Education Act

EDUCATION ACT Chapter E‑0.3 Table of Contents 1 Interpretation 2 Limitations Part 1 Access to Education 3 Right of access to education 3.1 Right to education during emergencies 3.2 Parental notification and consent during emergencies 4 Resident student 4.1 Residence 6 Independent student 7 Compulsory education 8 Enforcing school attendance 9 Attendance at school 10 Enrolment in school operated by board 11 Responsibility to students 11.1 Regulations and orders 12 International students 13 Tuition fees 14 Francophone education 15 Enrolment in Francophone school Part 2 Opportunities for Learning Division 1 Diverse and Flexible Learning 16 Diversity and respect 17 Language of instruction 18 Courses, programs of study, etc. 18.1 Learning and teaching resources re gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality 19 Alternative programs 20 Home education programs 21 Early childhood services programs 22 Off‑campus education programs 23 Continuing education Division 2 Charter Schools 24 Application to establish charter school 25 Charter schools 26 Operation of charter schools 27 Application of Act to charter schools 28 Regulations Division 3 Independent Schools 28.1 Recognition of independent schools 29 Independent schools 30 Application of Act to independent schools Part 3 Responsibilities and Dispute Resolution Division 1 Responsibilities 31 Student responsibilities 32 Parent responsibilities 33 Board responsibilities 33.1 Exemption from section 33 33.2 Responsibilities re parental notification and consent for preferred name and pronouns 34 Trustee responsibilities Division 2 Bullying Awareness and Non‑discrimination 35 Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week 35.1 Support for student organizations Division 3 Student Discipline 36 Suspension 37 Expulsion Division 4 Student Advisory Council 38 Student advisory council 39 Functions of student advisory council Division 5 Complex Education Needs Tribunal 40 Complex Education Needs Tribunal Division 6 Dispute Resolution 41 School dispute resolution 42 Appeal to board 43 Request for review by the Minister 44 Review by the Minister Division 7 Attendance Board 45 Establishment of Attendance Board 46 Referral to Attendance Board 47 Mediation by Attendance Board 48 Hearing before Attendance Board 49 Order of Attendance Board 50 Attendance Board panels Part 4 Board Powers and Elections Division 1 Board Powers 51 Natural person powers 52 Delegation of power 53 General powers and duties of boards 53.1 Joint use and planning agreements 54 Insurance and investment 55 School council 56 Student records 57 School fees 58 Religious and patriotic instruction or exercises 58.1 Notice to parent 58.11 Notice and consent re gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality instruction 58.12 Parental notification and consent policies 58.13 Declaration re Charter, Bill of Rights and Human Rights Act 58.2 Non‑compliance 59 Transportation 59.1 Transport by parent 60 School day and year 61 Flags 62 Closure of schools 63 Education services agreements for First Nations students Division 2 Board Procedures 64 Open meetings 65 Inspection of documents 66 Requests to provide information 67 Accountability of board 68 Secretary and treasurer 69 Regulations Division 3 Investigation and Inquiry 70 Investigation 72 Official trustee Division 4 Elections and Trustees 73 Procedure for elections, etc. 74 Eligibility 75 Oath of office 76 Establishment of wards 77 Board establishment 78 Number of trustees 79 Change of name 80 Resignations 81 Filling vacancies 82 Failure to elect trustee, etc. 83 Direction to official trustee to hold by‑election 84 Appointment of First Nations trustee Division 5 Conflict of Interest and Disqualification 85 Pecuniary interest 86 Disclosure of information 87 Disqualification of trustees 88 Disclosure of pecuniary interest 89 Effect of interest on contract 90 Resignation on disqualification 91 Refusal to resign on disqualification 92 Appeal of board’s resolution 93 Hearing of application 94 Dismissal of application for disqualification 95 Appeal of declaration of disqualification 96 Reimbursement Division 5.1 Recall Petitions 96.1 Interpretation 96.2 Application 96.3 Notice of recall petition 96.4 Recall petition time and sufficiency 96.5 Eligibility to sign a recall petition 96.6 Number of petitioners 96.7 Other requirements for a recall petition 96.8 Counting petitioners 96.9 Report on sufficiency of recall petition 96.91 Insufficient recall petition 96.92 Sufficient recall petition 96.93 Required return of recall petition and destruction of copies 96.94 Protection of personal information in petitions 96.95 Recall process regulations Recall Petition Finances and Advertising 96.96 Regulations — recall petition finances and advertising Part 5 Structure of School Authorities Division 1 Creation of Public School Districts 97 Establishment of public school district Division 2 Establishment and Disestablishment of Separate School Districts 98 Definitions 99 Right to establish separate school district 100 Intention to establish 101 Separate school establishment area 102 Petition for establishment 103 Community information meeting 104 Vote respecting establishment 105 Minimum requirements for binding vote 106 Notification to Minister, electors, etc. 107 Establishment of district 108 Effect of establishment 109 Vote against establishment 110 Disestablishment of separate school district Division 3 Creation, Alteration and Dissolution of School Divisions 112 Establishment of school division 113 Effect of establishment 114 Addition and removal of land 115 Effect of town or village 116 Alteration of name 117 Dissolution by Minister 117.1 Appointment of trustees 118 Adjustment of assets and liabilities 119 Transfer of teachers 120 Publication of order 121 Boundaries 122 Restriction re alteration of boundaries Division 4 Establishment of Separate School Regions 123 Establishment of separate school region Division 5 Establishment and Dissolution of Francophone Education Regions 124 Definitions 125 Application 126 Establishment of Francophone education region 127 Effect of establishment 128 Minority in Francophone education region 129 Composite Francophone regional authority 130 Designation of schools 131 Public and separate Francophone regional authorities 132 Appointment of trustees on establishment 133 Agreements with school divisions 134 Responsibility and authority of Francophone regional authority 135 Eligibility 136 Dissolution of Francophone regional authority Part 6 Finance and Property Division 1 Finance 137 Definition 138 Auditor 139 Financial reporting to the Minister 140 Contents of financial statements and authority to disclose personal information 141 Auditor’s report 142 Audit committee 143 Application of funds Division 2 Assessment of Property 144 Definition 145 Assessment 146 Property owned by individuals 146.1 List of separate school district residents 147 Notice of assessability by an individual 148 Notice of assessability by corporation or cooperative 149 Notice on acquisition 150 Examination of notice 151 Evidence 152 Effect of notice 153 Assessment of corporation 154 Equalized assessment 155 Statement to boards by municipality 156 Copy of assessment roll 157 False statement re assessment 158 Offence Division 3 Requisitions 159 Definition 160 Calculation of requisition by board 161 Submission of requisition 162 Payment by council of a municipality 163 Interest Division 4 Alberta School Foundation Fund 164 Application of this Division 165 Alberta School Foundation Fund 166 Taxing authority 167 Payment into the Fund 168 Default 169 Payment from the Fund 170 Collecting boards 171 Effect of cessation of services Division 5 Special School Tax Levy 172 Plebiscite 173 Conduct of plebiscite 174 Special school tax levy 175 Assessment and requisition Division 6 Levying and Collection of Taxes by a Board 176 Definition 177 Authorization to levy and collect taxes 178 Collecting board 179 Exemption Division 7 Borrowing 180 Borrowing 181 Borrowing by debenture 182 Validity of debentures 183 Use of unexpended debenture proceeds 184 Improper application of money borrowed 185 Liability of trustees 186 Enforcement of liability of trustees Division 8 Property 186.1 Interpretation 187 Real and personal property 187.1 Transfer of new school real property 188 Acquisition of property 189 Joint property 190 Non‑school buildings 191 Expropriation 192 Disposition of property 193 Leasing of property 194 Regulations 195 School building and non‑school building projects Part 7 Education Professions and Occupations Division 1 Responsibilities 195.1 Registrar 196 Teachers 197 Principals Division 2 Teachers 198 Qualifications re employment 199 Qualifications re supervisory position 200 Agreements 201 Regulations 202 Principals designated 203 Acting principal 204 Administrative, supervisory and consultative positions 205 Contracts of employment 206 Probationary contract 207 Continuing contract 208 Substitute teachers 209 Temporary contract 210 Interim contract 211 Part‑time contract 212 Transfer of teacher 213 Suspension of teacher 214 Termination of contract 214.1 Termination of designation as principal 215 Termination by board 216 Termination by teacher 217 Notice of termination 219 Termination of designation 220 Salaries 221 Unqualified teachers Division 3 Non‑teaching Employees 222 Superintendent of schools 223 Contract of employment 224 Regulations 225 Other non‑teaching employees Division 3.1 Discipline of Teachers and Teacher Leaders 225.1 Definitions 225.2 Application of Division 225.3 Professional incompetence 225.4 Unprofessional conduct 225.5 Code of professional conduct Alberta Teaching Profession Commissioner 225.6 Alberta Teaching Profession Commissioner 225.7 Annual report Panel and Committees 225.8 Professional conduct and competency general panel 225.9 Committees Complaints and Investigations 225.91 Complaints 225.911 Delegation of complainant powers 225.92 Termination of contract as complaint 225.93 Limitations on complaints 225.94 Commissioner’s actions respecting complaint 225.95 Appeal by complainant 225.96 Investigations 225.97 Commissioner’s actions after investigation Expedited Process for Cancellation of Certificates 225.98 Where report confirms conviction for prescribed offence 225.99 Automatic suspension 225.991 Powers of Minister where report confirms conviction Mediation, Dispute Resolution and Consent Resolution Agreements 225.992 Mediation process 225.993 Dispute resolution process 225.9931 Disclosure to other administrators 225.994 Consent resolution agreement Hearings 225.995 Notice of hearing 225.996 Proceedings at hearing 225.997 Compellable witnesses 225.998 Civil contempt proceedings 225.999 Proceedings in absence of teacher or teacher leader 225.9991 Findings of hearing committee 225.9992 Recommendations and decision of hearing committee Appeals 225.9993 Appeals 225.9994 Notice of appeal hearing 225.9995 Proceedings at appeal hearing 225.9996 Decision of appeal committee Minister’s Decision 225.9997 Minister’s decision with respect to committees Online Registry 225.9998 Online registry 225.9999 Publication in online registry – certificates 225.99991 Publication in online registry – professional incompetence and unprofessional conduct 225.99992 Restrictions on publication in online registry Duty to Report 225.99993 Duty to report complaint 225.99994 Duty to report to police 225.99995 Regulations Division 4 General 225.99998 Judicial review 226 Medical examination 227 Labour relations 228 Trustees 229 Employee contracts 229.1 Criminal record and vulnerable sector checks Division 5 Board of Reference 230 Board of Reference 231 Appeal 232 Notice of appeal 233 Appeal referred to Board of Reference 234 Investigation 235 Hearing 236 Appeal from suspension 237 Order of Board of Reference 238 Irregularities in notice of appeal 239 Costs 240 Deposit 241 Enforcement of order 242 Appeal to Court of Appeal Part 8 General 243 Delegation of Minister’s powers 244 Forms 245 Labour Relations Code 246 Alteration of time limits 247 Petition 248 Notice of public meeting 249 Public notice 250 Regulations 251 Protection from liability for trustees, employees, members and volunteers 252 Protection from liability for others 253 Enforcement of judgment 254 Enforcement by Court 255 Return of property on ceasing to hold office 256 Prohibited activities 257 Liability for damage to property by student 258 Penalty 259 Penalty for failure to give information Part 9 Transitional Provisions, Consequential Amendments, Repeals and Coming into Force Transitional Provisions 260 Transitional provisions 260.1 Transitional regulation‑making powers 260.2 Consequential changes to regulations 260.21 Transitional provision — private schools 260.22 Transitional provision — disqualifications for breaches of codes of conduct 260.23 Consequential changes to regulations — private schools Consequential Amendments 261‑288 Consequential amendments Repeals 289 Repeals Coming into Force 290 Coming into force Preamble WHEREAS the following visions, principles and values are the foundation of the education system in Alberta; WHEREAS education is the foundation of a democratic and civil society; WHEREAS education inspires students to discover and pursue their aspirations and interests and cultivates a love of learning and the desire to be lifelong learners; WHEREAS the role of education is to develop engaged thinkers who think critically and creatively and ethical citizens who demonstrate respect, teamwork and democratic ideals and who work with an entrepreneurial spirit to face challenges with resiliency, adaptability, risk‑taking and bold decision‑making; WHEREAS the education of children and students is important to Alberta’s prosperity and social well‑being; WHEREAS students are entitled to welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments that respect diversity and nurture a sense of belonging and a positive sense of self; WHEREAS education is a shared responsibility and requires collaboration, engagement and empowerment of all partners in the education system to ensure that all students achieve their potential; WHEREAS the educational best interest of the child is the paramount consideration in making decisions about a child’s education; WHEREAS parents have the right and the responsibility to make informed decisions respecting the education of their children; WHEREAS parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that may be provided to their children; WHEREAS the Government of Alberta recognizes the importance of an inclusive education system that provides each student with the relevant learning opportunities and supports necessary to achieve success; WHEREAS the Government of Alberta recognizes the importance of teaching essential knowledge to help students develop foundational competencies; WHEREAS the Government of Alberta recognizes the need to smooth the transition for students between secondary education and post-secondary education or entry into the workforce; WHEREAS the Government of Alberta recognizes the importance of enabling high quality and socially engaging learning opportunities with flexible timing and pacing through a range of learning environments to meet diverse student needs and to maximize student success; WHEREAS the Government of Alberta recognizes public schools, separate schools, Francophone schools, independent schools, charter schools, early childhood services programs and home education programs as being valued and integral in providing choice in education to students and parents; WHEREAS the Government of Alberta is committed to ensuring strong learning opportunities regardless of whether those opportunities are in-person, online or in a home education program; WHEREAS the Government of Alberta recognizes that in-person learning opportunities are important for students’ well being and success and is committed to preserving access to in-person learning; WHEREAS the Government of Alberta recognizes that students have a right to education; WHEREAS the Government of Alberta believes that in-person learning should be prioritized during an emergency and that shifts from in-person learning to at-home learning should be strictly limited; WHEREAS the Government of Alberta believes in and is committed to one publicly funded education system that provides a choice of educational opportunities to students and that honours the rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Canada in respect of minority language and minority denominational education through the dimensions of public, separate and Francophone schools; WHEREAS the Government of Alberta is committed to providing choice to students in education programs and methods of learning; and WHEREAS the Government of Alberta is committed to encouraging the collaboration of all partners in the education system to ensure the educational success of Alberta’s First Nations, Metis and Inuit students; THEREFORE HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, enacts as follows: Interpretation 1 (1) In this Act, (a) “at‑home learning” means teacher‑directed education programming provided by a board, a Francophone regional authority, an operator of a charter school or a person responsible for the operation of an independent school to a student on a temporary basis at the student’s residence or at a location other than the student’s regularly attended school; (a.1) “Attendance Board” means the Attendance Board established under section 45; (b) “attendance officer” means the superintendent or any other individual designated by a board as an attendance officer; (c) “board” means a board of trustees of a school division; (d) “bullying” means repeated and hostile or demeaning behaviour by an individual in the school community where the behaviour is intended to cause harm, fear or distress to one or more other individuals in the school community, including psychological harm or harm to an individual’s reputation; (e) “charter school” means a school established under section 25; (e.1) “Commissioner” means the Alberta Teaching Profession Commissioner appointed under section 225.6; (e.2) “Crown” means, unless the context indicates otherwise, His Majesty in right of Alberta; (f) “early childhood services program” means an education program provided pursuant to section 21; (g) “elector” means an elector as defined in the Local Authorities Election Act ; (h) “expel” means to expel a student in accordance with section 37; (i) “Francophone” means an individual who has rights under section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ; (j) “Francophone education program” means an education program offered by a Francophone regional authority that is intended for the children of Francophones, but does not include an alternative program established under section 19; (k) “Francophone education region” means a Francophone education region established under section 126; (l) “Francophone regional authority” means a composite Francophone regional authority established under section 129 or a public Francophone regional authority or separate Francophone regional authority established under section 131; (m) “home education program” means an education program provided pursuant to section 20; (m.1) “independent school” means a school registered under section 29; (n) “independent student” means a student who is (i) 18 years of age or older, or (ii) 16 years of age or older and (A) living independently as determined by a board in accordance with section 6, or (B) a party to an agreement under section 57.2 of the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act ; (n.1) “intimate image” means an intimate image as defined in the Protecting Victims of Non-consensual Distribution of Intimate Images Act ; (n.2) “joint use and planning agreement” means a joint use and planning agreement as defined in the Municipal Government Act ; (o) “Minister” means the Minister determined under section 16 of the Government Organization Act as the Minister responsible for this Act; (o.1) “municipal and school reserve” has the same meaning as in the Municipal Government Act ; (o.2) “municipal reserve” has the same meaning as in the Municipal Government Act ; (p) “municipality” means a municipality as defined in the Municipal Government Act ; (q) “non‑school building” means a building other than a school building owned or occupied, in whole or in part, by (i) a school jurisdiction, (ii) a school jurisdiction and a municipality, or (iii) a school jurisdiction and another person; (r) “parent”, unless otherwise specified, means, in respect of a student or a child enrolled in an early childhood services program, the relevant individual referred to in subsection (2); (s) “principal” means a teacher designated as a principal or acting principal under this Act; (t) repealed 2025 c6 s3; (u) “public school district” means an area of land established as a public school district pursuant to this Act or any predecessor Act or Ordinance; (v) “public school division” means a public school division established under section 112; (v.1) “Registrar” means the Registrar appointed under section 195.1; (w) “resident student” means an individual who is entitled to have access to an education program under section 3 and who is a resident student as determined under section 4; (x) “school” means a structured learning environment through which an education program is offered to a student by (i) a board, (ii) a person responsible for the operation of an independent school, (iii) either a society incorporated under the Societies Act , or a company registered under Part 9 of the Companies Act , that is responsible for the operation of a charter school, (iv) a person providing an early childhood services program, (v) a parent providing a home education program, or (vi) the Minister; (y) “school building” means a building used for the instruction or accommodation of students that is owned or occupied, in whole or in part, by (i) a school jurisdiction, (ii) a school jurisdiction and a municipality, or (iii) a school jurisdiction and another person; (z) “school building project” means (i) the purchase, erection, relocation or renovation of, (ii) the making of structural changes in, (iii) the addition to or extension of, or (iv) the building of access roads or site preparation for, a school building; (aa) “school council” means a school council established under section 55; (bb) “school division” means a school division established under section 112; (cc) “school jurisdiction” means a board, the Lloydminster Public School Division or the Lloydminster Roman Catholic Separate School District; (cc.1) “school reserve” has the same meaning as in the Municipal Government Act ; (dd) “separate school district” means an area of land established as a separate school district pursuant to this Act or any predecessor Act or Ordinance; (ee) “separate school division” means a separate school division established under section 112; (ff) “separate school region” means a separate school region established under section 123; (gg) “special school tax levy” means a tax that is authorized pursuant to Part 6, Division 5; (hh) “student” means a person who is (i) enrolled in a school, or (ii) required under section 7 to attend school, but does not include a child younger than 6 years of age who is enrolled in an early childhood services program; (ii) “superintendent” means a person appointed as a superintendent of schools under section 222; (jj) “suspend”, with respect to a student, means to suspend a student in accordance with section 36; (kk) “teacher” means an individual who holds a teaching certificate; (kk.1) “teaching certificate” means a teaching certificate as defined in the regulations made under section 201; (ll) “trustee” means a member of a board; (mm) “unorganized territory” means any area in Alberta that is not included within a public or separate school district or a school division. (1.1) Without limiting the generality of the definition of “bullying” in subsection (1)(d), bullying includes the distribution of an intimate image of another person knowing that the person depicted in the image did not consent to the distribution, or being reckless as to whether or not that person consented to the distribution. