Nominations open for trustee candidates

The time is fast approaching for the residents of Rocky View Schools jurisdiction to decide who will shape and direct local education for the next three years. Elections for school trustees will take place Oct. 18.

Having strong candidates in the upcoming election is critical because school boards make decisions about how education is delivered locally.

School board policies directly impact the development of children and affect community interests.

“Being a trustee is about more than just sitting in a boardroom approving policies and making motions,” said Sylvia Eggerer, chair of the board of trustees. “The education system is very complex; one will have a steep learning curve to understand the intricacy of how boards and different levels of government collaborate to make it work. For those wanting to make a difference in their community, however, serving as a public school board trustee is the perfect opportunity.”

On Oct. 18, voters will elect seven trustees to represent six wards.

Based on a ward boundary review, conducted in January, voters from the City of Airdrie will be electing two trustees-at-large. A change from the previous election where one trustee represented residents west of Highway 2 and another represented residents on the east side of the city.

Residents unsure of their ward’s physical demographics can find a ward boundary map on RVS’ website under “Become a school board trustee.”

Eggerer said residents interested in running for the board of trustees with Rocky View Schools can obtain a candidate package online at www.rockyview.ab.ca, or pick up a print copy at either the Rocky View Schools’ Education Centre at 2651 Chinook Winds Drive SW in Airdrie, or any municipal office in Rocky View.

Completed packages must be returned to the Education Centre on Sept. 20, between 10 a.m. and noon.

Each candidate requires five signatures on his or her nomination papers to be considered.

Rocky View Schools is the fifth largest jurisdiction in the province, shaped like a horseshoe around the west, north and east sides of Calgary.

Some communities within the six wards include Airdrie, Bearspaw, Beiseker, Bragg Creek, Chestermere, Cochrane, Crossfield, Indus, Kathyrn, Langdon and Springbank.

Rocky View maintains 40 school sites, serves more than 17,000 students, and employs more than 2,000 teaching and support staff.