Board Responsibilities
As the elected body, the Board of Trustees shall provide overall direction and leadership to The Foothills School Division. The Board will provide fiduciary oversight, community engagement and insight as well as visionary foresight reflective of the values of the community it serves. It is accountable for and will assure the electorate that the provision of appropriate educational services and programs to students within the Division are in alignment with the Education Act and other associated provincial regulations and requirements.
The role of the trustee is to maintain a focus on improving the growth, achievement, and well-being of all learners; to support the creation, maintenance, and promotion of welcoming, safe, caring, inclusive and respectful learning environments; and, to participate in decision making that benefits the entire school division all while building public trust. As the representatives in their local jurisdiction, trustees listen to the concerns and needs of their communities, bring them to the attention of the board, and ensure that programs and strategies of the board help all students. Trustees establish the division’s strategic direction, are financial stewards, comprise the corporate board, and are community leaders. As the Board of Trustees is a corporation, individual trustees do not hold individual authority. It is through the process of collaborating and engaging in joint decision-making that trustees fulfil their corporate role. A clear understanding of an individual trustee’s role and responsibilities is fundamental to good governance1.
Learn more about the Board of Trustee's work through the Trustee Guide to Good Governance.
Student Learning
The Board will be accountable to the community by addressing student programming needs consistent with Policy 1 - to put education at the centre of a flourishing community.
Evidence of Governance:
Fiscal Accountability
The Board will fulfill their oversight responsibilities for the financial reporting process, the system of internal control over financial reporting, the audit process, and monitor the Division’s compliance with laws and regulations pertaining to the financial operations.
Evidence of Governance:
Advocacy
The Board will engage constituents, elected officials of the Towns and County, MLAs, the Minister of Education and the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA), advocating in the best interest of Foothills School Division.
Evidence of Governance:
Board and Superintendent Relationship
The Board will support a collaborative professional relationship between the Board and the Superintendent to ensure that Foothills School Division achieves its Vision and Mission.
Evidence of Governance:
Board Development and Professional Learning
The Board will collectively engage in guiding Board of Trustee Professional Learning to maintain and enhance knowledge and skills of effective governance principles and to apply this learning to meet the vision and mission of Foothills School Division.
Evidence of Governance:
1 Adapted from https://modules.ontarioschooltrustees.org/Module s/03-Roles-and-responsibilities.aspx