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(r), the parent is (a) subject to subsection (3), (i) the guardian as set out in section 20 of the Family Law Act , (ii) the guardian appointed under Part 1, Division 5 of the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act , if the guardian notifies the board in writing of the guardian’s appointment, or (iii) the guardian appointed under section 22 or 23 of the Family Law Act , if the guardian notifies the board in writing of the guardian’s appointment, (b) notwithstanding clause (a), the guardian of a student appointed under a temporary or permanent guardianship order under section 31 or 34 of the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act , a permanent guardianship agreement under section 11 of the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act or a private guardianship order under section 56 of the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act , if the guardian notifies the board in writing of the guardian’s appointment, or (c) notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b), the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, if the student is in custody under the Corrections Act , the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (Canada) or the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada). (3) The authority of a guardian to act under this Act is subject to any limitation imposed by law on the authority of the guardian, and where a person claims to be a parent or guardian or claims the existence of any limitation on the authority of a parent or guardian, the onus is on that person to provide proof of the claim. (4) For the purposes of this Act, (a) “resident of Alberta” means a person (i) who is lawfully entitled to be or to remain in Canada, and (ii) who is living and ordinarily present in Alberta, but does not include a tourist or visitor to Alberta; (b) “resident of Canada” means a person (i) who is lawfully entitled to be or to remain in Canada, and (ii) who is living and ordinarily present in Canada, but does not include a tourist or visitor to Canada. 2012 cE‑0.3 s1;2015 c6 s2;2017 cP‑26.9 s11;2019 c7 s3;2019 c22 s2; 2022 c7 s2;2022 c21 s19;2024 c14 s3;2025 c6 s3 Limitations 2 The exercise of any right or the receipt of any benefit under this Act is subject to the limitations that are reasonable in the circumstances under which the right is being exercised or the benefit is being received. Part 1 Access to Education Right of access to education 3 (1) Every person (a) who at September 1 in a year is 6 years of age or older and younger than 19 years of age, (b) who is a resident of Alberta, and (c) who has a parent who is a resident of Canada, is entitled to have access in that school year to an education program in accordance with this Act. (2) A board may permit an individual (a) who at September 1 in a year is younger than 6 years of age or older than 18 years of age, and (b) who complies with subsection (1)(b) and (c), to have access in that year to an education program in accordance with this Act. 2012 cE‑0.3 s3;2019 c7 s4 Right to education during emergencies 3.1 (1) Every student has a right to education consistent with the requirements of the regulations during (a) a public health emergency confirmed under section 29(2.1) of the Public Health Act , (b) a state of public health emergency declared under section 52.1 of the Public Health Act , (c) a local state of public health emergency declared under section 52.2 of the Public Health Act , (d) a state of emergency declared under section 18(1) of the Emergency Management Act , (e) a state of local emergency declared under section 21 of the Emergency Management Act , or (f) an emergency prescribed in an order of the Minister under section 11.1(3). (2) A board must provide in‑person learning or at‑home learning during an emergency described in subsection (1) in accordance with the regulations. 2024 c14 s4 Parental notification and consent during emergencies 3.2 (1) Subject to subsection (2) and the regulations, if, during an emergency described in section 3.1(1), health measures established by a board that relate to the emergency are intended to apply to the body of a student, the board, before the intended health measures are applied to the body of the student, shall, (a) in the case of a student who is under 16 years of age, seek the consent of the student’s parent, or (b) in the case of a student who is 16 years of age or older, notify the student’s parent and seek the consent of the student or the parent. (2) Subsection (1) (a) applies to health measures prescribed by an order of the Minister under section 11.1(3)(b) in addition to those established by a board, and (b) does not apply to (i) routine health measures such as hand washing, cleaning or hygiene, and (ii) any other health measures exempted by an order of the Minister under section 11.1(3)(c). 2024 c14 s4 Resident student 4 (1) Subject to this section, a student is a resident student of the board of the school division in which the student’s parent resides. (2) For the purposes of this section and section 59, (a) a student who is in the care of a foster parent under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act is deemed to be a resident student of the board of the school division in which the foster parent resides, unless subsection (5) applies, and (b) a student who has a disability and is the subject of an agreement under the Family Support for Children with Disabilities Act is deemed to be a resident student of the board of the school division in which the student resides. (3) Subject to this section, every student is a resident student of a board of a public school division. (4) Where a separate school district is established, an individual residing within the boundaries of the separate school district who is of the same faith as those who established that district, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, (a) is a resident of the separate school division responsible for operating the separate school district, and (b) is not a resident of the public school division. (5) A child intervention worker under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act may deem a student to be a resident student of the board that represents the faith of the student if (a) the student is in the care of a foster parent under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act , (b) the faith of the student, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, differs from the faith of the foster parent, and (c) the foster parent resides in an area where a separate school district has been established. (6) If a student (a) is under 16 years of age and is not the subject of an order or agreement under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act , and (b) is a child in respect of whom financial assistance is being provided under section 105.8 of the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act , the student is a resident student of the board of the school division in which the student resides. (7) The following students are resident students of the Government: (a) a student who resides in unorganized territory and who is not an Indian as defined in the Indian Act (Canada) residing on a reserve pursuant to the Indian Act (Canada); (b) a student in custody under the Corrections Act , the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (Canada), the Youth Justice Act or the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) who resides in an institution or a group home prescribed by the Minister as an institution or a group home to which this clause applies; (c) a student (i) who is in the custody or under the guardianship of the Crown under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act , and (ii) who resides in an institution or a group home prescribed by the Minister as an institution or a group home to which this clause applies that is operated or approved by the Government; (d) a student who is under long‑term medical care who resides or is placed in a program in an institution that is under the control, direction or administration of the Government. (8) If each parent is a resident of a different school division, (a) the parents must choose in writing one of those school divisions, (b) the student is a resident student of the board of the chosen school division, (c) the student must attend the school the student is directed to attend by the board of the chosen school division in accordance with section 10, and (d) the board of either school division may require that the choice of the parents remains in effect during the school year in respect of which it is made. (9) If a parent is limited by law in exercising an authority under subsection (8)(a) and that parent is a resident of a school division different than that of the other parent, the other parent may choose which of the 2 divisions in which the student is to attend school, and subsection (8)(b) to (d) apply. (10) If the parents referred to in subsection (8) do not choose a school division under subsection (8), the Minister shall designate the board of a school division of which one parent is a resident as the board of which the student is a resident student. (11) If the residence of the parent of a student changes after the commencement of a school year, the parent must designate the student to be a resident student of one of the following for the balance of that school year: (a) the board of the school division in which the student resides after the change, (b) the board of the school division in which the student resided immediately before the change, or (c) the Government if the student (i) resides in unorganized territory after the change, or (ii) resided in unorganized territory immediately before the change. (12) If a parent of a student dies and, as a result of the death, the student no longer has a living parent who is a resident of the school division of whose board the student is a resident student, the student may remain a resident student of that board notwithstanding subsections (1) to (11). (13) If there is a dispute as to the number of resident students of a board, the Minister may determine the number or the method to be used to calculate the number. (14) If there is a dispute as to the residency of a student, the Minister may determine that the student is a resident student of a particular board. 2012 cE‑0.3 s4;2015 c6 s3;2019 c7 s5 Residence 4.1 For the purposes of this Act, the place of residence of a person is governed by the following: (a) a person is deemed to have only one place of residence; (b) a person’s residence is the place where that person ordinarily lives and sleeps and to which, when absent from the residence, that person intends to return. 2020 c11 s3 5 Repealed 2015 c6 s4. Independent student 6 (1) In determining whether a student is living independently for the purposes of this Act, a board may consider the following: (a) whether the student or the student’s parent has made a statement in writing indicating that the student is living independently; (b) the student’s living arrangements; (c) whether the student is financially independent or contributes financially to his or her maintenance; (d) whether the student is responsible for the making of significant decisions regarding matters such as health care; (e) any other factor the board considers relevant. (2) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Act, an independent student is entitled to exercise all the rights and powers and receive all the benefits and is subject to all the obligations under this Act that the student’s parent would be entitled to exercise or receive or would be subject to, and the student’s parent shall not exercise those rights, receive those benefits or be subject to those obligations. 2012 cE‑0.3 s6;2015 c6 s5 Compulsory education 7 (1) Every person who (a) is a resident of Alberta and has a parent who is a resident of Canada, (b) at September 1 in a year is 6 years of age or older, and (c) subject to subsection (2), is younger than 16 years of age, shall attend school. (2) Subsection (1)(c) does not apply to a person who is younger than 16 years of age who has attained high school completion in accordance with the requirements prescribed in an order of the Minister under section 18. (3) A board shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure that a student who is a resident student of the board or who is enrolled in a school operated by the board attends school. (4) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a student is excused from attending school on a day on which the school is open if (a) the student is unable to attend by reason of sickness or other unavoidable cause, (b) the day is recognized as a religious holiday by the religious denomination to which the student belongs, (c) the principal of the school has suspended the student from school and the suspension is still in effect, (d) the student has been expelled from a school and has not yet been enrolled in another education program, or (e) the board or, if the student is enrolled in an independent school or resides in unorganized territory, the Minister (i) determines that the parent of the student has shown sufficient cause as to why the student should not be required to attend school, and (ii) excuses the student from attending school for a prescribed period of time. (5) Where a student is excused from attendance at school under subsection (4)(e), that student is excused from attendance at school only during the period of time prescribed by the board or the Minister, as the case may be. 2012 cE‑0.3 s7;2019 c7 s6;2025 c6 s4 Enforcing school attendance 8 (1) In this section, (a) “judge” means a judge of the Court of Justice; (b) “order” means an order given under this section by a judge or a justice of the peace. (2) If an attendance officer has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that a student is not attending school in accordance with section 7, the attendance officer may do any or all of the following: (a) enter, during school hours, (i) any building or premises other than a dwelling place, and (ii) if authorized by an order under subsection (5), a dwelling place, where the attendance officer has reason to believe the student may be found or employed; (b) send the student who the attendance officer suspects is not attending school home or to school and accompany the student for that purpose; (c) deal with the student in accordance with the rules prescribed by the board. (3) If (a) an attendance officer has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that a student who is not attending school in accordance with section 7 is located in a place or premises, including a dwelling place, or (b) a student does not comply with a proper direction given by an attendance officer, the attendance officer may act under subsection (4). (4) If subsection (3) applies, the attendance officer may make an ex parte application to a judge or, if a judge is not reasonably available, to a justice of the peace for either or both of the following orders: (a) if the judge or justice of the peace is satisfied that the student may be found in the place or premises, an order authorizing the attendance officer named in the order to enter the place or premises without force and search for the student; (b) an order requiring the student to comply with the directions of the attendance officer. (5) On hearing an application under this section, the judge or justice of the peace, as the case may be, may grant the order applied for subject to any terms or conditions that the judge or justice of the peace considers appropriate in the circumstances. 2012 cE‑0.3 s8;AR 75/2023 Attendance at school 9 (1) Where (a) a student who is required to attend a school under section 7 does not attend school, and (b) attempts to enforce school attendance under section 8 have, in the opinion of the board, not been effective, the board of which the student is a resident student or that operates or supervises the school in which the student is enrolled may refer the matter to the Attendance Board. (2) Where a student who is required to attend a school under section 7 (a) is enrolled in an independent school, and (b) does not regularly attend that independent school, and the person responsible for the operation of that independent school has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the student attends school, the person responsible for the operation of that independent school shall refer the matter to the Attendance Board. (3) Before referring a matter respecting the attendance of a student to the Attendance Board, a board shall ensure (a) that the student has been advised by the board or the attendance officer of the student’s duty to attend school in accordance with section 7, and (b) that all reasonable efforts have been made by the board or the attendance officer to enforce the student’s attendance at school. (4) Before referring a matter respecting the attendance of a student to the Attendance Board, the person responsible for the operation of an independent school shall ensure (a) that the student has been advised by that person of the student’s duty to attend school in accordance with section 7, and (b) that all reasonable efforts have been made by that person to enforce the student’s attendance at school. 2012 cE-0.3 s9;2025 c6 s5 Enrolment in school operated by board 10 (1) Subject to subsection (2), a board shall direct a resident student of the board to enrol in and attend a particular school operated by the board. (2) A board shall enrol a resident student of the board in the school operated by the board that is requested by the parent of the student if, in the opinion of the board asked to enrol the student, there are sufficient resources and facilities available to accommodate the student. (3) Where a board establishes an attendance area for a school, a resident student of a board who resides in the attendance area for the school must be given priority over a student who does not reside in the attendance area. (4) A board shall, for that school year, enrol a resident student of another board in the school operated by the board that is requested by the parent of the student if, in the opinion of the board asked to enrol the student, there are sufficient resources and facilities available to accommodate the student. (5) Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (4), a board may direct a student who requests enrolment in a senior high school program beyond a 3rd school year to attend a school designated by the board. (6) A board shall enrol a resident student of the Government in a school operated by the board as requested by the Minister. (7) A parent of a student enrolled in a school operated by a board shall not request that the student be enrolled in another school during a school year unless the board operating the other school consents. Responsibility to students 11 (1) A board shall ensure that each of its resident students is provided with an education program consistent with the requirements of this Act and the regulations. (2) A board shall provide to each student enrolled in a school operated by the board an education program consistent with the requirements of this Act and the regulations that will give the student the opportunity to meet the standards of education set by the Minister. (3) In respect of a student referred to in subsection (2), if a student’s behavioural, intellectual, learning, communication or physical characteristics, or a combination of any of them, impair the student’s ability and opportunity to learn, a board may determine that the student is in need of specialized supports and services. (4) Subject to section 40, a student who is determined by a board to be in need of specialized supports and services is entitled to have access to those supports and services in an education program provided in accordance with this Act that will give the student the opportunity to meet the standards of education set by the Minister. (5) Before providing specialized supports and services to a student, a board shall (a) consult with the parent of the student, and (b) where appropriate, consult with the student. (6) The Minister may make regulations respecting the delivery of specialized supports and services. 2012 cE‑0.3 s11;2015 c6 s6 Regulations and orders 11.1 (1) The Minister may make regulations (a) respecting in‑person learning and at‑home learning; (b) respecting notification and consent relating to health measures; (c) respecting the wearing of face masks or other face coverings; (d) respecting policies that a board must establish and implement respecting in-person learning or at‑home learning; (e) defining, for the purposes of this Part, any term used but not defined in this Part. (2) A regulation made under this section may be general or specific in its application, including, without limitation, during an emergency. (3) The Minister may, by order, do the following: (a) prescribe emergencies for the purposes of section 3.1(1)(f); (b) prescribe, for the purposes of section 3.2(2)(a), health measures that relate to an emergency and are intended to apply to the body of a student; (c) exempt, for the purposes of section 3.2(2)(b)(ii), health measures that relate to an emergency and are intended to apply to the body of a student. (4) The Regulations Act does not apply to an order made under subsection (3). 2024 c14 s5 International students 12 A board shall enrol all individuals who are entitled under section 3 to have access to an education program in a school year before enrolling an individual who is not entitled under section 3 to have access to an education program in that school year. Tuition fees 13 (1) A board shall not charge any tuition fees with respect to the enrolment in a school operated by the board of its resident students or the resident student of any other board or the Government. (2) A board may charge tuition fees in respect of an individual who attends a school operated by the board and who is not a resident student of the board or any other board or the Government. (3) Where a board may charge a tuition fee under subsection (2), the board may determine the amount of the tuition fee. Francophone education 14 (1) If an individual has rights under section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to have the individual’s children receive school instruction in French, the individual’s children are entitled to receive that instruction in accordance with those rights wherever in Alberta those rights apply. (2) The Minister may make regulations (a) respecting the education generally of students whose parents are Francophones, and (b) notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, respecting any matter required to give effect to subsection (1). (3) A student who is enrolled in a school operated by a Francophone regional authority is entitled to receive school instruction in French. Enrolment in Francophone school 15 (1) If a student’s parent is a Francophone who requests that the student be enrolled in a school operated by a Francophone regional authority and the student resides in the Francophone education region within the distance from the school, as determined by the Francophone regional authority, the student is entitled to attend that school, and the Francophone regional authority shall (a) enrol the student in that school, and (b) ensure that the student is provided with an education program consistent with the requirements of this Act and the regulations that will give the student the opportunity to meet the standards of education set by the Minister.

