The School Board Elections - Why Your Vote Matters More Than You Think

April 10 2025

When was the last time you thought about your local school board trustee? For most Albertans, the answer is probably never. Yet these elected officials wield significant influence over our children's education, from curriculum implementation to school policies. What's more shocking is that in 2021, more than half of these powerful positions - 54% to be exact - were filled without a single vote being cast. This democratic vacuum isn't just concerning; it's an opportunity for engaged citizens to create meaningful change.

Let those numbers sink in: In the last election cycle, 198 out of 365 school board positions across Alberta were filled by acclamation. This means that in most communities, individuals gained significant control over educational decisions simply because no one else stepped forward to run. This isn't how democracy is supposed to work, especially when it comes to something as vital as our children's education.

But here's where it gets interesting - and where hope lies. When school board positions are actually contested, the margins of victory are often surprisingly small. In Battle River School Division, a trustee position was decided by just 20 votes. In Fort Vermilion School Division, the margin was 31 votes. These aren't outliers; they're examples of how a small group of engaged citizens can dramatically impact their local education system.

The power of incumbency in these elections is staggering. In 2021, sitting trustees won 88.8% of their races. This isn't necessarily because they were the best candidates - it's often because most parents don't even know an election is happening. Of 134 incumbent candidates who ran, 119 retained their positions. Meanwhile, only 41.4% of new candidates succeeded in their campaigns.

These statistics tell us something crucial: The system isn't broken because it's too big to influence - it's broken because too few people are participating. This is actually good news, because it means that organized groups of parents and concerned citizens can make a real difference.

Consider this: In many school board races, turning out just 100 additional voters could completely change the outcome. That's one parent talking to their neighbors. That's one community group mobilizing its members. That's one passionate citizen organizing a local meeting to discuss educational issues.

The impact of these elections extends far beyond administrative decisions. School boards shape:

How curriculum is implemented in your local schools

Policies affecting your children's daily school experience

Resource allocation and budgeting decisions

Responses to parental concerns and community needs

The overall direction and values of local education

The current situation presents both a challenge and an unprecedented opportunity. While the high acclamation rates and incumbent advantage might seem discouraging, they actually reveal just how much potential there is for change. When so few votes can make such a big difference, organized Albertans have an outsized opportunity to influence the direction of their local schools.

The 2021 data also shows us that Catholic/separate school divisions had even higher acclamation rates than public divisions - 29.17% compared to 18.60%. Both urban and rural areas faced significant challenges in recruiting candidates and engaging voters. This isn't just a rural problem or an urban problem - it's a participation problem that affects all of Alberta.

The solution starts with awareness, but it can't end there.

This isn't just about complaining about the current system - it's about tangibling changing something in your community.

These elections are even at times decided by dozens, not thousands, of votes. Quite literally, you could be the person that decides whether or not you have a representative that will stand with parents.

The time to act is now. We can't wait until 2029 to make a difference.

Ready to make a difference? Here's how you can start.