other positions being filled through general elections. The new Education Act passed on Nov. 20.