(2) If a student’s parent is a Francophone who requests that the student be enrolled in a school operated by a Francophone regional authority and the student does not reside in the Francophone education region within the distance from the school, as determined by the Francophone regional authority, the Francophone regional authority (a) may enrol the student in that school under the terms set by the Francophone regional authority, and (b) if the student is enrolled under clause (a), shall ensure that the student is provided with an education program consistent with the requirements of this Act and the regulations that will give the student the opportunity to meet the standards of education set by the Minister. (3) If a student is the child of a Francophone and is enrolled in a school operated by a Francophone regional authority, the student continues to be a resident student of a board of a school division or, if section 4(7) applies to the student, of the Government, but section 11(1) does not apply to that board or the Minister, as the case may be, with respect to that student while the student is enrolled in a school operated by a Francophone regional authority. (4) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), a Francophone regional authority that is requested to enrol a student in a senior high school program beyond a 3rd school year may direct the student to attend a school designated by the Francophone regional authority. (5) A Francophone regional authority shall enrol a resident student of the Government in a school operated by the Francophone regional authority as requested by the Minister. 2012 cE-0.3 s15;2020 c11 s4 Part 2 Opportunities for Learning Division 1 Diverse and Flexible Learning Diversity and respect 16 (1) All courses or programs of study and instructional materials used in a school must reflect the diverse nature and heritage of society in Alberta, promote understanding and respect for others and honour and respect the common values and beliefs of Albertans. (2) For greater certainty, the courses or programs of study and instructional materials referred to in subsection (1) must not promote or foster doctrines of racial or ethnic superiority or persecution, social change through violent action or disobedience of laws. Language of instruction 17 (1) Every student is entitled to receive instruction in English. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a board may authorize the use of French or any other language as a language of instruction. (3) The Minister may make regulations governing the provision of instruction in any language authorized under subsection (2). Courses, programs of study, etc. 18 (1) The Minister may do the following: (a) prescribe courses or programs of study; (b) prescribe requirements for the granting of credits, certificates and diplomas, including requirements for high school completion; (c) prescribe requirements with respect to course sequencing or advancement; (d) authorize learning and teaching resources for use in schools; (d.1) approve any learning and teaching resources referred to in section 18.1; (d.2) approve any external party using or providing learning and teaching resources referred to in section 18.1; (e) approve any course, program of study or learning and teaching resource that may be submitted to the Minister by a board or another operator of a school for use in a school. (2) The Minister may, by order, do the following: (a) subject to the right of a board to provide religious instruction, prohibit the use of a course, a program of study or a learning and teaching resource in schools; (b) adopt or approve goals and standards applicable to the provision of education in Alberta. (3) The Regulations Act does not apply to an order made under subsection (2). (4) The Minister may issue directives respecting the assessment of persons by the Minister. 2012 cE‑0.3 s18;2015 c6 s7;2024 c14 s6 Learning and teaching resources re gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality 18.1 (1) In this section, (a) “external party” means a person or organization other than (i) a board or an employee of a board, (ii) a student, (iii) a student organization established under section 35.1, or (iv) a staff liaison designated, or responsible adult appointed, under section 35.1; (b) “learning and teaching resources” means any resource used in a school to engage in learning or teaching, but does not include a resource (i) created by a student, or (ii) accessed by a student independently, including through a school library. (2) Subject to subsection (4), a board shall not use or permit the use or provision of learning and teaching resources that deal primarily and explicitly with gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality unless the learning and teaching resources are approved by the Minister. (3) Where the use or provision of learning and teaching resources referred to in subsection (2) is by an external party, a board shall not permit that use or provision unless both the learning and teaching resources and external party are approved by the Minister. (4) Subsection (2) does not apply where the learning and teaching resources are used or provided to provide religious instruction. (5) Where the use or provision under subsection (4) is by an external party, a board shall not permit that use or provision unless the external party is approved by the Minister. (6) The Minister may establish approval criteria or requirements respecting learning and teaching resources and external parties for the purposes of this section. 2024 c14 s7 Alternative programs 19 (1) In this section, “alternative program” means an education program offered by a board that (a) emphasizes a particular language, culture, religion or subject‑matter, or (b) uses a particular teaching philosophy, but that is not a religious education program offered by a separate school board of that religious denomination, a Francophone education program or specialized supports and services under section 11. (2) A board may offer an alternative program to a student whose parent requests it where, in the opinion of the board, (a) the board has sufficient resources and facilities to offer the alternative program, and (b) the alternative program is appropriate to meet the student’s education needs. (3) A board may offer an alternative program under subsection (2) that operates within the geographic boundaries of another board only if the other board has been requested to offer the alternative program and has refused. (4) A board that offers an alternative program shall continue to offer an education program consistent with the requirements of this Act and the regulations to those students not enrolled in the alternative program. (5) If a parent enrols a student in an alternative program, the board may charge that parent fees related to the alternative program only for the purpose of defraying all or a portion of any non‑instructional costs that (a) may be incurred by the board in offering the alternative program, (b) are necessary for the delivery of the alternative program, and (c) are in addition to the costs incurred by the board in providing education programs other than the alternative program. 2012 cE‑0.3 s19;2015 c6 s8 Home education programs 20 (1) A parent of a student may provide, at home or elsewhere, a type of home education program for the student in accordance with the regulations. (2) The Minister may make regulations respecting any type of home education program, including, without limitation, regulations respecting (a) notification requirements to provide a home education program, and (b) supervision requirements, if any, of a home education program. 2012 cE-0.3 s20;2020 c11 s5 Early childhood services programs 21 (1) A board or, with the approval of the Minister, other person may provide an early childhood services program to a child who, as of September 1, is younger than 6 years of age, if the parent of the child requests it. (2) A board or, with the approval of the Minister, other person may provide an early childhood services program to a student who, as of September 1, is younger than 7 years of age if both the parent of the student and the board or person providing the early childhood services program are of the opinion that the program will benefit the student. (3) An early childhood services program provided by a board or other person must be consistent with the goals and standards adopted or approved by the Minister under section 18(2)(b). (4) A board or other person providing an early childhood services program shall manage, administer and operate the early childhood services program in accordance with this Act, the regulations and any policies established under the regulations. (5) The Minister may by order establish minimum requirements that policies established under the regulations must meet. (5.1) Section 229.1 applies in respect of an early childhood services program. (5.2) For the purposes of section 229.1, a reference to a board is deemed to include a reference to a person who provides an early childhood services program. (6) Subject to the regulations, if a parent enrols a child or student in an early childhood services program, the board or other person that provides the early childhood services program may charge the parent fees in respect of the program. (7) Unless otherwise stated, if a child referred to in subsection (1) attends an early childhood services program, the child is not, by reason of attending that program, (a) a resident student of the board, or (b) entitled to any of the rights or benefits given to a student under this Act. (8) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting early childhood services programs, including regulations respecting (a) boards and other persons providing early childhood services programs, including regulations establishing classes of boards or persons providing early childhood services programs; (b) the management, administration and operation of early childhood services programs; (c) the development, maintenance and review of policies relating to the management, administration and operation of early childhood services programs; (d) the governance of persons other than boards providing early childhood services programs, including regulations respecting the composition of boards of directors, quorum and voting requirements; (e) remuneration, benefits, allowances, expenses or fees that may be paid or provided to directors, officers or individuals employed or engaged for services by boards or other persons providing early childhood services programs; (f) contracts of employment or agreements to engage services that boards or other persons providing early childhood services programs have entered into or propose to enter into, including regulations respecting (i) the review by the Minister of contracts or agreements, (ii) requirements that contracts or agreements must meet, (iii) actions the Minister may take with respect to contracts or agreements that do not meet the requirements, and (iv) transitional matters with respect to the requirements referred to in subclause (ii) or the actions referred to in subclause (iii), including regulations authorizing the Minister to require amendment or termination of contracts or agreements; (g) agreements and transactions with related parties that boards or other persons providing early childhood services programs have entered into or propose to enter into, including regulations respecting (i) the determination as to whether parties to agreements or transactions are related parties, (ii) the review by the Minister of agreements or transactions, (iii) requirements that agreements or transactions must meet, (iv) actions the Minister may take with respect to agreements or transactions that do not meet the requirements, and (v) transitional matters with respect to the requirements referred to in subclause (iii) or the actions referred to in subclause (iv), including regulations authorizing the Minister to require amendment or termination of contracts or agreements; (h) funding relating to early childhood services programs received under the Government Organization Act , including prohibitions on the transfer of such funding; (i) financial reporting relating to the management, administration and operation of early childhood services programs; (j) audits of financial statements, including requirements, criteria and procedures for audits; (k) the collection, use and disclosure by the Minister of information relating to the management, administration and operation of early childhood services programs, including personal information; (l) the provision of information relating to the management, administration and operation of early childhood services programs to the Minister or other persons by boards or other persons providing early childhood services programs; (m) the publication of information relating to the management, administration and operation of early childhood services programs; (n) confidentiality, publication, retention, storage and disposition of records relating to the management, administration and operation of early childhood services programs; (o) monitoring and oversight of boards and other persons providing early childhood services programs to determine compliance with this Act, the regulations and the policies required under the regulations; (p) actions the Minister may take in respect of a failure to comply with this Act, the regulations or the policies required under the regulations; (q) exemptions from any requirements under the regulations; (r) defining for the purposes of this Act any term that is used but not defined in this Act. (9) Regulations made under subsection (8) may apply to all boards or persons providing early childhood services programs or to a class of boards or persons providing early childhood services programs, and different regulations may be made in respect of different classes of boards or persons providing early childhood services programs. 2012 cE‑0.3 s21;2015 c6 s9;2020 c11 s6;2021 c19 s2; 2022 c16 s4 Off‑campus education programs 22 (1) A board may provide off‑campus education programs for its students. (2) A board may enter into an agreement with a person to provide a workplace for students who are participating in an off‑campus education program. (3) When a student wishes to participate in an off‑campus education program, the board shall obtain the consent of the student’s parent or, if the student is 16 years of age or older, of the student. (4) A student who is participating in an off‑campus education program is considered to be attending school while at the workplace provided for the program. Continuing education 23 (1) A board, in addition to meeting its obligations under section 11(1), may develop or provide courses to any person on any subject. (2) A board shall employ teachers in accordance with section 198 to provide instruction in courses provided under this section that conform with the courses prescribed or approved under section 18, and may employ any person to provide instruction in other courses provided under this section. (3) When a board develops or provides a course under subsection (1), the board shall ensure that the course does not interfere with the ability of the board to meet its obligations under section 11(1). (4) Notwithstanding section 13, a board may charge a student registered in a course developed or provided by it under subsection (1) any fees it considers appropriate, but it may not charge a student who is registered in a course prescribed or approved under section 18 a fee for a course prescribed or approved under that section. (5) Any person may apply to a board to register in a course developed or provided under subsection (1) and the board may in its discretion accept or refuse the applicant. (6) A person who registers in a course developed or provided by a board under subsection (1) who is not otherwise a student enrolled in a school operated by the board is not, by reason of being registered in that course, (a) a resident student of that board, or (b) entitled to any of the rights and benefits given to a student under this Act. Division 2 Charter Schools Application to establish charter school 24 (1) A person may apply to the Minister for the establishment of a charter school to be operated by a society incorporated under the Societies Act or by a company registered under Part 9 of the Companies Act . (2) On receipt of an application under subsection (1), the Minister shall, in accordance with the regulations, provide notice of the application for a new charter school and the proposed programming to (a) every board of a public or separate school division and Francophone regional authority operating within the geographic area in which the charter school is to be established, and (b) the operators of any other charter schools as determined by the Minister. (3) An application must be in the form and contain the information prescribed by the regulations. 2012 cE‑0.3 s24;2020 c11 s7 Charter schools 25 (1) The Minister may issue a charter to establish a charter school in accordance with the regulations if the Minister is of the opinion that the program to be offered by the charter school (a) focuses on (i) a learning style, a teaching style, approach or philosophy or pedagogy that is not already being offered by a board of a public or separate school division or Francophone regional authority operating within the geographic area in which the charter school will be located, or (ii) vocation-based education, (b) has the potential to improve student learning outcomes, (c) demonstrates collaboration or engagement with a post‑secondary institution or a school division, and (d) has the potential to provide improvements to the education system as a whole and to enhance education research and innovation in Alberta. (2) The Minister may, in accordance with the regulations, (a) determine the initial term of a charter, (b) renew the term of a charter, or (c) repeal a charter. (3) The Minister may by regulation establish criteria for issuing a charter to a charter school on a continuing basis. 2012 cE‑0.3 s25;2020 c11 s8 Operation of charter schools 26 (1) A charter school must be operated in accordance with the charter approved by the Minister. (2) A charter must include the items established by the Minister by regulation. (3) The society or company that is named in the charter shall operate the charter school. (4) The operator of a charter school must restrict its purposes to the operation of that charter school. (5) A charter school shall not charge a fee that may not be charged by a board under this Act. (6) A charter school shall not be affiliated with a religious faith or denomination. Application of Act to charter schools 27 (1) The following provisions and any regulations made under them apply to a charter school and its operation, and a reference in those provisions or those regulations to a board or a trustee is deemed to include a reference to the operator of a charter school or a member of the governing body of the operator of a charter school, as the case may be: (a) sections 1 and 2; (b) Part 1 except sections 4, 4.1, 10, 11(1), 14 and 15; (c) Part 2 except sections 19, 20, 23, 28.1, 29 and 30; (d) Part 3 except sections 33(1)(k) and 34; (e) Part 4 except sections 51, 53.1, 59, 59.1, 62 and 69(a), Division 4, section 87(1)(a) and (2), section 91(b) and (c), sections 92 to 96 and Division 5.1; (f) in Part 6, Division 1, sections 171 and 180, and Division 8 except section 191; (g) Part 7; (h) Part 8. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Lieutenant Governor in Council (a) may exempt a charter school from the operation of any provision of this Act, except sections 24, 25 and 26, or of the regulations under section 25(3) or 28, and (b) may make any provision of this Act or the regulations apply to a charter school. 2012 cE‑0.3 s27;2019 c7 s7;2020 c11 s9,14;2021 cR-5.7 s70 Regulations 28 (1) The Minister may make regulations with respect to charter schools. (2) An order under section 27(2) or a regulation under subsection (1) may be general in its application or may apply to a particular charter school or a class of charter schools. Division 3 Independent Schools Recognition of independent schools 28.1 Independent schools are recognized as being important in providing parents and students with choice in education, and a person responsible for the operation of an independent school shall ensure students enrolled in the independent school are provided with an education program consistent with the requirements set out in the Act and the regulations. 2020 c11 s10;2025 c6 s7 Independent schools 29 (1) A school may be registered as an independent school if the person who will be responsible for the operation of the proposed independent school applies to the Minister and the Minister is satisfied that (a) the independent school will provide education programs to its students that comply with any orders made under section 18(2)(b), (b) the independent school will meet standards of student achievement acceptable to the Minister, (c) the person who will be responsible for the operation of the independent school agrees to regular evaluation and monitoring by the Minister, and (d) the building that is to be used for school purposes meets and will continue to meet all applicable local and provincial health, safety and building standards. (2) An independent school may be accredited as an accredited independent school if the person responsible for the operation of the independent school applies to the Minister and (a) the Minister approves the education programs offered to its students and its programs of study, and any modification of them, and (b) the Minister is satisfied that (i) the person responsible for the operation of the independent school continues to meet the requirements under subsection (1), (ii) the person responsible for the operation of the independent school has the capacity, in accordance with the regulations, to deliver an appropriate education program to its students, and (iii) individuals employed to teach at the school have the qualifications approved by the Minister. (3) An application under subsection (1) or (2) must be in the form and contain the information prescribed by the regulations. (3.1) A person responsible for the operation of an independent school shall manage, administer and operate the independent school in accordance with this Act, the regulations and any policies established under the regulations. (3.2) The Minister may by order establish minimum requirements that policies established under the regulations must meet. (4) The Minister may cancel or suspend the registration or accreditation of an independent school (a) if the person responsible for the operation of the school does not comply, in the case of an independent school, with subsection (1) and, in the case of an accredited independent school, with subsections (1) and (2), (a.1) if the person responsible for the operation of the school does not comply with the provisions of the regulations or policies that are prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this clause, (b) if the evaluation or monitoring of an independent school indicates that the independent school does not have the capacity to deliver an appropriate education program to its students, (c) if, in the opinion of the Minister, the students at the independent school are not achieving acceptable educational progress, (d) if the person responsible for the operation of the independent school permits courses, programs of study or instructional materials that do not comply with section 16, or (e) if, in the opinion of the Minister, the financial situation of the school places the learning environment of the students at risk. (5) No person shall operate a school as an independent school unless it is registered under subsection (1). (6) If a person operates as an independent school a school that is not registered under subsection (1) or in respect of which the registration has been cancelled or suspended, the Minister may apply to the Court of King’s Bench for an order restraining that person from operating the school during the time that (a) the school is not registered, or (b) the registration of the school is cancelled or suspended, as the case may be. (6.1) This section and any regulations made under subsection (7) do not apply (a) in respect of an accredited independent school in relation to the operation, administration and management of an early childhood services program provided in the accredited independent school, and (b) to a person responsible for the operation of an accredited independent school in its capacity as a person providing an early childhood services program under section 21. (7) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting independent schools, including regulations (a) establishing eligibility criteria that must be met by persons who propose to operate independent schools; (b) respecting the management, operation and administration of independent schools; (c) respecting the development, maintenance and review of policies relating to the management, operation and administration of independent schools; (d) respecting the remuneration, benefits, allowances, expenses or fees that may be paid or provided to directors, officers or individuals employed or engaged for services by persons responsible for the operation of independent schools; (e) respecting contracts of employment and agreements to engage services that persons responsible for the operation of independent schools have entered into or propose to enter into, including regulations respecting (i) the review by the Minister of contracts or agreements, (ii) requirements that contracts or agreements must meet, (iii) actions the Minister may take with respect to contracts or agreements that do not meet the requirements, and (iv) transitional matters with respect to the requirements referred to in subclause (ii) or the actions referred to in subclause (iii), including regulations authorizing the Minister to require amendment or termination of contracts or agreements; (f) respecting agreements and transactions with related persons that persons responsible for the operation of independent schools have entered into or propose to enter into, including regulations respecting (i) the determination as to whether parties to agreements or transactions are related parties, (ii) the review by the Minister of agreements or transactions, (iii) requirements that agreements or transactions must meet, (iv) actions the Minister may take with respect to agreements or transactions that do not meet the requirements, and (v) transitional matters with respect to the requirements referred to in subclause (iii) or the actions referred to in subclause (iv), including regulations authorizing the Minister to require amendment or termination of contracts or agreements; (g) respecting funding relating to independent schools under the regulations under the Government Organization Act , including prohibitions on the transfer of such funding; (h) respecting financial reporting relating to the management, administration and operation of independent schools; (i) respecting audits of financial statements, including requirements, criteria and procedures for audits; (j) respecting the collection, use and disclosure by the Minister of information relating to the management, administration or operation of independent schools, including personal information; (k) respecting the provision of information relating to the management, administration or operation of independent schools to the Minister or other persons by persons responsible for the operation of independent schools; (l) respecting the publication of information relating to the management, administration and operation of independent schools; (m) respecting the confidentiality, publication, retention, storage and disposition of records relating to the management, administration and operation of independent schools; (n) respecting the monitoring and oversight of persons responsible for the operation of independent schools to determine compliance with this Act, the regulations and the policies required under the regulations; (o) prescribing provisions of the regulations or policies established under the regulations for the purposes of subsection (4)(a.1); (p) respecting actions the Minister may take in respect of a failure to comply with this Act, the regulations or the policies required under the regulations; (q) respecting exemptions from any requirements under the regulations; (r) defining for the purposes of this Act any term that is used but not defined in this Act. 2012 cE‑0.3 s29;2015 c6 s10;2022 c16 s4;AR 217/2022;2025 c6 s8 Application of Act to independent schools 30 (1) The following provisions and any regulations made under them apply to a registered or accredited independent school and its operation, and a reference in those provisions or those regulations to a board or a trustee is deemed to include a reference to the person responsible for the operation of an independent school or a member of the governing body of the operator of an independent school, as the case may be: (a) sections 1 and 2; (b) in Part 1, sections 3, 3.1, 3.2, 5, 6, 7, 9(2) and (4) and 11.1; (c) in Part 2, sections 16, 17, 18, 18.1, 28.1, 29 and 30; (d) in Part 3, sections 31, 32, 33.2 and 35.1, section 42, except subsection (3), in respect of appeals referred to in section 58.2, and Division 7; (e) in Part 4, sections 56, 58.1, 58.11, 58.12, 58.2, 66 and 70; (f) in Part 7, sections 201, 229.1 and Division 3.1; (g) in Part 8, sections 243, 244, 246, 254 and 259. (1.1) Section 33(1)(d), (2) and (3) apply to an accredited independent school and a board referred to in section 33(1)(d), (2) and (3) is deemed to include a person responsible for the operation of an accredited independent school. (2) Section 20 and any regulations made under section 20(2) apply to an accredited independent school and its operation, and a reference in that section or those regulations to a board or a trustee is deemed to include a reference to the person responsible for the operation of an accredited independent school or a member of the governing body of the operator of an accredited independent school. (3) Section 21, except subsection (7), and any regulations made under section 21(8) apply to an accredited independent school and its operation. 2012 cE‑0.3 s30;2015 c1 s2;2015 c6 s11;2019 c7 s8;2020 c11 s11; 2021 c19 s2;2022 c7 s3;2022 c16 s4;2024 c14 s8;2025 c6 s9 Part 3 Responsibilities and Dispute Resolution Division 1 Responsibilities Student responsibilities 31 A student, as a partner in education, has the responsibility to (a) attend school regularly and punctually, (b) be ready to learn and actively engage in and diligently pursue the student’s education, (c) ensure that the student’s conduct contributes to a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging, (d) respect the rights of others in the school, (e) refrain from, report and not tolerate bullying or bullying behaviour directed toward others in the school, whether or not it occurs within the school building, during the school day or by electronic means, (f) comply with the rules of the school and the policies of the board, (g) co‑operate with everyone authorized by the board to provide education programs and other services, (h) be accountable to the student’s teachers and other school staff for the student’s conduct, and (i) positively contribute to the student’s school and community. Parent responsibilities 32 A parent has the prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be provided to the parent’s child, and as a partner in education, has the responsibility to (a) act as the primary guide and decision-maker with respect to the child’s education, (b) take an active role in the child’s educational success, including assisting the child in complying with section 31, (c) ensure that the child attends school regularly, (d) ensure that the parent’s conduct contributes to a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment, (e) co‑operate and collaborate with school staff to support the delivery of supports and services to the child, (f) encourage, foster and advance collaborative, positive and respectful relationships with teachers, principals, other school staff and professionals providing supports and services in the school, and (g) engage in the child’s school community. 