School Board Elections Information

Candidate Information

Are you thinking of becoming a school board member? It’s one of the most rewarding ways to contribute to your community.

Qualifications

In order to run for school board, including African Nova Scotian members of the regional school board, and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial, or CSAP, you must:

• Be 18 years of age at the time of nomination
• Be a Canadian citizen
• Be a resident in the school region in which you are seeking office for six months prior to the nomination day (by March 13, 2016), and continue to so reside
• Not have been disqualified under the Municipal Elections Act.

The “school region” is the area over which a regional school board exercises jurisdiction. The jurisdiction (school region) of CSAP is the entire province.

An "electoral district" refers to the district from which each board member is elected. For example, in the Strait Regional School Board there are 10 electoral districts. School board electoral districts do not always line up with municipal polling districts. Please check with your municipal office for specific information on your electoral district.

You do not need to reside in the particular electoral district of the school board in which you wish to seek election, as long as you meet the residency requirement of six months in the school region.

Nomination day is September 13, 2016!  Nominations can also be filed September 6-12 (excluding weekends and holiday) from 9 am – 5 pm - by appointment.  Given the number of candidates that will be possibly filing papers, we are strongly advising that potential candidates set up an appointment for filing their papers.

African Nova Scotian Representation

Each regional school board in Nova Scotia has an African Nova Scotian representative (Education Act s.42A) elected to the board by African Nova Scotian electors (an African Nova Scotian or the parent of an African Nova Scotian) in the candidate’s district.

Francophone Representation

Candidates of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) must be an entitled person as defined in the Education Act. This includes an individual:

• whose first language learned and still understood is French;
• who received Canadian primary school instruction in a French first-language program;
• who is the parent of a child who is receiving/received Canadian primary or secondary school instruction in a French first language program.

Mi’kmaq Representation

The membership for a regional school board may include an appointed Mi’kmaq representative. Representatives are appointed by the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development following consultation with the Mi’kmaq community and the school board.

School boards in Canada have helped build a universally accessible, publicly-funded education system. They are the body through which parents and community can most directly influence decisions about schools and the education of children and youth.

Some considerations:

• Attend a school board meeting to see how they conduct business, and hear some of their discussions.
• Learn about the role of a school board member.
• Attend a candidate school in your area.
• Take note of the deadlines and special dates to keep in mind.

Individuals who run for school board office have the potential to contribute a unique set of skills, values and experience to the school board. Critical questions for potential board members to ask themselves include:

• Do I have a sincere interest in public education?
• Do I want to make a difference in the lives of children and young people?
• Do I respect concerns of families and the community?
• Do I appreciate the need for effective communication?
• Am I prepared to commit the significant time required to research issues and prepare for and attend meetings?
• Am I a team player?
• Do I demonstrate an interest in providing leadership?

Click here for SSRSB - School Board Member District Map

For more information please visit - http://www.schoolboardelections.ca/