second language programming, as well as German, Ukrainian, and Anishinaabe (Ojibway) immersion programs. THE ROLE OF SCHOOL BOARDS AND TRUSTEES IN MANITOBA’S EDUCATION SYSTEM Every four years, communities across Manitoba elect 297 trustees to exercise their local voice. School board trustees in Manitoba are responsible for overall governance of an education system focused on student and community success. Collectively, school boards oversee annual public investment of approximately CAN$3.2 billion for the delivery of quality programming, supports and services to the province’s 195,000 public school students, by over 34,000 school staff. “Our school boards reflect the content and character of each community, while also maintaining an eye upon the future” said Sandy Nemeth, president of the Association. “Through the budgets we set, the consultations that we hold, and the big picture governance we provide, our superintendents and their staff translate our plans into action and in this way, we achieve healthy balance between local voices and local choices for the success of our students.” Manitoba remains the only Canadian province where school boards retain local taxation power to fund public education, with nearly 20 cents on every dollar invested in the school system coming from residential, commercial and agricultural property levies. Sandy Nemeth is unequivocal as to the reason why Manitoba has remained Canada’s lone ranger in this respect. “Public investment in public education is critical to ensuring our schools have the resources needed to prepare our students for lifelong learning, meaningful careers and entry to the workforce– and every person and every sector in our community receives benefits through the outcomes of our system.” Association executive director Josh Watt added “we are particularly proud of the fact that 98 percent of all funds raised for our schools go directly into classroom and school-related operations, with the remaining 1.5 percent ear-marked to pay our qualified senior administrators and the last half cent on every dollar supporting our democracy through the work of locally elected school boards in Manitoba.” “School boards remain firm in their efforts to promote fairness and sustainability for all rate-payers, promoting Manitoba as a welcome destination for business investment by offering quality public education services, as well as an affordable cost of living for all who live here when compared to many other major urban centers in Canada and across North America,” Watt concluded. A decade ago, nearly 40 cents on every dollar in 367 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 02 MANITOBA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION
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