2012 cE‑0.3 s32;2019 c7 s9 Board responsibilities 33 (1) A board, as a partner in education, has the responsibility to (a) deliver appropriate education programming to meet the needs of all students enrolled in a school operated by the board and to enable their success, (b) be accountable and provide assurances to students, parents, the community and the Minister for student achievement of learning outcomes, (c) provide, where appropriate, for the engagement of parents, students, staff and the community, including municipalities and the local business community, in board matters, including the board’s plans and the achievement of goals and targets within those plans, (d) ensure that each student enrolled in a school operated by the board and each staff member employed by the board is provided with a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging, (e) provide a continuum of supports and services to students that is consistent with the principles of inclusive education, (f) collaborate with municipalities, other boards and community‑based service agencies in order to effectively address the needs of all students and manage the use of public resources, (g) collaborate with post‑secondary institutions and the community to enable smooth transitions for students from secondary to post‑secondary education, (h) establish and maintain governance and organizational structures that promote student well‑being and success, and monitor and evaluate their effectiveness, (i) ensure effective stewardship of the board’s resources, (j) recruit the superintendent and entrust the day‑to‑day management of the school division to the staff through the superintendent, (k) develop and implement a code of conduct that applies to trustees of the board, including definitions of breaches and sanctions, in accordance with principles set out by the Minister by order, (l) comply with all applicable Acts and regulations, (m) establish appropriate dispute resolution processes, and (n) carry out any other matters that the Minister prescribes. (1.1) No board shall, in a code of conduct developed and implemented under subsection (1)(k), include, as a sanction that may be imposed by the board for a breach of that code, disqualification of a person from remaining as a trustee of the board. (2) A board shall establish, implement and maintain a policy respecting the board’s obligation under subsection (1)(d) to provide a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that includes the establishment of a code of conduct for students that addresses bullying behaviour. (3) A code of conduct established under subsection (2) must (a) be made publicly available, (b) be reviewed every year, (c) be provided to all staff of the board, students of the board and parents of students of the board, (d) contain the following elements: (i) a statement of purpose that provides a rationale for the code of conduct, with a focus on welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments; (ii) one or more statements that address the prohibited grounds of discrimination set out in the Alberta Human Rights Act ; (iii) one or more statements about what is acceptable behaviour and what is unacceptable behaviour, whether or not it occurs within the school building, during the school day or by electronic means; (iv) one or more statements about the consequences of unacceptable behaviour, which must take account of the student’s age, maturity and individual circumstances, and which must ensure that support is provided for students who are impacted by inappropriate behaviour, as well as for students who engage in inappropriate behaviour, and (e) be in accordance with any further requirements established by the Minister by order. (4) An order of the Minister under subsection (1)(k) or (3)(e) must be made publicly available. 2012 cE‑0.3 s33;2019 c7 s10;2023 c9 s7;2025 c6 s10 Exemption from section 33 33.1 The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by order, exempt an accredited independent school or a class of accredited independent schools from the operation of all or part of section 33. 2019 c7 s11;2025 c6 s11 Responsibilities re parental notification and consent for preferred name and pronouns 33.2 (1) In this section, “new preferred name or pronouns” means a name or pronouns that (a) vary from the name or pronouns that teachers, teacher leaders and other school staff have regularly used when referring to the student, and (b) the student prefers for reasons related to the student’s gender identity. (2) Subject to subsection (4), if a student requests that a new preferred name or pronouns be used by teachers, teacher leaders and other school staff when referring to the student in school, the board shall notify the student’s parent of the request. (3) A teacher, teacher leader or other school staff member shall not use a new preferred name or pronouns when referring to a student in school, (a) in the case of a student who is 16 or 17 years of age, until the student’s parent is notified under subsection (2), or (b) in the case of a student who is under 16 years of age, (i) until the student’s parent is notified under subsection (2), and (ii) unless the parent provides consent for the new preferred name or pronouns to be used by teachers, teacher leaders and other school staff when referring to the student in school. (4) Where (a) notifying the student’s parent is reasonably expected to cause emotional or psychological harm to the student, or (b) the student requests access to assistance, the board shall ensure that the student is provided with counselling or other assistance before notifying the student’s parent. (5) No action lies against any of the following for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith when acting or purporting to act under this section: (a) the Crown; (b) a member or former member of the Executive Council; (c) a board, trustee, Francophone regional authority, operator of a charter school or person responsible for the operation of an independent school; (d) any current or former employee of or individual currently or formerly engaged for services by (i) the Crown, (ii) a board, (iii) a Francophone regional authority, (iv) the operator of a charter school, or (v) the person responsible for the operation of an independent school. 2024 c14 s9 Trustee responsibilities 34 A trustee of a board, as a partner in education, has the responsibility to (a) fulfil the responsibilities of the board as set out in section 33, (b) be present and participate in meetings of the board and committees of the board, (c) comply with the board’s code of conduct, and (d) engage parents, students and the community in matters related to education. Division 2 Bullying Awareness and Non‑discrimination Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week 35 (1) The 3rd week in November in each year is Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. (2) The purpose of subsection (1) is to promote awareness and understanding of bullying and its consequences in the school community. Support for student organizations 35.1 (1) If one or more students attending a school operated by a board request a staff member employed by the board for support to establish a voluntary student organization, or to lead an activity intended to promote a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging, the principal of the school shall (a) permit the establishment of the student organization or the holding of the activity at the school, and (b) designate a staff member to serve as the staff liaison to facilitate the establishment, and the ongoing operation, of the student organization or to assist in organizing the activity. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), an organization or activity includes an organization or activity that promotes equality and non‑discrimination with respect to, without limitation, race, religious belief, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, family status or sexual orientation, including but not limited to organizations such as gay‑straight alliances, diversity clubs, anti-racism clubs and anti‑bullying clubs. (3) The students may select a respectful and inclusive name for the organization, including the name “gay-straight alliance” or “queer-straight alliance”, after consulting with the principal. (4) The principal shall immediately inform the board and the Minister if no staff member is available to serve as a staff liaison referred to in subsection (1), and if so informed, the Minister shall appoint a responsible adult to work with the requesting students in organizing the activity or to facilitate the establishment, and the ongoing operation, of the student organization at the school. (5) If a staff member indicates to a principal a willingness to act as a staff liaison under subsection (1), (a) a principal shall not inform a board or the Minister under subsection (4) that no staff member is available to serve as a staff liaison, and (b) that staff member shall be deemed to be available to serve as the staff liaison. 2015 c1 s2 Division 3 Student Discipline Suspension 36 (1) A teacher or a principal may suspend a student in accordance with subsection (2) or (3) if in the opinion of the teacher or principal (a) the student has failed to comply with section 31, (b) the student has failed to comply with the code of conduct established under section 33(2), (c) the student’s conduct, whether or not the conduct occurs within the school building or during the school day, is injurious to the physical or mental well‑being of others in the school, or (d) the student has distributed an intimate image of another person in the circumstances described in section 1(1.1). (2) A teacher may suspend a student from one class period. (3) A principal may suspend a student (a) from school, (b) from one or more class periods or courses, (c) from transportation provided under section 59, or (d) from any school‑related activity. (4) When a student is suspended under subsection (3), the principal shall (a) immediately inform the student’s parent of the suspension, (b) report in writing to the student’s parent all the circumstances respecting the suspension, and (c) provide an opportunity to meet with the student’s parent, and the student if the student is 16 years of age or older, to discuss the suspension. (5) A suspension may not exceed 5 school days, except in accordance with a recommendation for expulsion made by the principal under section 37. 2012 cE‑0.3 s36;2017 cP‑26.9 s11 Expulsion 37 (1) If a student is suspended in accordance with section 36, the principal may recommend, prior to the end of the student’s suspension, that the board expel the student if (a) the student has displayed an attitude of wilful, blatant and repeated refusal to comply with section 31, (b) the student has displayed an attitude of wilful, blatant and repeated refusal to comply with the code of conduct established under section 33(2), (c) the student’s conduct, whether or not the conduct occurs within the school building or during the school day, is injurious to the physical or mental well‑being of others in the school, or (d) the student has distributed an intimate image of another person in the circumstances described in section 1(1.1). (2) If the principal recommends expulsion under subsection (1), the principal shall (a) immediately inform the board of the recommendation for expulsion, and (b) report in writing to the board all the circumstances respecting the suspension and the principal’s recommendation for expulsion, and the student remains suspended until the board has made a decision under subsection (4). (3) The student and the student’s parent may make representations to the board with respect to the principal’s recommendation to expel the student. (4) The board shall, within 10 school days after the initial date of the suspension, make a decision (a) to return the student to school, class, a course or courses, transportation provided under section 59 or a school‑related activity, or (b) to expel the student. (5) The board may expel a student under subsection (4) only if the principal has recommended that the board expel the student. (6) If a student is expelled under this section, the expulsion takes effect immediately following the board’s decision under subsection (4)(b). (7) The board may establish rules or conditions for an expelled student respecting the circumstances in which the student may be enrolled in the same or a different education program. (8) An expulsion or any rule or condition under subsection (7) may apply to a student beyond the school year in which the student was expelled. (9) When a student is expelled under this section, the board shall immediately notify, in writing, the student’s parent, and the student if the student is 16 years of age or older, (a) of the expulsion and any rules or conditions that apply to the student, and (b) of the right to request a review under section 43. (10) When a student is expelled under this section, the board shall (a) ensure that the student is provided with a supervised education program consistent with the requirements of this Act and the regulations, (b) ensure that the student is provided with supports and services in accordance with section 33(1)(e), and (c) make all reasonable efforts to ensure the attendance of the student in accordance with section 7. 2012 cE‑0.3 s37;2017 cP‑26.9 s11;2019 c7 s12 Division 4 Student Advisory Council Student advisory council 38 The Minister may establish a student advisory council consisting of as many student members appointed by the Minister as the Minister considers necessary for a term determined by the Minister. Functions of student advisory council 39 The student advisory council shall (a) at the Minister’s request, advise the Minister or consult with the Minister respecting any matter determined by the Minister, and (b) perform any duty or function assigned to the council by the Minister. Division 5 Complex Education Needs Tribunal Complex Education Needs Tribunal 40 (1) A board may determine that a student requires specialized supports and services that cannot be met in an education program that may be provided by the board under any other provision of this Act. (2) If a board makes a determination under subsection (1) in respect of a student, the board shall refer the matter to a Complex Education Needs Tribunal, which shall confirm the board’s determination or determine that the board is able to provide the student with an education program that is appropriate to the needs of the student.

(3) If a Complex Education Needs Tribunal confirms the determination of a board under subsection (1), it shall develop or approve a plan that is consistent with the needs of the student and, in accordance with that plan, shall (a) determine the relationship between the student, the board and any other person or government that may provide the services required under the plan, and (b) apportion the cost of providing the services required under the plan between the board and the Government. (4) If a Complex Education Needs Tribunal determines that a board is able to provide the student with an education program that is appropriate to the needs of the student, the board shall provide the student with that education program. (5) A board and the parent of a student in respect of whom a determination has been made under subsection (1) shall comply with a plan developed or approved by a Complex Education Needs Tribunal under this section. (6) A plan developed or approved by a Complex Education Needs Tribunal under subsection (3) or this subsection must be reviewed by the same or any other Complex Education Needs Tribunal at least every 3 years after the plan is developed or approved until the student is no longer entitled to have access to an education program under this Act. (7) The Minister may establish one or more Complex Education Needs Tribunals for the purposes of this section. (8) For the purposes of carrying out its powers under this section, a Complex Education Needs Tribunal and each of its members have the powers of a commissioner under the Public Inquiries Act . (9) A parent or a board may request in writing that the Minister review a confirmation made under subsection (2) or a plan developed or approved under subsection (3) by a Complex Education Needs Tribunal. Division 6 Dispute Resolution School dispute resolution 41 A board shall establish a policy respecting the resolution of disputes or concerns at the school level between parents and school staff that supports a co‑operative and collaborative learning environment for students. Appeal to board 42 (1) The failure of a person to make a decision is deemed to be a decision that may be appealed under this section. (2) Where a decision that significantly affects the education of a student or of a child enrolled in an early childhood services program operated by the board is made by an employee of the board or an employee authorized by the board under section 52(1) to make a decision, (a) a parent of the student or child, and (b) in the case of a student who is 16 years of age or older, either a parent of the student or the student, may appeal that decision to the board within a reasonable time from the date that the parent or student was informed of the decision. (3) Prior to appealing a decision to the board under subsection (2), a parent of the student or child or, where subsection (2)(b) applies, the student, must have followed the school dispute resolution policy established by the board under section 41. (4) A person who may review a student record under section 56 may appeal to a board a decision of an employee of the board respecting access to or the accuracy or completeness of the student record within a reasonable time from the date that the person was informed of the decision. (5) For the purposes of hearing appeals under this section, a board shall establish an appeal procedure by resolution. (6) A board may establish one or more committees for the purposes of carrying out the board’s responsibilities under this section. (7) A board may make any decision that it considers appropriate in respect of the matter that is appealed to it under this section. (8) A board shall make a decision under this section forthwith after receiving a notice of an application for an appeal and shall report that decision, in writing, to the person making the appeal forthwith. Request for review by the Minister 43 (1) If a board makes a decision, on an appeal to it or otherwise, with respect to (a) the provision of specialized supports and services to a student in accordance with section 11(4) or to a child enrolled in an early childhood services program, or (b) the expulsion of a student, a parent of a student or child affected by the decision, and the student if the student is 16 years of age or older, may request in writing that the Minister review the decision. (2) A request under subsection (1) must be made within 60 days of the date on which the parent or the student, if the student is 16 years of age or older, is informed of the decision. (3) Where a dispute arises as to which board is responsible for a student or child referred to in this section, a board or other person that is a party to the dispute may request in writing that the Minister review the matter. (4) A person who may review a student record under section 56 may request in writing that the Minister review a decision of the board, made on an appeal to it or otherwise, respecting access to or the accuracy or completeness of the student record. Review by the Minister 44 (1) The Minister may review a matter as requested in accordance with this Act or the regulations and may review the matter in any manner the Minister considers appropriate in order to determine whether the decision of the board was reasonable in the circumstances. (2) Where the Minister reviews a matter under subsection (1), the Minister may, subject to this Act and the regulations, make whatever decision with respect to the matter in dispute appears to the Minister to be appropriate in the circumstances, and that decision is final. (3) The Minister may, by regulation, set out the circumstances in which the Minister will review a matter and the manner in which reviews will be conducted. Division 7 Attendance Board Establishment of Attendance Board 45 The Minister may, by order, establish an Attendance Board consisting of as many members appointed by the Minister as the Minister considers necessary and designate from among the members a chair and one or more vice‑chairs. Referral to Attendance Board 46 The Attendance Board may hear a matter referred to it pursuant to section 9 respecting the failure of a student to attend school as required under this Act. Mediation by Attendance Board 47 (1) Where a matter is referred to the Attendance Board by a board or the person responsible for the operation of an independent school, the Attendance Board may attempt to mediate the matter by means of a case conference with the student, the student’s parent and school staff. (2) In the event that a case conference conducted pursuant to subsection (1) does not successfully resolve the matter, the Attendance Board may schedule a formal hearing of the Attendance Board in accordance with section 48. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where a matter is referred to the Attendance Board by a board or the person responsible for the operation of an independent school, the Attendance Board may proceed directly to schedule a formal hearing of the Attendance Board in accordance with section 48. 2012 cE-0.3 s47;2025 c6 s12 Hearing before Attendance Board 48 (1) For the purposes of conducting a hearing before the Attendance Board, the following applies: (a) notice in writing of the date, time, place and purpose of the hearing must be served at least 7 days before the commencement of the hearing on the parent of the student, on the student who is the subject of the hearing, if the student is capable of understanding the situation, and on any other person the Attendance Board directs; (b) the Attendance Board has, with respect to the holding of a hearing, the same power as is vested in the Court of King’s Bench for the trial of civil actions (i) to summon and enforce the attendance of witnesses, (ii) to compel witnesses to give evidence on oath or otherwise, and (iii) to compel witnesses to produce documents, records and things; (c) the Attendance Board may require a board or a person responsible for the operation of an independent school to produce to the Attendance Board, prior to a hearing, copies of all reports, statements, correspondence and other documents or things relating to the matter being heard; (d) if a person fails to attend, to answer questions or to produce an item as required under clause (b) or (c) or subsection (2) or (3), the Attendance Board may apply to the Court of King’s Bench for an order committing that person for contempt in the same manner as if that person were in breach of an order or judgment of that Court; (e) the Attendance Board shall receive any evidence presented to it that is relevant to the matter being heard; (f) the rules of evidence applicable to judicial proceedings do not apply; (g) all oral evidence received must be taken down in writing or recorded by electronic means; (h) all the evidence taken down in writing or recorded by electronic means and all documentary evidence and things received in evidence at a hearing form the record of the proceeding; (i) a person on whom notice of the hearing is served and the person’s counsel or agent are entitled to examine the record of the proceeding; (j) the Attendance Board may from time to time adjourn matters that are before the Board; (k) a hearing must be held in public; (l) notwithstanding clause (k), a hearing or any portion of it may be held in private if, in the opinion of the Attendance Board, it is in the public interest to do so; (m) a person who is likely to be affected by a hearing before the Attendance Board is entitled (i) to appear before the Attendance Board, (ii) to be represented by counsel or an agent, and (iii) to make representations to the Attendance Board; (n) a witness attending a proceeding before the Attendance Board may be paid the same fees and allowances as a witness summoned to attend at the Court of Justice; (o) notice of every order together with a copy of the written reasons for it, if any, must promptly be sent to (i) a person on whom notice of the hearing was served, and (ii) any person that the Attendance Board considers is substantially affected by it. (2) The Attendance Board may require the student or a parent of the student, or both, to attend proceedings before the Attendance Board. (3) Any person other than the student and a parent of the student who, in the opinion of the Attendance Board, has knowledge of the matter before the Attendance Board is a compellable witness in proceedings before the Attendance Board. (4) Notice under this section may be served personally on the person required to be served or by being sent to that person by registered or certified mail. 2012 cE-0.3 s48;AR 217/2022;AR 75/2023;2025 c6 s12 Order of Attendance Board 49 (1) On hearing a matter referred to it, the Attendance Board may, subject to any terms or conditions that the Attendance Board considers proper in the circumstances, make an order doing one or more of the following: (a) directing the student to attend school; (b) directing a parent of the student to send the student to school; (c) subject to sections 11, 20 and 40, directing the student to take an education program set out in the order; (d) reporting the matter to a child intervention worker under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act ; (e) imposing on a parent of the student a monetary penalty not exceeding $100 per day to be paid to the Crown for each day that the student does not attend school, up to a maximum of $1000; (f) giving any other direction not referred to in clauses (a) to (e) that the Attendance Board considers appropriate in the circumstances. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Attendance Board may at any time during the proceedings (a) make an interim order giving any directions to the student, a parent of the student, the board or the person responsible for the operation of the independent school that the Attendance Board considers appropriate in the circumstances, (b) adjourn the proceedings before it for a period set by the Attendance Board, and (c) reconvene the proceedings to hear further evidence, if the Attendance Board considers it necessary to do so, consider the interim order and make a final order under subsection (1). (3) A copy of an order of the Attendance Board made under subsection (1) may be filed with the clerk of the Court of King’s Bench at the judicial centre closest to the place where the cause of the proceedings before the Attendance Board arose. (4) On the filing of a copy of an order with the clerk of the Court of King’s Bench pursuant to subsection (3), the order of the Attendance Board has the same force and effect as if the order were an order of that Court. (5) A copy of the order as filed must be sent to the Minister and any person to whom notice of the order is sent. 2012 cE‑0.3 s49;2019 c7 s13;AR 217/2022;2025 c6 s13 Attendance Board panels 50 (1) The chair or a vice‑chair of the Attendance Board may designate a panel consisting of (a) one member, or (b) 3 or more members. (2) Where a panel consists of 3 or more members, 2 members constitutes a quorum at a sitting of a panel of the Attendance Board. (3) A decision made or other action taken at a sitting of a panel of the Attendance Board at which a quorum is present (a) is the decision or action of the Attendance Board, and (b) binds all members of the Attendance Board. (4) A panel of the Attendance Board has, with respect to its duties, the jurisdiction of the Attendance Board and may exercise all the powers of the Attendance Board under this Act and the regulations. (5) The chair may designate a member of a panel of the Attendance Board to preside at any sitting of the panel at which the chair is not present. (6) A panel of the Attendance Board shall conduct its sittings separately from those of another panel of the Attendance Board being conducted at the same time. (7) Where a hearing is conducted by a panel of the Attendance Board and one or more members of the panel for any reason do not attend on any day or part of a day, the remaining members present may, if they constitute a quorum of the panel, continue with the hearing. Part 4 Board Powers and Elections Division 1 Board Powers Natural person powers 51 (1) A board has the capacity and, subject to this Act and the regulations, the rights, powers and privileges of a natural person. (2) With respect to any right, power or privilege exercisable by a board, the Minister may, by regulation, (a) prohibit or restrict the use of the right, power or privilege; (b) provide that the right, power or privilege is to be exercised subject to any terms or conditions prescribed in the regulations. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a board shall not engage in or carry on any activity that is not consistent with the responsibilities of a board as set out in section 33. Delegation of power 52 (1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), a board may authorize (a) any of its employees, (b) a committee of the board or a committee established by the board, or (c) a school council, to do any act or thing or exercise any power that the board may do or exercise or is required to do or exercise. (2) An authorization by a board under subsection (1) must be in the form of a resolution of the board. (3) For the purposes of this Act, the doing of an act or thing or the exercise of a power by an employee of the board, a committee of the board, a committee established by the board or a school council authorized by a board under subsection (1) is deemed to be the doing of the act or thing or the exercise of the power by the board. (4) A board shall not delegate (a) the power to make a bylaw under this Act, (b) the power to close a school or school building under section 62, (c) the power to requisition from a municipality that the board may have from time to time, or (d) the power to hold a hearing under section 212. (5) A board shall not delegate, except to a superintendent employed by the board, (a) the power to suspend the services of a teacher, or (b) the power to terminate the services of a teacher. General powers and duties of boards 53 (1) A board shall (a) establish, maintain and implement policies necessary for fulfilling its responsibilities under section 33, (b) ensure that all policies are available and accessible to students, parents, board employees and others affected by the policies, (c) in co‑operation with school councils, provide for parental and community engagement in schools, and (d) maintain, repair, furnish and keep in good order all its real and personal property. (2) A board may (a) subject to section 18 and any regulations under this Act, develop, acquire or offer courses or programs, (b) subject to sections 18 and 18.1 and any regulations under this Act, develop or acquire instructional materials for use in courses or programs or in schools, and (c) make policies, subject to any regulations under this Act, respecting the establishment, administration, management and operation of (i) schools operated by the board, or (ii) school buses and other vehicles used for the purposes of the board. 