Alberta School Boards Association
Advocating for Excellence
A Closer Look at Alberta School Boards Association and its Member School Boards
In the heart of the Canadian province of Alberta lies a vibrant educational landscape shaped by 61 dedicated locally-elected public, catholic and francophone school boards.
The role of school boards and trustees in Alberta’s education system
In Alberta, each school board is charged with the responsibility to govern the affairs of the school authority under the Education Act. Each board is generally comprised of between 5-10 individual trustees who are elected by, and accountable to, the communities they serve.
Collectively, they are responsible for over $7 billion of public funds and represent over 700,000 students in rural, urban and metro communities. Alberta’s education system consistently ranks among the top internationally. Recognizing that Albertans, as taxpayers, have a vested interest in having a high-quality education system, boards advocate to prioritize education and address the growing and complex needs of students.
Each board is a member of Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) – a province-wide association supporting and building the capacity of its members, including advice and training in leadership, professional development, governance and advocacy.
ASBA provides a balanced viewpoint and advocates on behalf of members to government. The result is unparalleled diversity and choice for Alberta families. It’s something ASBA has been doing for 117 years.
Empowering members: ASBA’s commitment to excellence in educational governance
Founded in 1907, ASBA’s vision is to empower exceptional governance through a member-driven 2023-2026 Strategic Plan that guide’s ASBA’s work.
“Alberta School Boards Association positions locally-elected school boards as the leaders on educational matters,” said Marilyn Dennis, President of ASBA. “Through the execution of our Strategic Plan, we strengthen members’ ability to govern, elevate the value and expertise of ASBA and members, and impact all decisions related to education.”
Driving the Strategic Plan, and overseeing the business and affairs of the Association, are 13 trustee Board of Directors. Appointed by members, they are ambassadors for ASBA, trusteeship and public education. At the helm of the Association since 2018 is Dr. Vivian Abboud, serving as Chief Executive Officer, implementing the Strategic Plan while positioning ASBA as a strategic and influential organization.
One of the key strengths of ASBA’s Board of Directors lies in its diversity of perspectives and experiences. Representing members across different regions, demographics, and educational priorities, each Director brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the table. This diversity ensures that ASBA’s advocacy decisions made at the provincial level are informed by the local realities of members.
Advocacy is a critical component of ASBA’s work, with far-reaching impacts across local, provincial and federal levels. Fostering positive relationships with government through engagement and cross-collaboration, ASBA’s efforts are focused on the creation of tools and supports to empower members in engaging with government – being mindful of local context – ensuring ongoing effective government relations.
Initiatives include MLA Breakfasts to provide an opportunity to connect directly with government, advocacy sessions featuring a panel of experts to build collective knowledge and understanding, and ministerial engagements which ensure the voice of members is heard and reflected in all emerging education priorities.
Additionally, high-quality professional learning and development is delivered both in-person and virtually for all members, providing a range of modalities to learn about timely and relevant topics.
Driving community voice and innovation: Recognizing the contributions of boards
ASBA members play a crucial role in fostering rich programs, innovative approaches and diverse offerings within Alberta’s schools, preparing students for success in an increasingly competitive global environment. Members curate diverse educational experiences, from STEM initiatives and arts programs to career-focused pathways and extracurricular activities.
Recognizing the importance of staying ahead of the curve, ASBA and its members are pushing forward innovation. In April of 2024, ASBA established its Innovation and Artificial Intelligence (IAI) Committee – a strategic initiative aimed at creating guidance and learning on AI and emerging technologies for members as governors of the system. This Committee is made up of ASBA Directors and member trustees.
Through the work of its IAI Committee, ASBA reaffirms its commitment to proactive governance and innovation in education.
“The establishment of the Innovation and Artificial Intelligence Committee marks a significant step forward in our efforts to ensure that ASBA’s locally-elected member school boards are equipped to proactively respond to recent technological advancement,” said President Dennis. “We look forward to exploring the potential of Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies to drive educational innovation across the province.”
The IAI Committee will explore leveraging Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies to enhance education, policies to govern its ethical, inclusive, and equitable use, and ways that students can be prepared to live and work in an AI future.
Operating as an advisory body, the IAI Committee will provide recommendations to the ASBA Board of Directors on a range of topics including learning, policy, partnerships and legislation related to technology, innovation and AI in education.
Embracing the future
The collective efforts of ASBA and its members contribute significantly to advancing educational governance where every student in Alberta has the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of circumstance.
Alberta’s locally-elected public, catholic and francophone school boards and their individual trustees are dedicated visionaries, instrumental in shaping the future of the province by nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators.
As Alberta continues to evolve and embrace new challenges, ASBA and its members remain beacons of innovation and progress, driving positive change for generations to come.
Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) serves Alberta’s 61 locally elected public, catholic and francophone school boards, and the four public and catholic boards from Yellowknife and Lloydminster. For more information visit: asba.ab.ca
AT A GLANCE
Alberta School Boards Association
What: The leading association representing the vibrant school boards across the Province of Alberta
Where: Edmonton, Alberta
Website: https://www.asba.ab.ca/
