By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Province giving every school council $500

Aug 20, 2021 | 7:41 AM

The Alberta government is giving every school council in the province $500.

This is part of an effort, a release says, to provide more than $1 million directly to school councils so that they can support better collaboration between schools and parents.

What’s called the Alberta School Council Engagement Grant, the government says, is designed to create more school events that involve parents and develop a broader range of tools to communicate with them.

“Through this grant, Alberta’s government is putting dollars directly into the hands of parents on local school councils so they can fulfil their legislated responsibility, build capacity, and strengthen engagement and the parental voice in their schools,” says Education Minister Adriana LaGrange.

Brandi Rai, president, Alberta School Councils’ Association, says the ASCA is pleased with the opportunity to enhance capacity.

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“(This will allow councils) to meaningfully engage their school communities in support of student learning, without sacrificing funds raised for other projects,” she says. “This helps take the pressure off parents, fundraising associations, schools, and school divisions to find funds to help school councils fulfil their legislated advisory roles.”

Under Section 55 of the Education Act, each school operated by a board is required to establish a school council.

A council’s responsibilities include providing advice to the school on foundation statements regarding the school’s vision and beliefs, as well as on policies, an annual education plan and annual results, and a budget.

There are approximately 2,000 school councils in the province.