2012 cE-0.3 s53;2024 c14 s10 Joint use and planning agreements 53.1 (1) Repealed 2025 c6 s14. (2) Where on the coming into force of this section a board is operating within the municipal boundaries of one or more municipalities, the board must, within 3 years after this section comes into force, or if the Minister extends that period under subsection (4), within the extended period, enter into a joint use and planning agreement with each of the municipalities. (3) Where after the coming into force of this section a board commences operating within the municipal boundaries of a municipality, the board must, within 3 years after it commences operating in the municipality, or if the Minister extends that period under subsection (4), within the extended period, enter into a joint use and planning agreement with the municipality. (4) The Minister may extend the 3-year period under subsection (2) or (3) in respect of all boards or one or more specified boards. (5) More than one board may be a party to a joint use and planning agreement. (6) A joint use and planning agreement may be amended from time to time as the parties consider necessary or advisable. (7) Nothing in subsection (2) or (3) requires a board to enter into a joint use and planning agreement with any municipality that is, under a regulation made under section 670.1(6) of the Municipal Government Act , exempt from entering into a joint use and planning agreement with a board. (8) The Minister may make regulations respecting joint use and planning agreement criteria, requirements and exemptions and any other matters respecting joint use and planning agreements. 2019 c22 s2;2025 c6 s14 Insurance and investment 54 (1) A board shall, in respect of its operations, keep in force adequate and appropriate policies of insurance for the purpose of, at a minimum, indemnifying the board and its employees and school councils in respect of claims for (a) damages for death or personal injury, (b) damage to property, and (c) damage to property owned by the board in respect of which the board has an insurable interest (i) that the board has agreed to insure, or (ii) for which the board otherwise has or may have assumed liability. (2) A board may invest only in accordance with the regulations made under subsection (3)(b). (3) The Minister may make regulations (a) governing the requirement of boards to (i) acquire insurance, or (ii) take part in schemes or arrangements to protect the board and its teachers and other employees with respect to loss or legal liability; (b) respecting the investment of money for the purpose of subsection (2). School council 55 (1) For each school operated by a board, a school council must be established in accordance with the regulations. (2) The majority of the members of a school council must be parents of students enrolled in the school. (3) A board of a separate school division may by resolution require that the parents of students enrolled in a school operated by the board who are members of the school council declare themselves to be of the same faith as the electors of the separate school division, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic. (4) A school council may, at its discretion, (a) advise the principal and the board respecting any matter relating to the school, (b) perform any duty or function delegated to it by the board in accordance with the delegation, (c) consult with the principal so that the principal may ensure that students in the school have the opportunity to meet the standards of education set by the Minister, (d) consult with the principal so that the principal may ensure that the fiscal management of the school is in accordance with the requirements of the board and the superintendent, and (e) do anything it is authorized under the regulations to do. (5) Subject to the regulations, a school council may establish and implement policies in the school that the school council considers necessary to carry out its functions. (6) A school council may make bylaws governing its meetings and the conduct of its affairs. (7) Subject to the regulations, a board may establish and implement policies respecting school councils. (8) A board shall establish a dispute resolution process to address disputes between the principal and the school council with respect to policies proposed or adopted for a school. (9) The Minister, on the request of the board, may dissolve a school council without notice at any time if the Minister is of the opinion that the school council is not carrying out its responsibilities in accordance with this Act and the regulations. (10) Where a school council has been dissolved by the Minister pursuant to subsection (9), a school council must, in accordance with the regulations, be established after the start of the school year immediately following the year in which the school council was dissolved. (11) The Minister may make regulations (a) respecting the establishment of school councils, the election or appointment of the members of a school council, the term or other conditions of election or appointment and the dissolution of a school council; (b) respecting the roles of the principal and the school council of a school and their respective powers, duties and responsibilities; (c) respecting the re-establishment of school councils that have been dissolved by the Minister pursuant to subsection (9); (d) respecting any other matter the Minister considers necessary respecting school councils; (e) exempting a school or class of schools from the application of this section. Student records 56 (1) A board shall establish and maintain in accordance with the regulations a student record for (a) each student enrolled in a school operated by the board, and (b) each child or student enrolled in an early childhood services program provided by the board. (2) A person, other than a board, providing an early childhood services program to a child shall establish and maintain in accordance with the regulations a student record for each child enrolled in the early childhood services program. (3) The following persons may review the student record maintained in respect of a student or a child enrolled in an early childhood services program: (a) the student; (b) the student’s parent, except where the student is an independent student; (c) the parent of a child enrolled in an early childhood services program. (4) A person who is entitled to review a student record under subsection (3) may submit a request for a copy of the student record, along with any associated fee, to the board or a person other than the board providing an early childhood services program, and the board or the person other than the board providing the early childhood services program shall provide a copy of the student record to the person. (5) A person who provides information to a student record is exempt from any liability with respect to the provision of that information if that person, in providing that information, (a) acted in good faith, (b) acted within the scope of that person’s duties and responsibilities, and (c) did not act in a negligent manner. (6) If, on reviewing a student record, a person who is entitled to review the student record is of the opinion that the student record contains inaccurate or incomplete information, that person may request that the board or the person other than the board providing an early childhood services program rectify the matter. (7) Where in accordance with the regulations a board or a person other than a board providing an early childhood services program is required to transfer a student record, the board or the person other than the board providing the early childhood services program shall do so in a timely manner. (8) The Minister may make regulations respecting student records for students and children referred to in subsections (1) and (2). 2012 cE‑0.3 s56;2015 c6 s12;2019 c7 s14 School fees 57 (1) Notwithstanding section 13, a board may charge a parent of a student fees in accordance with the regulations. (2) The Minister may make regulations respecting school fees. Religious and patriotic instruction or exercises 58 (1) A board may (a) prescribe religious instruction to be offered to its students; (b) prescribe religious exercises for its students; (c) prescribe patriotic instruction to be offered to its students; (d) prescribe patriotic exercises for its students; (e) permit persons other than teachers to provide religious instruction or exercises to its students. (2) Where a teacher or other person providing religious instruction or exercises or a teacher providing patriotic instruction or exercises receives a written request signed by a parent of a student that the student be excluded from religious instruction or exercises or patriotic instruction or exercises, or both, the teacher or other person shall, in accordance with the request of the parent, permit the student (a) to leave the classroom or place where the instruction or exercises are taking place for the duration of the instruction or exercises, or (b) to remain in the classroom or place without taking part in the instruction or exercises. Notice to parent 58.1 (1) A board shall provide notice to a parent of a student where courses, programs of study or instructional materials, or instruction or exercises, include subject‑matter that deals primarily and explicitly with religion. (2) Where a teacher or other person providing instruction, teaching a course or program of study or using the instructional materials referred to in subsection (1) receives a written request signed by a parent of a student that the student be excluded from the instruction, course or program of study or use of instructional materials, the teacher or other person shall, in accordance with the request of the parent, permit the student, without academic penalty, (a) to leave the classroom or place where the instruction, course or program of study is taking place or the instructional materials are being used for the duration of the part of the instruction, course or program of study, or the use of the instructional materials, that includes the subject-matter referred to in subsection (1), or (b) to remain in the classroom or place without taking part in the instruction, course or program of study or using the instructional materials. (3) This section does not apply to incidental or indirect references to religion or religious themes in a course, program of study, instruction or exercises or in the use of instructional materials. 2015 c1 s2;2024 c14 s11 Notice and consent re gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality instruction 58.11 (1) A board shall, in accordance with the policies established under section 58.12, provide notice to, and seek the consent of, a parent of a student where courses, programs of study or instructional materials, or instruction or exercises, include subject‑matter that deals primarily and explicitly with gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality. (2) A board shall provide notice to the parent of a student at least 30 days before the start of a course, program of study or instruction, or the first use of instructional materials or an exercise, referred to in subsection (1). (3) No board or teacher shall permit a student to take part in a course, program of study or instruction, or use instructional materials or an exercise, referred to in subsection (1) unless the parent of the student has, before the start of the course, program of study or instruction, or before the first use of the instructional materials or exercise, provided consent for the student to do so in accordance with the policies established under section 58.12. (4) Where no consent has been provided under this section in respect of a student, the teacher shall arrange for alternate instruction or supervision for the student outside the classroom or place where the course, program of study or instruction will take place or the instructional materials or exercise will be used. (5) This section does not apply to incidental or indirect references to gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality in a course, program of study, instruction or exercises or in the use of instructional materials. (6) Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to require the provision of notice to, or the seeking of consent of, the parent of a student for any participation by the student in a student organization established, or activity held, under section 35.1. 2024 c14 s12 Parental notification and consent policies 58.12 (1) A board shall establish and implement policies respecting the provision of notice to, and the seeking of consent of, a parent of a student under section 58.11. (2) The policies established under subsection (1) must (a) address the following matters: (i) the form and manner of the provision of notice under section 58.11(2); (ii) the frequency and timing of the provision of notice under section 58.11(2); (iii) the form and manner of the seeking of consent under section 58.11(3), which must (A) include sufficient detail to enable the parent of a student to make an informed decision under section 58.11(3), and (B) provide the parent of a student with the option to consent to the student (I) taking part in all or part of a course or program of study or instruction, or (II) using all or part of instructional materials or an exercise referred to in section 58.11; (iv) any matters specified by the Minister under subsection (3), and (b) be made publicly available. (3) The Minister may specify other matters that must be addressed in the policies established under subsection (1). 2024 c14 s12 Declaration re Charter, Bill of Rights and Human Rights Act 58.13 Sections 18(1)(d.1) and (d.2), 18.1, 33.2, 58.11 and 58.12 shall operate notwithstanding (a) sections 2 and 7 to 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms , (b) the Alberta Bill of Rights , and (c) the Alberta Human Rights Act . 2025 c24 s1 Non‑compliance 58.2 (1) If a board, teacher or other person fails to comply with section 58, 58.1 or 58.11, that failure to comply is deemed to be a decision that may be appealed in accordance with section 42. (2) A decision of the board under section 42 with respect to an appeal relating to subsection (1) is final. 2015 c1 s2;2024 c14 s13 Transportation 59 (1) Subject to the regulations, a board must provide for the transportation of a student to and from the site of the school in which the board has enrolled the student if (a) the student resides within the attendance area established by the board for the school, (b) the student resides within the boundaries of the school division, and (c) the criteria, if any, set out in the regulations are met. (2) Where in the opinion of the Minister it is reasonable to do so, the Minister may direct a board to co-operate with another board with respect to the transportation of students. (3) Subject to the regulations, a board may charge the parent of a student receiving transportation provided by the board any fee determined by the board. (4) Repealed 2019 c7 s15. (5) The Minister may make regulations (a) setting out criteria respecting the transportation of students that must be met by boards including criteria related to the age or grade of the student, the distance from the student’s residence to the site of the school and any other geographical considerations; (b) respecting the transportation of students generally. 2012 cE‑0.3 s59;2019 c7 s15 Transport by parent 59.1 (1) A board may, instead of providing transportation under section 59, enter into an agreement with the parent of the student under which the parent will (a) convey the student to and from school or the bus route, and (b) receive payment, as determined by the board, for providing that service. (2) A board is not under any liability to the parent of a student or to a student for negligence arising out of the student’s being conveyed to and from school or the bus route pursuant to an agreement made under this section. 2019 c7 s16 School day and year 60 A board shall determine and make publicly available for each school year the days, dates and number of days of school operation. Flags 61 A board shall ensure that the Canadian flag and the Alberta flag are displayed at each school operated by the board. Closure of schools 62 (1) A board may, only by resolution, permanently or temporarily (a) close a school, or (b) transfer students from one school building to another school building. (2) A board shall establish, implement and make publicly available policies respecting the actions referred to in subsection (1). (3) A policy established pursuant to subsection (2) must be consistent with any regulations made by the Minister under this section. (4) Where a board is considering an action referred to in subsection (1), the board shall, in writing, notify (a) the parents of every student enrolled in the school that may be affected by the action considered under subsection (1), and (b) any other person, municipality or community organization who, in the opinion of the board, may be significantly affected. (5) A policy established pursuant to subsection (2) related to the permanent closure of a school must provide for (a) adequate opportunity for the public to respond to the board’s proposal to permanently close a school, (b) a process by which the board shall fairly consider responses provided under clause (a), (c) consideration of future growth or decline in student enrolment, and (d) consideration of possible alternative educational or community uses for all or part of the school building. (6) Where a board decides to close a school permanently, the board shall notify the Minister in writing forthwith and include (a) the name of the school, and (b) the effective date of the closure. (7) This section does not apply where the Minister directs a board to dispose of a school building pursuant to section 192. (8) The Minister may make regulations with respect to the permanent or temporary closure of schools by a board. Education services agreements for First Nations students 63 (1) In this section, “Indian” means Indian as defined in the Indian Act (Canada). (2) The Minister may, by order, establish requirements or standards that apply to education services agreements between a board and (a) the Government of Canada or an agent of the Government of Canada, or (b) a council of a band as defined in the Indian Act (Canada) or a person authorized by the council of a band, for the education of Indian children. (3) Where a board enters into an agreement with respect to the education of Indian children pursuant to subsection (2), the agreement must meet the requirements or standards established by the Minister. (4) The Regulations Act does not apply to an order made under subsection (2). 2012 cE‑0.3 s63;2015 c6 s13 Division 2 Board Procedures Open meetings 64 (1) The meetings of a board must be held in public and no person may be excluded from them except for improper conduct. (2) The chair of the board may cause to be excluded from a meeting any person who, in the opinion of the chair, is guilty of improper conduct at that meeting. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), when a majority of the trustees present at a meeting of the board are of the opinion that it is in the public interest to hold the meeting or a part of the meeting in private for the purpose of considering any matter, the board may by resolution exclude any person from the meeting. (4) When a meeting is held in private, the board does not have the power to pass a bylaw or resolution at that meeting except the resolution necessary to revert to an open meeting. Inspection of documents 65 (1) At any reasonable time, an elector of a school division may with respect to the board of that school division inspect any one or more of the following items: (a) the agenda of any public meeting or board meeting; (b) the minutes of any public meeting or board meeting; (c) a budget adopted by the board; (d) a bylaw of the board; (e) an agreement entered into by the board; (f) an account of the board; (g) a financial statement prepared pursuant to a requirement of this Act. (2) An elector of a school division may request from the board of that school division a copy of any item that the elector is entitled to inspect under subsection (1) and the secretary of the board shall provide or, on request, send the copy of the item to the elector on receiving payment for it at the rate prescribed by the board. (3) An elector may not inspect a student record or information respecting a particular employee unless that information is included in financial statements of the board prepared under this or any other Act. Requests to provide information 66 (1) A board shall provide the Minister in writing with any information the Minister requests. (2) Subject to Part 1, Division 2 of the Protection of Privacy Act , the Minister may publish or otherwise disseminate any information the Minister receives under subsection (1). 2012 cE-0.3 s66;AR 141/2025 Accountability of board 67 (1) A board shall develop and implement a reporting and accountability system on any matter the Minister prescribes. (2) A board shall disseminate any information in the reports and accounts produced under the reporting and accountability system it develops under subsection (1) to students, parents, electors or the Minister in the manner the Minister prescribes. (3) A board shall use any information in the reports and accounts produced under the reporting and accountability system it develops under subsection (1) in the manner the Minister prescribes. Secretary and treasurer 68 A board shall (a) appoint a secretary and a treasurer, or one person to act as secretary‑treasurer, (b) immediately notify the Minister of the appointment, and (c) arrange for the bonding of the treasurer or the secretary‑treasurer, as the case may be, in an amount that is reasonable in the circumstances. Regulations 69 The Minister may make regulations (a) respecting board governance and administrative procedures; (b) respecting the reporting and accountability requirements for boards for the purposes of section 67; (c) respecting the collection, use, disclosure, disposal and destruction of personal information as defined in the Protection of Privacy Act by the Minister, a board or a person responsible for the operation of a charter school. 2012 cE-0.3 s69;AR 141/2025 Division 3 Investigation and Inquiry Investigation 70 (1) Where, in the opinion of the Minister, there is reason to believe that a board is not fulfilling its responsibilities under section 33, the Minister may appoint a person to investigate the management, administration and operation of the board. (2) Where, in the opinion of the Minister, there is reason to believe that (a) an independent school is not being operated in compliance with this Act and the regulations, (b) an independent school does not have the capacity to deliver an appropriate education program to its students, (c) students enrolled in an independent school are not achieving acceptable educational progress, or (d) an independent school permits courses or programs of study or instructional materials that do not comply with section 16 to be offered or used at the school, the Minister may appoint a person to investigate the management, administration and operation of the independent school. (3) Where, in the opinion of the Minister, there is reason to believe that a person, other than a board, providing an early childhood services program is failing to comply with this Act and the regulations, the Minister may appoint a person to investigate the management, administration and operation of the early childhood services program. (4) In any circumstance not referred to in subsections (1) to (3), where the Minister considers it appropriate, the Minister may appoint a person to investigate into and report to the Minister on the financial condition, or any other matter connected with the management, administration and operation, of a board, an independent school or a person providing an early childhood services program. (5) A person appointed under this section may examine and take copies of (a) all records and accounts, (b) all bank statements, and (c) any other documents or things, including those in electronic form. (6) The records, accounts, bank statements, documents and things referred to in subsection (5) must be made available to the person appointed under this section at the time the person requests them from the person who has custody of them. (7) A person appointed under this section may take evidence on oath. (8) If the Minister so provides in the appointment, a person appointed under this section has all the powers, privileges and immunities of a commissioner appointed under the Public Inquiries Act . (9) A person appointed under this section shall report to the Minister on the results of the investigation, and on receipt of the report the Minister may make any order that the Minister considers appropriate. 2012 cE‑0.3 s70;2015 c6 s14;2025 c6 s15 71 Repealed 2015 c6 s14. Official trustee 72 (1) The Minister may appoint an official trustee to conduct the affairs of a board, subject to any terms and conditions the Minister considers necessary, when (a) a board fails to comply with an order made under section 70, or (b) the Minister considers it in the public interest to do so. (2) An official trustee appointed under subsection (1) (a) has the powers and duties conferred by this Act on a board, (b) is to be remunerated out of the funds of the board or otherwise as the Lieutenant Governor in Council determines, and (c) with the prior approval of the Minister, has the power to borrow money and pass a bylaw. (3) On the appointment of an official trustee to conduct the affairs of a board, the members of the board cease to hold office as members of that board. (4) An official trustee holds office during the pleasure of the Minister. 2012 cE‑0.3 s72;2015 c6 s15 Division 4 Elections and Trustees Procedure for elections, etc. 73 All (a) general elections, by‑elections, polls and plebiscites, (b) votes on bylaws or money bylaws, and (c) votes on any other matters or questions held pursuant to this Act are to be governed by this Act and the Local Authorities Election Act . Eligibility 74 (1) In addition to sections 48(1) and (1.1) and 48.1 of the Local Authorities Election Act , this section applies to determine whether an individual is a resident of a public school division or a separate school division for the purposes of determining eligibility to vote or to be nominated as a candidate for election as a trustee of a school board under the Local Authorities Election Act . (2) Subject to subsection (3), for the purposes of subsection (1), an individual is a resident of the school division in which the individual resides. (3) Where a separate school district is established, an individual residing within the boundaries of the separate school district is a resident of the separate school division if the individual declares that the individual is of the same faith as those who established the separate school district, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic. (4) Notwithstanding the Local Authorities Election Act , a resident of a separate school division is eligible (a) to vote for, and (b) to be nominated as a candidate for election as, a trustee of the board of either the public school division or the separate school division in which the person’s residence is located, but not both. (5) Notwithstanding section 4.1, for the purposes of this section as it applies to an election held in 2025 or 2026 in a school division that is wholly or partly within the Municipality of Jasper, an individual is deemed to be a resident of the school division and a ward that is wholly or partly within the Municipality of Jasper if the individual makes a signed statement in accordance with section 48.1(3) of the Local Authorities Election Act . 2012 cE‑0.3 s74;2015 c6 s16;2025 c6 s16 Oath of office 75 Every trustee shall (a) take and subscribe to the official oath prescribed by the Oaths of Office Act before commencing the trustee’s duties, and (b) deposit the oath with the secretary of the board. Establishment of wards 76 (1) The board of a school division may by bylaw (a) provide for the nomination and election of trustees by wards and determine the boundaries of the wards, or (b) provide for the election of trustees by the general vote of the electors. (2) A bylaw passed under this section (a) does not apply to the general election next following the passing of the bylaw unless it is passed before December 31 in the year prior to that general election being held, and (b) does not apply to or affect the composition of the board until the date of the next general election to which the bylaw applies. (2.1) Subject to subsection (2.2), a board shall provide a copy of a bylaw passed under this section to the Minister as soon as possible after the bylaw is passed. (2.2) A board shall provide a copy of a bylaw passed under this section to the Minister before December 31 in the year prior to an election year. (3) A bylaw passed under this section must, if practicable, provide that the number of trustees to be elected in each ward is in the same proportion to the total number of trustees of the board as the population of the ward is to the population of the school division. (4) A board shall establish, implement and make publicly available a policy respecting the considerations and process used by the board to determine ward structures. (5) The Minister may make regulations respecting (a) the nomination and election of trustees by wards or electoral subdivisions; (b) the partition of a school division into wards. 2012 cE‑0.3 s76;2015 c6 s17;2019 c7 s17 Board establishment 77 (1) For each public school division, the Minister shall by order establish a board, and the members of the board are a corporation with a name in the following form: The Board of Trustees of _____________ School Division. (2) For each separate school division, the Minister shall by order establish a board, and the members of the board are a corporation with a name in the following form: The Board of Trustees of _____________ Separate School Division. Number of trustees 78 (1) The Minister shall specify for each board the number of trustees, being no fewer than 3, to be elected to the board. (2) The Minister may vary the number of trustees to be elected for each school division. Change of name 79 A board of trustees may, by resolution, change its corporate name to another name that is approved by the Minister.

