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Background

TIMELINES AND MILESTONES

   DATE

EVENT

   January 2013

Edmonton Public Schools formed the District’s Student Advisory Council.

   November 2014

At a public Board meeting, Edmonton Public Schools made history by announcing its first ever Student Trustee as part of the Student Trustee pilot project.

   June 2015 The Board of Trustees asked the District Legacy Course students to propose a governance model that builds on the concept of an elected Student Trustee and established a system-wide engagement process for students to have a voice in public education.
   April 2016 The Board of Trustees unanimously supported the creation of a Student Senate, as presented by student leaders in the District Legacy Course.‌
   September 2016 The inaugural Student Senate meetings are held, and three Student Trustees are elected by Senators.

2014 PILOT PROJECT

On November 25, 2014, Edmonton Public Schools made history by announcing its first ever student trustee. This was the first time in Alberta a student trustee was part of a school board. 

The student trustee was a pilot project of the Board of Trustees and aimed to:

  • support communication between District students and the Board
  • increase student engagement in Board policy and planning
  • educate students about democratic governance

High schools ran a nomination process to select one candidate per school and the District’s Student Advisory Council cast their ballots for the student trustee. The result of the vote was revealed by Board Chair Sarah Hoffman.

Johannah Ko, a Grade 12 student at Edmonton Christian High School, was elected by a group of her peers to serve on the Board for the 2014-15 school year. Johannah attended board meetings, special events and professional learning opportunities.