Secondary PowerPoint 4: School Boards and School Board Members

If you could change anything about your school, what would it be? Who would you contact about making that change possible?

School Boards School boards are the institutions responsible for providing education to students in their regions. There are eight publicly funded school boards in Nova Scotia: seven English regional school boards and one French school board that covers the whole province.

School Boards in Nova Scotia

The Role of a School Board Overseeing and evaluating student achievement Communicating with members of the community Approving textbooks, tools and learning materials Developing rules for safety and behaviour Determining the number, size and location of schools Approving an annual budget

School Board Members School board members provide a link between local communities and the school board, bringing the issues and concerns of their communities to board discussions and decisions. School board members have no individual authority; the board makes decisions as a whole.

School Board Members Elections School board members are elected every four years during municipal elections. Each school board establishes smaller areas called electoral districts in which district members are elected to represent. Board chairs are chosen from and by school board members through a vote at the first board meeting after the election.

CSAP school board members The Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) elects members from across the province. They are elected by voters who speak French, received education in French, or are the parent of a student in a French first language program.

African Nova Scotian representatives Something unique about Nova Scotia is that each school board also elects one African Nova Scotian representative. They are elected by African Nova Scotian voters (individuals who identify as African Nova Scotian or Black Nova Scotian) living in the jurisdiction of the board.

Mi’kmaq or First Nations members Boards may also include representatives from the Mi’kmaq or First Nations community. These representatives are appointed after the election by the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development following consultation with the Mi’kmaq or First Nations community and the school board.

Why is it important for school boards to include representatives from specific backgrounds and communities?

Voter Eligibility In order to vote in the school board elections, you must meet the same criteria as for the municipal elections. 18 years of age on or before the first advance polling day; A Canadian citizen; Lived in Nova Scotia for at least six months prior to the advance polling day; Have lived in the municipality since the first advance polling day.

CSAP Members – Voter Eligibility In addition to the basic requirements, to vote for a candidate for CSAP school board member, an individual must meet one of the following requirements: Your first language learned and still understood is French; You received Canadian primary school instruction in a French first-language program; You are the parent of a child who is receiving French first language education.

African Nova Scotian Representatives – Voter Eligibility To vote for a candidate for the African Nova Scotian school board member an individual must meet the general eligibility and one of the following requirements: Identify as an African Nova Scotian or a person of African descent. Be the parent of an African Nova Scotian.

Voter Choice Even if you are eligible to vote for more than one school board member type, you can only choose one position. District member of the regional school board African Nova Scotian school board member Conseil scolaire acadien provincial members

Final Thoughts What qualities and skills should you look for in a school board member? What experience should they have? How can you evaluate the school board member candidates? Which school board member type will you be voting for?