Resignations 80 (1) A trustee may resign by submitting the trustee’s written resignation to the secretary of the board at the beginning of a meeting of the board, and the trustee ceases to hold office at that time. (2) If all the trustees of a board wish to resign at the same time, they may resign by transmitting to the Minister a notice in writing to that effect, and their resignation is effective on the date on which their successors are elected or appointed. Filling vacancies 81 (1) If a vacancy occurs on a board of 6 or more trustees, the board shall make provision to fill the vacancy by holding a by‑election. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where a vacancy occurs on a board of 6 or more trustees (a) during the 3‑year period immediately following a general election, a by‑election need not be held if there is only one vacancy on the board, and (b) during the 4th year following a general election, a by‑election need not be held unless the number of vacancies on the board reduces the board to a number that is less than the quorum of the board plus one. (3) If a board consists of 5 trustees or fewer, the board shall provide for the filling of all vacancies that occur prior to the last 6 months of the term by holding a by‑election. (4) When the Minister increases the number of trustees on a board, the board shall make provision to fill the new vacancies by holding a by‑election unless the increase is made in the 4th year following a general election. 2012 cE‑0.3 s81;2015 c6 s18 Failure to elect trustee, etc. 82 (1) Where 2 attempts to fill a vacancy on a board have been made and no nominations have been put forward, whether as part of a general election or a by‑election held in accordance with section 81, the Minister may, in consultation with the board, appoint a trustee to fill that vacancy. (2) A person appointed by the Minister under subsection (1) is in the same position as the person would have been had the person been elected under any other provision of this Act. Direction to official trustee to hold by‑election 83 When (a) an official trustee has been appointed under this Act to conduct the affairs and business of a board, and (b) the Minister considers that the official trustee has completed the official trustee’s duties, the Minister may direct the official trustee to hold a by‑election to fill the vacancies on the board. Appointment of First Nations trustee 84 (1) Where a board has entered into one or more education services agreements pursuant to section 63, (a) the board, by resolution, or (b) the Minister, at the request of the board or in consultation with the board and the band, may appoint a trustee to represent First Nations students and parents on the board. (2) A person appointed by the board or the Minister under subsection (1) is in the same position as the person would have been had the person been elected under any other provision of this Act. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), where a trustee appointed under this section resigns or is disqualified under section 87, the board is not required to comply with the obligations set out in section 81. (4) A person appointed by the board or the Minister under subsection (1) is in addition to the number of trustees specified by the Minister under section 78. (5) The number of trustees appointed to a board under this section may not exceed 1/3 of the number of trustees specified by the Minister under section 78 for that board. Division 5 Conflict of Interest and Disqualification Pecuniary interest 85 (1) In this Division, (a) “corporation”, “distributing corporation”, “shareholder”, “voting shares”, “voting rights”, “director” and “officer” have the meanings given to them in the Business Corporations Act ; (b) “pecuniary interest” means, with respect to a person, an interest in a matter that could monetarily affect (i) the person, (ii) a corporation, other than a distributing corporation, in which the person is a shareholder, director or officer, (iii) a distributing corporation in which the person beneficially owns voting shares carrying at least 10% of the voting rights attached to the voting shares of the corporation or of which the person is a director or officer, (iv) a partnership or firm of which the person is a member, or (v) a corporation, partnership, firm, government or person that employs the person; (c) “spouse” means the spouse of a married person but does not include a spouse who is living separate and apart from the person if the person and spouse have separated pursuant to a written separation agreement or if their support obligations and family property have been dealt with by a court order. (2) For the purposes of this Division except section 86(1), the pecuniary interests of the spouse or adult interdependent partner of a person that are known to the person or of which the person reasonably should know are deemed to be the pecuniary interests of the person. (3) For the purposes of this Division, a person does not have a pecuniary interest by reason only of any interest that the person may have (a) as an elector or taxpayer of the school division, (b) as a parent of a student or a child enrolled in an early childhood services program in the school divisions, (c) by reason of (i) the person’s appointment by the board as a director of a company incorporated for the purpose of carrying on business for and on behalf of the board, or (ii) the person’s appointment as the representative of the board on any commission, committee or other body, (d) with respect to any allowance, honorarium, remuneration or benefit to which the person may be entitled by reason of being a trustee or an employee of a board or by reason of having been appointed by the board to a position described in clause (c), (e) by reason of the person’s employment by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta or a federal or provincial Crown corporation or agency, except with respect to a matter directly affecting the department, corporation or agency of which the person is an employee, (f) by reason of the person’s being a member of a credit union, a cooperative or a non‑profit organization formed under an Act of the Legislature or of the Parliament of Canada, (g) by reason of the person’s having an interest that is an interest in common (i) with the majority of electors of the school division, or (ii) in respect of a matter that affects only part of the school division, with the majority of electors in that part, or (h) by reason of an interest that is so remote or insignificant that it cannot reasonably be regarded as likely to influence the person. (4) Subsection (3)(f) does not apply to a person who is an employee or director of a credit union or cooperative or an employee of a non-profit organization referred to in that clause. 2012 cE‑0.3 s85;2014 c8 s17 Disclosure of information 86 (1) Each trustee of a board shall file with the board’s secretary a statement showing (a) the names and employment information of the trustee and the trustee’s spouse or adult interdependent partner, (b) the names of the corporations, partnerships, firms, governments or persons in which the trustee has a pecuniary interest, and (c) the names of the corporations, partnerships, firms, governments or persons in which the trustee’s spouse or adult interdependent partner or children under 18 years of age have a pecuniary interest. (2) The board’s secretary shall (a) compile a list of all the names reported on the statements filed with the secretary, and (b) provide a copy of the list to (i) all the trustees of the board, and (ii) the officials and employees of the board that the board directs shall receive a copy. Disqualification of trustees 87 (1) A person is disqualified from remaining as a trustee of a board if that person (a) other than a person appointed under section 84(1), ceases to be qualified for nomination as a trustee under the Local Authorities Election Act ; (b) is an auditor or employee of the board for which the person is a trustee; (c) repealed 2025 c6 s17; (d) is a party to a subsisting contract for the construction, maintenance or repair of real property over which the board has administration other than a contract for the provision of goods or services in an emergency; (e) beneficially owns more than 10% of the issued shares of a corporation that has a pecuniary interest in a subsisting contract for the construction, maintenance or repair of real property over which the board has administration other than a contract for the provision of goods or services in an emergency; (f) has a pecuniary interest in a contract with the board, other than (i) a contract for the provision of goods or services in an emergency, (ii) a contract for the sale of goods or services to the board at competitive prices by a dealer in those goods or services incidental to and in the ordinary course of the dealer’s business, (iii) a contract of employment with the trustee’s spouse or adult interdependent partner, child, parent or spouse’s or adult interdependent partner’s parent, or (iv) a contract approved by the board pursuant to disclosure; (g) uses information gained through the person’s position as a trustee of the board to gain a pecuniary benefit in respect of any matter in which the person has a pecuniary interest; (h) is a judge of a court or a member of the Senate or House of Commons of Canada or of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta; (i) is absent without being authorized by a resolution of the board from 3 consecutive regular meetings of the board, unless the person’s absence is due to illness and the person provides evidence of that illness in the form of a medical certificate respecting the period of the person’s absence; (j) is convicted of (i) an indictable offence punishable by imprisonment for 5 or more years, or (ii) an offence under section 123 of the Criminal Code (Canada) for which an absolute discharge or pardon has not been granted. (2) Notwithstanding section 24 of the Local Authorities Election Act , a trustee of the board who is disqualified under this section is eligible to be elected at the next general election of trustees to the board if that person is qualified for nomination as a trustee under the Local Authorities Election Act . 2012 cE-0.3 s87;2025 c6 s17 Disclosure of pecuniary interest 88 (1) When a trustee has a pecuniary interest in a matter before the board, any committee of the board or any commission, committee or agency to which the trustee is appointed as a representative of the board, the trustee shall, if present, (a) disclose the general nature of the pecuniary interest prior to any discussion of the matter, (b) abstain from voting on any question relating to the matter, (c) subject to subsection (3), abstain from discussing the matter, and (d) subject to subsections (2) and (3), leave the room in which the meeting is being held until the discussion and voting on the matter are concluded. (2) If the matter with respect to which the trustee has a pecuniary interest is the payment of an account for which funds have previously been committed, it is not necessary for the trustee to leave the room. (3) If a trustee is temporarily absent from a meeting when a matter in which the trustee has a pecuniary interest is introduced, the trustee shall, immediately on the trustee’s return to the meeting or as soon afterwards as the trustee becomes aware that the matter has been considered, disclose the general nature of the trustee’s pecuniary interest in the matter. (4) The abstention of a trustee under subsection (1) and the disclosure of a trustee’s pecuniary interest under subsection (1) or (3) must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. (5) If a trustee (a) has a pecuniary interest in a matter before the board, any committee of the board or any commission, committee or agency to which the trustee is appointed as a representative of the board, and (b) makes a disclosure of that pecuniary interest in accordance with this section, that trustee is not disqualified from being a trustee by reason of having that pecuniary interest. (6) Subsection (5) does not apply to an interest referred to in section 87(1)(d) or (e). (7) A trustee who contravenes this section is disqualified from remaining as a trustee of the board. Effect of interest on contract 89 No contract with a board under which a trustee of the board has an interest referred to in section 87(1)(d), (e) or (f) is binding on the board unless (a) the contract is for the provision of goods or services in the case of an emergency, (b) the contract is for the sale of goods or services to the board or to persons contracting with the board at competitive prices by a dealer in those goods or services incidental to and in the ordinary course of the dealer’s business, (c) the contract has been approved by the board pursuant to disclosure, or (d) the contract is a contract of employment with the trustee’s spouse or adult interdependent partner. Resignation on disqualification 90 If a person is disqualified under section 87 or 88 from remaining as a trustee of the board, the person shall immediately resign. Refusal to resign on disqualification 91 If the person does not resign as required under section 90, (a) the board may by resolution declare that person to be disqualified from remaining as a trustee and the seat on the board to be vacant, (b) the board may apply to the Court of King’s Bench for (i) an order determining whether the person is qualified to remain as a trustee, or (ii) an order declaring the person to be disqualified from remaining as a trustee and the seat on the board to be vacant, or (c) an elector of the school division in respect of which the person was elected may apply to the Court of King’s Bench for an order declaring the person to be disqualified from remaining as a trustee and the seat on the board to be vacant, by (i) filing an affidavit showing reasonable grounds for believing that the person never was or has ceased to be qualified as a trustee of the board, and (ii) paying into court the sum of $250 as security for costs. 2012 cE-0.3 s91;AR 217/2022 Appeal of board’s resolution 92 (1) Where a person is declared under section 91(a) to be disqualified from remaining as a trustee, that person may apply to the Court of King’s Bench for an order declaring the person to be qualified to remain as a trustee. (2) Where a person (a) is declared under section 91(a) to be disqualified from remaining as a trustee, and (b) makes an application to the Court under subsection (1), that person remains disqualified unless the Court otherwise orders. (3) An application under this section must be made within 30 days from the date that the resolution was passed under section 91(a). (4) On hearing an application and any evidence, whether oral or by affidavit, that the Court requires, the Court may make an order, with or without costs, (a) declaring the person to be qualified to be a trustee, and (i) reinstating the person as a trustee for any unexpired portion of the term of office for which the person was elected, (ii) requiring any person who has been elected to serve the balance of that term to vacate the office, and (iii) requiring the repayment to the reinstated person of any honorarium, salary or entitlement that was not paid to the person during the period of disqualification, or (b) declaring the person to be disqualified from remaining as a trustee and requiring the person to vacate the person’s seat on the board. 2012 cE-0.3 s92;AR 217/2022 Hearing of application 93 (1) On hearing an application under section 91(b) or (c) and any evidence, whether oral or by affidavit, that the Court requires, the Court of King’s Bench may make an order, with or without costs, (a) declaring the person to be disqualified from remaining as a trustee and the seat on the board to be vacant, (b) declaring the person to be qualified to remain as a trustee, or (c) dismissing the application. (2) If the Court declares a person disqualified for a contravention of section 87(1)(d), (e), (f) or (g), it may order the person to pay to the board the total amount of any profit attributable to the contravention. (3) An application under section 91(b) or (c) (a) must be made within 4 years from the date on which the contravention is alleged to have occurred, and (b) may be commenced or continued notwithstanding that an election has been held between the time at which the disqualification is alleged to have arisen and the time at which the application is or was commenced, and whether or not the person in respect of whom the application is being brought (i) resigns before or after the election, (ii) was re‑elected in the election, (iii) was not re‑elected or did not run in the election, or (iv) has completed a term of office. 2012 cE‑0.3 s93;2015 c6 s19;AR 217/2022 Dismissal of application for disqualification 94 Where the Court of King’s Bench hears an application under section 91(b) or (c) or 92 and finds that the person is disqualified, the Court may nevertheless declare the person to be qualified to be a trustee if it is of the opinion that the disqualification arose inadvertently or by reason of a bona fide error in judgment. 2012 cE-0.3 s94;AR 217/2022 Appeal of declaration of disqualification 95 (1) A person who is declared disqualified by the Court of King’s Bench and appeals that declaration to the Court of Appeal remains disqualified until the final determination of the appeal. (2) If, on the final determination of the appeal, the disqualification is set aside, the Court of Appeal (a) shall (i) reinstate the person as a trustee for any unexpired portion of the term of office for which the person was elected, (ii) require any person who has been elected to serve the balance of that term to vacate the office, and (iii) require the repayment to the reinstated person of any honorarium, salary or entitlement that was not paid to the person during the period of disqualification, and (b) may order that any money paid to the board pursuant to section 93(2) be paid back to the trustee together with any interest. (3) If, on the final disposition of the appeal, the disqualification is set aside but the term of office for which the person was elected has expired, the person shall not be reinstated, but the person is eligible to be elected at the next general election for the election of trustees to the board, if otherwise qualified. 2012 cE-0.3 s95;AR 217/2022 Reimbursement 96 (1) If (a) an application made under section 91(b) or (c) is dismissed, or (b) an order is made declaring that the person is qualified to remain as a trustee of the board, the board may reimburse the trustee in respect of whom the application was made for any of the trustee’s costs and expenses that the board considers reasonable other than costs that have already been awarded to the trustee by the Court. (2) A board may contract for insurance in respect of payments under subsection (1). Division 5.1 Recall Petitions Interpretation 96.1 (1) In this Division, (a) “notice of recall petition” means a notice of recall petition referred to in section 96.3(2); (b) “public notice” means (i) publishing the notice at least once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in at least one newspaper that has general circulation in the area in which the municipality, school division and district interested in the matter are situated, and (ii) posting the notice for 10 business days in at least 2 areas that the person who is required to give the notice considers appropriate; (c) “recall petition” means a recall petition commenced by a notice of recall petition that has been published on a board’s website under section 96.3(8)(a); (d) “recall petition signature period” means the 120‑day period commencing on the date of publication of a notice of recall petition on a board’s website under section 96.3(8)(a); (e) “representative recall petitioner” means the individual identified as the representative recall petitioner in a notice of recall petition in accordance with section 96.3(2)(c). (2) For the purposes of this Division, a document that is required to be filed with or submitted to the secretary of a board is filed or submitted when it is actually received by the secretary. 2021 cR-5.7 s70 Application 96.2 (1) This Division does not apply in respect of a trustee appointed in accordance with section 84(1). (2) The Petitions and Public Notices Regulation (AR 91/2019) does not apply for the purposes of a recall petition under this Division. (3) This Division applies in respect of the board as defined in the Northland School Division under the Northland School Division Act . 2021 cR-5.7 s70 Notice of recall petition 96.3 (1) An individual may commence a recall petition by submitting a notice of recall petition in accordance with this section and the regulations, if any, to the secretary of the board to which the recall petition relates. (2) A notice of recall petition must (a) identify the trustee to whom the recall petition relates by name, (b) state in 200 words or less the reason why the trustee should be recalled, (c) identify the representative recall petitioner by name, and (d) confirm that the board may direct any inquiries about the petition to the representative recall petitioner, and indicate the contact information to be used for this purpose. (3) A notice of recall petition must be accompanied by a statement signed by the representative recall petitioner that (a) provides (i) the street address of the representative recall petitioner or the legal description of the land on which the representative recall petitioner lives, (ii) the representative recall petitioner’s mailing address, if different, and (iii) the representative recall petitioner’s telephone number or email address, if any, and (b) confirms that the representative recall petitioner is an individual eligible to sign the recall petition under section 96.5 and consents to the responsibilities of leading the recall petition, gathering signatures and otherwise undertaking the role and discharging the duties of a representative recall petitioner under this Division and any other applicable enactment, (c) the application fee of $500, and (d) any other information prescribed. (4) The personal information referred to in subsection (3)(a) must not be disclosed, except (a) to the secretary of the board and the secretary’s delegates, if any, for the purposes of confirming the eligibility of the representative recall petitioner and validating the recall petition, (b) as necessary for the administration or enforcement of this Division and the regulations, and (c) for the purposes of judicial review. (5) If the secretary publishes a recall petition under subsection (8) in respect of a trustee, the secretary shall not publish any further recall petition in relation to the same trustee during the same term of office. (6) A representative recall petitioner may not submit a notice of recall petition (a) within the 18‑month period immediately following the day on which the trustee named in the notice of recall petition was elected, or (b) within the period commencing on January 1 of the year of a general election. (7) A trustee may not submit a notice of recall petition in respect of another trustee in the same school division. (8) If a representative recall petitioner is confirmed to be an individual eligible to sign the recall petition under section 96.5 and the notice of recall petition meets the requirements of this section, the secretary of the board must (a) within 7 days from the date when the notice of recall petition was submitted, publish the notice of recall petition on the board’s website, (b) provide public notice of the notice of recall petition, and (c) provide notice to the following, in writing: (i) the Minister; (ii) the representative recall petitioner; (iii) the trustee named in the notice of recall petition. 