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Role of a Trustee

Trustees contribute to the Board in achieving its core purpose, priorities, values, vision and mission.

The School Board's role is to ensure the best possible education for students and shaping the future of our community. The Board works diligently and faithfully in the cause of public education and in ensuring each student in Red Deer Public Schools sees success.

Trustees engage with the community in matters related to education. They serve as a liaison to schools and may attend School Council meetings and extra-curricular school activities as a Board's representation upon invitation, when possible.

Trustees are responsible for:

  • shaping Division policies and procedures
  • exercising his/her fiduciary responsibility to the Division
  • acting in the best interests of the Division
  • understanding that Division needs are paramount
  • adhering to the Trustee Code of Conduct hiring of the Superintendent, admin and principals.

Trustees strive to develop a positive and respectful learning and working culture within the Board and Division as well as the broader community.

Trustees attend Board meetings, and committee meetings as assigned. They also participate in development sessions and share the materials and ideas gained with fellow trustees to help enhance the quality of leadership and service in the Division and at the provincial level.

Trustees refer administrative matters to the Superintendent and keep the Superintendent and Board informed in a timely manner of matters that may affect the Division .

A trustee acting individually has only the authority and status of any other citizen of the Division . Individual trustees do not have the authority to direct the Division's administration and staff. 

Our Vision

A culture of respect, inclusion, caring and excellence, where every student succeeds.

Our Mission

Striving for excellence by inspiring learning and nurturing hope in every student.

The seven elected Trustees work to ensure that Red Deer Public remains the school Division 'where every student succeeds’. School Board Trustees are politicians who are elected by and accountable to our community – they are the voice of our community. School Boards have the authority to make strategic decisions regarding public education in their jurisdiction. School Boards help shape the future of local communities by governing the education of young people. Trustees are elected every four years, and are entrusted with the care and education of children, and are accountable to parents and the larger community.


School Board Responsibilities:

Under the School Act, Trustees:

  • Govern- Through policy, the Board:
    • sets goals and priorities for the Division that meet the needs of students and achieve the expectations of Alberta Education
    • adopts an annual budget that achieves division priorities
    • establishes and enforces policies that outline standards and expectations regarding the actions of administration, teachers and students
    • adjudicates policy or decision appeals
    • hires and evaluates the Superintendent of Schools.


  • Advocate– On behalf of and through School Councils, the Board advocates:
    • municipal and provincial governments on education issues of importance to the division
    • The Board of Trustees makes an impact at the provincial level, though Trustee executive roles on  ASBA, Alberta School Boards Insurance Exchange (ASBIE), and other organizations.


  • Promote– The Board promotes the value of public education through:
    • MLAs, through the Alberta School Boards Association, through School Councils, and through the community
    • In Red Deer Public, this includes all levels of learning, our Division priorities, which includes Literacy and Numeracy, Equity and Student Success and Completion as well as our mission and values
    • The Board communicates, informs and involves parents, staff and the larger community in School Board decisions, activities and achievements
    • The Board is accountable to parents and community members and reflects the values and priorities of community stakeholders in the decisions reached by the Board of Education as a whole.


Want to learn more about Trusteeship?

  • Visit Alberta School Boards Association at http://www.asba.ab.ca/ for information and resources pertaining to Trusteeship and why the role is important to Alberta families and communities.
  • View the ASBA Trustee Perspectives video https://vimeo.com/265069422
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