2021 cR-5.7 s70 Recall petition time and sufficiency 96.4 A recall petition is sufficient if (a) it is submitted to the secretary of the board before the expiry of the recall petition signature period, and (b) it meets the requirements of sections 96.5 to 96.8 and the regulations, if any. 2021 cR-5.7 s70 Eligibility to sign a recall petition 96.5 (1) Only an elector who is eligible to vote in the election of a trustee of a board under section 74, 76 or 135, as applicable, and the Local Authorities Election Act may sign a recall petition with respect to that trustee. (2) Only an elector who is eligible to vote in the election of a trustee of a board under section 8 of the Northland School Division Act may sign a recall petition with respect to that trustee. (3) An individual shall only sign any one recall petition once. 2021 cR-5.7 s70 Number of petitioners 96.6 (1) A recall petition must be signed by electors of the ward or division, as the case may be, as determined under section 96.5, that are equal in number to at least 40% of the number of electors. (2) Subject to subsection (3), on the publication of a notice of recall petition under section 96.3(8)(a), a board shall, subject to the regulations, if any, conduct a census of the ward or division to determine the number of electors. (3) A board is not required to conduct a census under subsection (2) if one has been conducted since the general election immediately preceding the publication of the notice of recall petition under section 96.3(8)(a). 2021 cR-5.7 s70 Other requirements for a recall petition 96.7 (1) A recall petition must (a) consist of one or more pages, each of which must contain the notice of recall petition referred to in section 96.3(2), and (b) conform to the regulations, if any. (2) The recall petition must include the following in legible print, where applicable, and within reasonable proximity to the signature to which it relates, for each petitioner: (a) the printed surname and printed given names or initials of the petitioner; (b) the petitioner’s signature; (c) the street address of the petitioner or the legal description of the land on which the petitioner lives; (d) the petitioner’s telephone number or email address, if any; (e) the date on which the petitioner signed the petition. (3) Each signature must be witnessed by an adult person who must (a) sign opposite the signature of the petitioner, and (b) make an affidavit that to the best of the person’s knowledge the signatures witnessed are those of individuals entitled to sign the petition. (4) The recall petition must have attached to it the affidavits referred to in subsection (3). (5) A recall petition may not be signed in digital form. 2021 cR-5.7 s70 Counting petitioners 96.8 (1) A recall petition must be filed with the secretary of the board and the secretary is responsible for determining if the recall petition is sufficient. (2) No name may be added to or removed from a recall petition after it has been filed with the secretary. (3) In counting the number of petitioners on a recall petition the secretary must exclude the name of a person (a) whose signature is not witnessed, (b) whose signature is witnessed but for which no affidavit is attached to the petition, (c) whose signature appears on a page or form that does not contain the notice of recall petition referred to in section 96.3(2), (d) whose printed name is not included or is incorrect, (e) whose street address or legal description of land is not included or is incorrect, (f) if the date when the person signed the recall petition is not stated, (g) when a recall petition is restricted to certain persons, (i) who is not one of those persons, or (ii) whose qualification as one of those persons is not, or is incorrectly, described or set out, or (h) who signed the recall petition after the expiry of the recall petition signature period. (4) If 5000 or more petitioners are necessary to make a petition sufficient, a secretary may use a random statistical sampling method with a 95% confidence level to determine the sufficiency of the petition, instead of counting and checking each petitioner. 2021 cR-5.7 s70 Report on sufficiency of recall petition 96.9 (1) The secretary of the board shall, within 45 days after the date on which a recall petition is filed, determine whether the recall petition is sufficient or insufficient in accordance with the regulations, if any. (2) The secretary shall, at the first board meeting after determining whether the recall petition is sufficient or insufficient, make a declaration to the board as to whether the recall petition is sufficient or insufficient. 2021 cR-5.7 s70 Insufficient recall petition 96.91 If a recall petition is insufficient or if no recall petition is submitted to the secretary of the board before the end of the recall petition signature period, the secretary of the board must (a) publish the declaration of insufficiency referred to in section 96.9 on the board’s website, (b) provide public notice of the declaration of insufficiency, and (c) provide the declaration to the following, in writing: (i) the Minister; (ii) the representative recall petitioner; (iii) the trustee named in the notice of recall petition. 2021 cR-5.7 s70 Sufficient recall petition 96.92 (1) If a recall petition is declared to be sufficient, on the making of the declaration, (a) the individual named as the trustee in the notice of recall petition is recalled, (b) the individual is no longer a member of the board or of any agency, commission or committee to which the trustee is appointed as a representative of the board, and (c) the position to which the individual was elected as a trustee is vacant. (2) On declaring that a recall petition is sufficient, the secretary of the board must (a) publish the declaration of sufficiency referred to in section 96.9 on the board’s website, (b) provide public notice of the declaration of sufficiency, and (c) provide the declaration to the following, in writing: (i) the Minister; (ii) the representative recall petitioner; (iii) the trustee named in the notice of recall petition. (3) Following the receipt of a declaration that a recall petition is sufficient, the board must hold a by‑election in accordance with section 81, 82 or 83, as applicable. (4) An individual recalled in accordance with this Division is eligible to be elected at the by‑election referred to in subsection (3), a subsequent by‑election or subsequent general election of trustees to the board if that individual is qualified for nomination as a trustee under this Act and the Local Authorities Election Act or the Northland School Division Act , as applicable. 2021 cR-5.7 s70 Required return of recall petition and destruction of copies 96.93 (1) Within 2 days of the day on which a secretary publishes a declaration in accordance with section 96.91(a) or 96.92(2)(a), the representative recall petitioner must (a) return the recall petition to the secretary, and (b) destroy all additional copies of the recall petition that the representative recall petitioner or any person acting on behalf of the representative recall petitioner made. (2) Section 101 of the Local Authorities Election Act applies, with all necessary modifications, to the retention and disposition by the secretary of the recall petition referred to in subsection (1)(a). 2021 cR-5.7 s70;2023 c9 s7 Protection of personal information in petitions 96.94 (1) Despite any provision of this Act, the Access to Information Act or any other enactment, personal information contained in a recall petition must not be disclosed, except (a) to the secretary of the board and the secretary’s delegates, if any, for the purposes of confirming the eligibility of the representative recall petitioner and validating the recall petition, (b) as necessary for the administration or enforcement of this Division and the regulations, and (c) for the purposes of judicial review. (2) Minimal disclosure that occurs inadvertently in the course of collecting signatures on the recall petition is not a breach of this section. (3) Every page of a recall petition must contain a statement that the personal information contained in the recall petition will not be disclosed, except (a) to the secretary of the board and the secretary’s delegates, if any, for the purposes of confirming the eligibility of the representative recall petitioner and validating the recall petition, (b) as necessary for the administration or enforcement of this Division and the regulations, and (c) for the purposes of judicial review. 2021 cR-5.7 s70;AR 141/2025 Recall process regulations 96.95 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, for the purposes of this Division, make regulations applying any provisions of the Local Authorities Election Act and the regulations under that Act with modifications of those provisions as the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers appropriate to the context of this Division or otherwise considers advisable, and without limiting the general powers conferred by this subsection, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may, for the purposes of this Division, make regulations in relation to recall petitions and the recall process (a) providing with respect to any provision of the regulations under this subsection that its contravention constitutes an offence; (b) prescribing penalties, including imprisonment, in respect of offences created under clause (a). (2) Subject to subsection (1), the Minister may make regulations in relation to recall petitions and the recall process (a) respecting a notice of recall petition for the purposes of section 96.3; (b) prescribing the information referred to in section 96.3(3)(d); (c) respecting the determination of the number of eligible electors for the purposes of section 96.6; (d) respecting the requirements for a recall petition for the purposes of section 96.7; (e) respecting extraordinary circumstances in respect of a recall petition, including the death or incapacity of a representative recall petitioner, and the continuation of that petition in those circumstances; (f) to remedy any confusion, difficulty, inconsistency or impossibility in respect of the recall process under this Division; (g) respecting any other matter the Minister considers necessary or advisable to carry out the intent and purpose of this Division. 2021 cR-5.7 s70 Recall Petition Finances and Advertising Regulations — recall petition finances and advertising 96.96 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, for the purposes of this Division, make regulations applying any provisions of the Local Authorities Election Act and the regulations under that Act with modifications of those provisions as the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers appropriate to the context of this Division or otherwise considers advisable, and without limiting the general powers conferred by this subsection, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may, for the purposes of this Division, make regulations in relation to recall petition finances and advertising (a) providing with respect to any provision of the regulations under this subsection that its contravention constitutes an offence; (b) prescribing penalties, including imprisonment, in respect of offences created under clause (a). (2) Subject to subsection (1), the Minister may, for the purposes of this Division, make regulations applying any provisions of the Local Authorities Election Act and the regulations under that Act with modifications of those provisions as the Minister considers appropriate to the context of this Division or otherwise considers advisable, and without limiting the general powers conferred by this subsection, the Minister may, for the purposes of this Division, make regulations in relation to recall petition finances and advertising (a) defining words or expressions, including a word or expression used in this Division; (b) respecting the duties and powers of a secretary with respect to a recall petition; (c) respecting any other matters relating to finances and advertising during the recall petition process that the Minister considers appropriate for the purposes of this Division. 2021 cR-5.7 s70 Part 5 Structure of School Authorities Division 1 Creation of Public School Districts Establishment of public school district 97 (1) The Minister may, by order, establish any portion of Alberta as a public school district. (2) The order establishing a public school district must describe the boundaries of the district and give it a name in the following form: The __________________ School District. Division 2 Establishment and Disestablishment of Separate School Districts Definitions 98 In this Division, (a) “community information meeting” means a meeting referred to in section 103; (b) “initiating separate school electors” means the separate school electors referred to in section 100 who initiate the process to establish a separate school district; (c) “operating separate school board” means (i) the school board that, pursuant to section 123(1)(b), provides services to the separate school region in which the newly established separate school district is to be located, or (ii) if no separate school region has been established in the area in which the newly established separate school district is to be located, an individual or a separate school board designated by the Minister; (d) “petitioners” means the initiating separate school electors who provide a petition for the establishment of a separate school district in accordance with section 102(3); (e) “public school board” means the public school division operating in the area in which a newly established separate school district is to be located; (f) “separate school elector” means an individual who, (i) where a separate school district is not established, (A) is an elector of the public school district, and (B) declares that the individual is of the same faith, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, as those in the minority in the public school district, and (ii) where a separate school district is established, declares that the individual is of the same faith as those who established the separate school district, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, and is an elector of that separate school district; (g) “separate school establishment area” means the separate school establishment area determined in accordance with section 101; (h) “separate school region” means a separate school region established pursuant to section 123(2). 2012 cE‑0.3 s98;2019 c7 s18 Right to establish separate school district 99 The separate school electors in any public school district where a separate school district is not established may establish a separate school district within that public school district in accordance with this Division. 2012 cE‑0.3 s99;2019 c7 s18 Intention to establish 100 (1) Where no fewer than 3 of the separate school electors referred to in section 99 wish to establish a separate school district, they must initiate the process by (a) notifying the Minister in writing of their intention to proceed with the establishment of a separate school district, and (b) providing a copy of the notification referred to in clause (a) to the operating separate school board, the public school board and the municipality or municipalities in which the public school district is located. (2) The Minister may make regulations (a) prescribing the time by which notice must be provided to the Minister under subsection (1)(a) for the establishment of a proposed separate school district, and (b) prescribing the time by which a copy of the notice under subsection (1)(b) must be provided to the operating separate school board, the public school board and the municipality or municipalities in which the public school district is located. 2012 cE‑0.3 s100;2019 c7 s18 Separate school establishment area 101 (1) The initiating separate school electors, the operating separate school board and the public school board must meet to collectively determine the boundaries of the separate school establishment area in accordance with the regulations and, if agreement is reached, notify the Minister in writing in a form acceptable to the Minister respecting the proposed separate school establishment area. (2) If the proposed separate school establishment area meets the requirements of the regulations, the Minister shall approve the proposed separate school establishment area as the area that will form the separate school district if it is established in accordance with this Division. (3) If the initiating separate school electors, the operating separate school board and the public school board are not able to agree within the time limits set out in the regulations on the boundaries of the area that will form the separate school district, or if the proposed separate school establishment area does not meet the requirements of the regulations, the Minister shall declare a separate school establishment area, and may, subject to the regulations, declare the separate school establishment area to be (a) the public school district in which the initiating separate school electors reside, and (b) all the public school districts that are (i) contiguous to the public school district in which the initiating separate school electors reside, (ii) located in the separate school region, and (iii) located within the boundaries of the public school board. (4) The Minister may make regulations (a) respecting the process and criteria for determining a separate school establishment area; (b) respecting the requirements for a separate school establishment area; (c) respecting the time within which agreement must be reached on the boundaries of a proposed separate school establishment area; (d) respecting the provision of a proposed separate school establishment area to the Minister. 2012 cE‑0.3 s101;2019 c7 s18 Petition for establishment 102 (1) Where the Minister has approved or made a declaration respecting a separate school establishment area under section 101, and the initiating separate school electors wish to proceed with the establishment of a separate school district, the initiating separate school electors must, in accordance with subsection (2), prepare a petition for the establishment of a separate school district based on that separate school establishment area. (2) The petition for the establishment of a separate school district must (a) be signed by no fewer than 3 of the initiating separate school electors, (b) provide evidence satisfactory to the Minister that the separate school electors are of the same faith, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, as those in the minority in the separate school establishment area, and (c) be in the form prescribed by the Minister. (3) The initiating separate school electors must provide (a) the petition for establishment to the Minister, and (b) copies of the petition to the operating separate school board and the public school board. 2012 cE‑0.3 s102;2019 c7 s18 Community information meeting 103 (1) Where a petition has been provided to the Minister in accordance with section 102(3), the petitioners, the operating separate school board and the public school board must arrange for a community information meeting to be held for the purpose of providing information with respect to the process and operational implications of the establishment of a separate school district. (2) Notice of the date, time and location of the community information meeting must be published in accordance with the regulations. (3) The community information meeting must be conducted in accordance with the regulations. (4) No vote respecting the establishment of a separate school district may be conducted at the community information meeting. (5) The meeting must be chaired by an individual designated by the Minister. (6) The Minister may make regulations respecting a community information meeting, including, without limitation, regulations respecting (a) the time period within which the meeting must be held; (b) the content of notices of the meeting, the manner of publishing and posting the notices and the responsibility for the notices; (c) the conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, regulations respecting the appointment and duties of a secretary and time for questions and discussion; (d) who may attend and participate in the meeting; (e) the information to be provided to the Minister respecting the meeting and the time within which the information must be provided. 2012 cE‑0.3 s103;2019 c7 s18 Vote respecting establishment 104 (1) After a community information meeting has been held, the petitioners may proceed with the establishment of a separate school district by requesting that the operating separate school board call a vote of the separate school electors who reside in the separate school establishment area for the purpose of determining whether the separate school district should be established. (2) Only the separate school electors who reside in the separate school establishment area are eligible to vote on the establishment of the separate school district. (3) Notice respecting a vote on the establishment of the separate school district must be (a) in the form prescribed by the Minister, (b) made public in accordance with the regulations, and (c) at least 10 days prior to the date set out in the notice of the vote, served in accordance with the regulations on the public school board. (4) The vote on the establishment of the separate school district must be (a) held on a date separate from and subsequent to the date of the community information meeting, and (b) conducted in accordance with the regulations. (5) The Minister may make regulations respecting the vote on the establishment of a separate school district, including, without limitation, regulations respecting (a) the publication and service of notice in advance of the vote; (b) the means of identification of those separate school electors eligible to vote; (c) the method of voting; (d) the wording of the question on the ballot; (e) the hours of the poll; (f) the appointment, number and duties of returning officers and the assignment of duties to returning officers; (g) the payment of returning officers; (h) the assignment of duties to persons other than the returning officers. 2012 cE‑0.3 s104;2019 c7 s18 Minimum requirements for binding vote 105 (1) In order for the vote on the establishment of a separate school district to be binding, a minimum of 25% of the separate school electors eligible to vote must cast a ballot on the question. (2) The vote on the establishment of a separate school district must be decided by a majority of the ballots validly cast, and, in the case of an equality of votes, the question is deemed to be decided in the negative. 2012 cE‑0.3 s106;2019 c7 s18 Notification to Minister, electors, etc. 106 (1) The returning officer must, within 10 days from the date of the vote, send the following to the Minister: (a) a copy of the notice calling the vote; (b) proof, in the form required by the Minister, that the notice respecting the vote was made public in accordance with the regulations; (c) proof, in the form required by the Minister, of the service of the notice under section 104(3)(c); (d) proof satisfactory to the Minister that those who participated in the vote are eligible separate school electors; (e) the declaration of the returning officer with respect to the result of the vote, which must include a statement that the minimum requirements for a binding vote as set out in section 105 were met. (2) The returning officer must, as set out in the regulations, provide notice of the results of the vote on the establishment of a separate school district to the operating separate school board, the public school board and the municipality or municipalities in which the public school district is located.

(3) The Minister may make regulations respecting the provision of notice of the results of the vote. 2012 cE‑0.3 s107;2019 c7 s18 Establishment of district 107 (1) Where the majority of the separate school electors who cast valid ballots voted in favour of the establishment of a separate school district, the Minister shall by order establish the separate school district with the same boundaries as those of the separate school establishment area. (2) The Minister shall make an order in subsection (1) effective on September 1 of the year determined in accordance with the regulations. (3) The Minister may make regulations respecting the determination of the year in which the order in subsection (1) is to become effective. 2012 cE‑0.3 s108;2019 c7 s18 Effect of establishment 108 (1) The order establishing the separate school district must give it a name in the following form: The _______________ Separate School District. (2) If there is a separate school region in which the newly established separate school district is located, the Minister shall, in accordance with section 114, add the newly established separate school district to the separate school division to which the operating separate school board provides services. (3) Subject to subsection (4), if there is no separate school region in which the newly established separate school district is located, the Minister shall add the newly established separate school district to another separate school division, as determined by the Minister, in accordance with section 114. (4) If there is no separate school region in which the newly established separate school district is located, the Minister (a) on the request of the petitioners and the public school division may establish a new school division in accordance with section 112(2), or (b) shall add the newly established separate school district as set out in subsection (3). (5) Subject to Part 6, Division 2, after a separate school district is established, a person residing within the boundaries of the separate school district who declares that the person is of the same faith as those who established that district, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, is a resident of the separate school district. 2012 cE‑0.3 s109;2015 c6 s21;2019 c7 s18 Vote against establishment 109 If the majority of the separate school electors who voted in accordance with section 104 voted against the establishment of a separate school district, no further vote on the establishment of a separate school district may be held until at least (a) one year from the date of the vote on establishment if less than 60% of the valid ballots were cast against the establishment of a separate school district, or (b) 2 years from the date of the vote on establishment if 60% or more of the valid ballots were cast against the establishment of a separate school district. 2012 cE‑0.3 s110;2019 c7 s18 Disestablishment of separate school district 110 (1) A board of a school division established under section 112(2) or a board of a separate school division (a) may pass a resolution requesting the Minister to disestablish a separate school district within the boundaries of the school division established under (i) section 112(2), or (ii) a separate school division, or (b) may of its own volition or must, if at least 25% of the separate school electors of the separate school district petition the board to disestablish the district, conduct a plebiscite to determine whether the separate school district should be disestablished. (2) A board must conduct a plebiscite not more than 60 days after (a) the date on which it passes a resolution under subsection (1)(a), or (b) the petition is made under subsection (1)(b). (3) A board must (a) provide notice of a plebiscite as set out in the regulations, and (b) conduct a plebiscite as set out in the regulations. (4) After a plebiscite, a board must, as required in the regulations, provide a report to the Minister respecting (a) the notice given before the plebiscite, (b) the process by which the plebiscite was conducted, and (c) the outcome of the plebiscite. (5) The Minister (a) shall, on receiving the report of a board made pursuant to subsection (4), or (b) may, if there are no separate school electors or the Minister receives a resolution under subsection (1)(a), by order, disestablish the separate school district, and on that disestablishment, the former separate school district residents become residents of the public school board within which they reside. (6) The Minister may make regulations respecting a plebiscite, including, without limitation, regulations (a) respecting who may vote; (b) respecting the wording of the question for the plebiscite; (c) respecting notice of the plebiscite; (d) respecting the process and requirements for conducting the plebiscite; (e) respecting reporting to the Minister after the plebiscite. 2012 cE‑0.3 s111;2019 c7 s18 111 Repealed 2019 c7 s18. Division 3 Creation, Alteration and Dissolution of School Divisions Establishment of school division 112 (1) The Minister may, by order, establish a school division consisting of any number of public school districts, separate school districts and school divisions established under this Act. (2) The Minister may only establish a school division consisting of both public school districts and separate school districts or both a public school division and a separate school division on the request of both the public school division and the separate school division. (3) A school division may be (a) a public school division, (b) a separate school division, or (c) both a public and separate school division if the school division is established under subsection (2). (4) The order establishing a school division must give the school division a name in the following form: The __________________ School Division. Effect of establishment 113 When a school division is established, (a) the boards of the public school districts, separate school districts and school divisions referred to in section 112 included in the area of the school division are dissolved, (b) all assets and liabilities of the boards of the public school districts, separate school districts and school divisions are transferred to the board of the school division, and (c) all employees of the boards of the public school districts, separate school districts and school divisions become employees of the board of the school division. Addition and removal of land 114 (1) The Minister may, by order, (a) add land to or take land from a public school district, separate school district or school division, and (b) divide a public school district, separate school district or school division into 2 or more public school districts, separate school districts or school divisions. (2) If all the land included in a school division has been taken from it, the school district or school division is deemed to be dissolved. Effect of town or village 115 Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the formation within any school division of a town or village does not have the effect of removing from the school division any public school district wholly or partially within the corporate limits of that town or village. Alteration of name 116 (1) The Minister may by order alter the name of a school division. (2) If a name is altered under subsection (1), the seal previously used by the board continues to be its seal until it is changed by the board. (3) Any alteration in the name of a school division does not affect any obligations incurred, acts done or property acquired prior to the alteration. Dissolution by Minister 117 (1) The Minister may by order declare that any school division is dissolved, and on the Minister so ordering, (a) the board of the school division is dissolved and ceases to have any of the rights, powers and privileges vested in it by this or any other Act, and (b) the school division ceases to exist. (2) If the Minister makes an order under subsection (1), the Minister may (a) add the land from the dissolved school division to another school division, as determined by the Minister, in accordance with section 114, or (b) establish a new school division in accordance with section 112. 2012 cE‑0.3 s117;2015 c6 s22 Appointment of trustees 117.1 (1) An order made by the Minister under section 112 or 114 may (a) set out the number of trustees of the board of the school division established under section 112, (b) increase the number of trustees of the board of the school division to which the land is added under section 114, and (c) appoint one or more persons as trustees to the board of the school division. (2) A trustee appointed to a board under subsection (1)(c) holds office until the first organizational meeting of the board held after the first general election held after the appointment. (3) A board of a school division referred to in subsection (1)(b) that has passed a bylaw under section 76 must amend the bylaw to provide for the representation of the area added to the school division. 2015 c6 s23 Adjustment of assets and liabilities 118 On (a) any inclusion, exclusion, dissolution or transfer of land or school divisions, or (b) the formation of a school division, if the Minister considers any adjustment of assets and liabilities necessary, the Minister shall in the same or a subsequent order give directions with respect to the assets and liabilities of any board affected by the inclusion, exclusion, dissolution, transfer or formation, and those directions are binding on the board. Transfer of teachers 119 (1) If, as a result of a transfer of land or school divisions by an order of the Minister, resident students of a board come under the jurisdiction of another board, the board to which the students are transferred must select teachers of the board from which the students are transferred in the same proportion as the number of students transferred bears to the total number of resident students of the board from which the students are transferred. (2) The teachers selected by the board under subsection (1) may choose to become employees of the board to which jurisdiction is given. (3) Where a teacher chooses under subsection (2) to become an employee of the board to which jurisdiction is given, that teacher shall (a) be paid by the board to which the teacher is transferred a salary in the same amount as the teacher was paid by the board from which the teacher was transferred, and (b) continue to be paid that salary until (i) the expiry date of the contract between the board formerly having jurisdiction and the teacher, or (ii) the termination of the contract in accordance with this Act, whichever occurs first. Publication of order 120 Every order of the Minister with respect to the establishment, boundaries, names, dissolution or disposal of assets and liabilities of a board or of a school division must be published in The Alberta Gazette. Boundaries 121 (1) When a public school district, separate school district or school division is described in whole or in part in an order establishing it as consisting of certain townships, parts of townships, sections or parts of sections, the boundary line of the public school district, separate school district or school division, unless it is otherwise expressly set out in the order, is (a) subject to clause (b), the side of the road allowance between adjoining sections or townships on which the survey monuments or posts are placed, and (b) in the case of correction lines, the south side of the road. (2) Any road allowance between either an Indian reserve or a forest reserve and a public school district, separate school district or school division is deemed to be in the public school district, separate school district or school division, notwithstanding anything in this Act to the contrary. (3) All road allowances within the boundaries of a public school district, separate school district or school division are deemed to be in the public school district, separate school district or school division. (4) Unless otherwise stated in an order establishing a public school district, separate school district or school division, if a part of the boundary of a public school district, separate school district or school division is described as being a certain river or other waterway, the downstream right bank is the boundary. Restriction re alteration of boundaries 122 When a school division has debenture indebtedness outstanding, no alteration in its boundaries may be made that prejudicially affects the right or security of the holders of the debentures without due provision being made for the protection of the holders of the debentures. Division 4 Establishment of Separate School Regions Establishment of separate school region 123 (1) The Minister may do one or both of the following by order: (a) establish any portion of Alberta as a separate school region; (b) provide for services by a separate school board in a separate school region. (2) The order establishing a separate school region must describe the boundaries of the separate school region and give it a name in the following form: The _________________________ Separate School Region. (3) A separate school region may have only one separate school board. (4) The Minister may exclude any portion of Alberta from a separate school region. Division 5 Establishment and Dissolution of Francophone Education Regions Definitions 124 In this Division, (a) “public school” means a school designated as a public school by a Francophone regional authority under section 130; (b) “public school elector” means an individual described in section 135(1) other than a separate school elector; (c) “public school trustee” means an individual who is appointed or elected as a public school trustee of a Francophone regional authority; (d) “separate school” means a school designated as a separate school by a Francophone regional authority under section 130; (e) “separate school elector” means an individual described in section 135(1) who declares that the individual is of the same faith, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, as the minority of all individuals living within the boundaries of a Francophone education region as determined by the Minister under section 128; (f) “separate school trustee” means an individual who is appointed or elected as a separate school trustee of a Francophone regional authority. 2012 cE-0.3 s124;2021 c9 s1 Application 125 (1) The following provisions and any regulations made under them apply to a Francophone regional authority and a reference in those provisions or those regulations to a board or a trustee is deemed to include a reference to the Francophone regional authority or a trustee of a Francophone regional authority, as the case may be: (a) sections 1 and 2; (b) Part 1, except sections 4, 10 and 11(1); (c) Part 2, except sections 28.1, 29 and 30; (d) Part 3; (e) Part 4, except sections 74 and 77; (f) Part 5, Division 4; (g) in Part 6, Division 1, section 171, Division 7 and Division 8 except section 192(3); (h) Part 7; (i) Part 8. (2) Sections 114, 116 to 122 and the provisions of Division 4 of Part 5 and any regulations made under them apply to a Francophone education region, and a reference in those provisions or those regulations to a school division is deemed to include a reference to a Francophone education region. (3) If a provision of this Act applies to a Francophone regional authority, a reference to an elector in the provision is deemed to be a reference to an individual referred to in section 135. (4) If in any other Act a reference is made (a) to a school division, the reference is deemed to include a Francophone education region, or (b) to a board of a school division or the trustees of a board of a school division, the reference is deemed to include a Francophone regional authority or the trustees of a Francophone regional authority, as the case may be. (5) Subsection (4) does not apply to a reference in the following Acts: (a) Condominium Property Act ; (b) Drainage Districts Act ; (c) Health Insurance Premiums Act ; (d) Northland School Division Act ; (e) Parks Towns Act . (6) Notwithstanding subsections (1), (2) and (4), the Minister may exempt a Francophone regional authority or a Francophone education region from the application of a provision of this or any other Act. 2012 cE‑0.3 s125;2015 c6 s24;2020 c11 s12 Establishment of Francophone education region 126 (1) The Minister may, by order, establish any portion of Alberta as a Francophone education region. (2) The order establishing a Francophone education region must describe the boundaries of the region and give it a name in the following form: The ____________ Francophone Education Region. Effect of establishment 127 The establishment of a Francophone education region does not affect a public school division or a separate school division established in respect of all or part of the portion of Alberta in which the Francophone education region is established. Minority in Francophone education region 128 For the purposes of this Division, the Minister may by order determine for each Francophone education region, on evidence satisfactory to the Minister, whether the Protestant or Roman Catholic faith is the faith of the minority of all individuals living within the boundaries of the Francophone education region. Composite Francophone regional authority 129 (1) For each Francophone education region, the Minister shall by order establish a composite Francophone regional authority, and the trustees of the composite Francophone regional authority are a corporation under the name of: The Francophone Regional Authority of ______________ Francophone Education Region. (2) A composite Francophone regional authority must be composed of at least 3 trustees. (3) Subject to subsection (4), the number of public school trustees of a composite Francophone regional authority must, if practicable, be in the same proportion to the total number of trustees of the composite Francophone regional authority as the total number of public school electors in the Francophone education region is to the combined total number of public school electors and separate school electors in the Francophone education region. (4) A composite Francophone regional authority must have at least one public school trustee and at least one separate school trustee. (5) The separate school trustees of a composite Francophone regional authority are a corporation under the name of: The Separate School Trustees of the Francophone Regional Authority of ______________. Designation of schools 130 A composite Francophone regional authority must designate each school either as a public school or as a separate school. Public and separate Francophone regional authorities 131 (1) If, within a Francophone education region, the public school electors exceed 30% of the combined total number of all public school electors and separate school electors and there are at least 500 students registered in the public schools, the Minister may dissolve the existing composite Francophone regional authority and establish both a public Francophone regional authority and a separate Francophone regional authority. (2) The trustees of the public Francophone regional authority established under subsection (1) are a corporation under the name of: The Francophone Regional Authority of ______ Public Francophone Education Region. (3) The trustees of the separate Francophone regional authority established under subsection (1) are a corporation under the name of: The Francophone Regional Authority of ______ Separate Francophone Education Region. Appointment of trustees on establishment 132 (1) The Minister may appoint the first trustees of a Francophone regional authority. (2) Trustees of a Francophone regional authority appointed under subsection (1) hold office until the first organizational meeting of the Francophone regional authority held after the first general election held after the Francophone regional authority is established. Agreements with school divisions 133 (1) The board of a school division required by the Minister to do so must enter into an agreement with the Francophone regional authority respecting any matter the Minister considers necessary, including, but not limited to, dealing with assets and liabilities and the transfer of employees. (2) If a board referred to in subsection (1) and the Francophone regional authority do not enter into an agreement under subsection (1) within a period that the Minister considers reasonable, the Minister may make an order respecting any matter the Minister considers necessary. Responsibility and authority of Francophone regional authority 134 (1) A Francophone regional authority has the responsibility and authority to ensure that minority language educational rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Canada are protected in the Francophone education region. (2) The separate school trustees of a composite Francophone regional authority have the responsibility and authority to ensure that the rights and privileges with respect to separate schools guaranteed under the Constitution of Canada are protected in the Francophone education region. (3) A separate Francophone regional authority has the responsibility and authority to ensure that both minority language educational rights and the rights and privileges with respect to separate schools guaranteed under the Constitution of Canada are protected in the Francophone education region. Eligibility 135 (1) For the purposes of this Act and the Local Authorities Election Act , an individual is eligible to vote in an election of trustees of a Francophone regional authority if (a) the individual (i) is a Francophone, (ii) is 18 years of age or older, (iii) is a Canadian citizen, and (iv) is a resident of Alberta and resides in the Francophone education region on election day, or (b) the individual is a member of a class of individuals prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council as being eligible to vote. (2) For the purposes of this Act and the Local Authorities Election Act , an individual is eligible to be nominated as a candidate for election as and to be elected as a trustee of a Francophone regional authority if (a) the individual (i) is a Francophone, (ii) is 18 years of age or older, (iii) is a Canadian citizen, (iv) has been a resident of Alberta for the 6 consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day and resides in the Francophone education region on election day, and (v) is not otherwise ineligible under the Local Authorities Election Act , or (b) the individual is a member of a class of individuals prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council as being eligible to be nominated as a candidate for election and to be elected. (3) In addition to the requirements set out in subsection (1), (a) an individual who is a public school elector may only vote for a public school trustee, and (b) an individual who is a separate school elector may vote for either a public school trustee or separate school trustee, but not both. (4) In addition to the requirements set out in subsection (2), (a) an individual who does not declare that the individual is of the same faith, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, as the minority of all individuals living within the boundaries of a Francophone education region is only eligible to be nominated as a candidate for election as and to be elected as a public school trustee, and (b) an individual who declares that the individual is of the same faith, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, as the minority of all individuals living within the boundaries of a Francophone education region is eligible to be nominated as a candidate for election as and to be elected as either a public school trustee or separate school trustee, but not both. (5) A person who is eligible to vote in an election for a board other than a Francophone regional authority and in an election for a Francophone regional authority may only vote in one election. (6) A person may not be a trustee of a Francophone regional authority and of a board at the same time. (7) Notwithstanding section 4.1, for the purposes of this section as it applies to an election held in 2025 or 2026 in a Francophone education region that is wholly or partly within the Municipality of Jasper, an individual is deemed to reside on election day in the Francophone education region and a ward that is wholly or partly within the Municipality of Jasper if the individual makes a signed statement in accordance with section 48.1(3) of the Local Authorities Election Act . 2012 cE‑0.3 s135;2019 c7 s19;2021 c9 s1;2025 c6 s18 Dissolution of Francophone regional authority 136 (1) A Francophone regional authority may pass a resolution requesting the Minister to dissolve the Francophone regional authority. (2) The Minister, subject to any terms or conditions the Minister imposes, may, by order, dissolve a Francophone regional authority whether or not the Minister receives a resolution requesting the dissolution. (3) If on the dissolution of a Francophone regional authority the Minister considers an adjustment of assets or liabilities to be necessary, the Minister shall, by order, give directions with respect to the assets or liabilities of the Francophone regional authority. Part 6 Finance and Property Division 1 Finance Definition 137 In this Part, “auditor” means a professional accounting firm registered under the Chartered Professional Accountants Act and authorized to perform an audit engagement. 2012 cE‑0.3 s137;2014 cC‑10.2 s174 Auditor 138 Each board shall appoint an auditor. Financial reporting to the Minister 139 (1) The fiscal year of a board is September 1 to the following August 31, unless otherwise specified by the Minister. (2) The board shall, in each year, do the following: (a) on or before May 31, or another date specified by the Minister, prepare and submit to the Minister a budget for the fiscal year beginning on the following September 1; (b) on or before November 30, or another date specified by the Minister, submit to the Minister, in the form prescribed by the Minister, copies of (i) the board’s financial statements, (ii) the auditor’s report on the board’s financial statements, and (iii) any written communications between the auditor and the board respecting the systems of internal control and accounting procedures of the board. (3) The Minister in the Minister’s discretion may publish or otherwise disseminate all or any of the items submitted to the Minister pursuant to subsection (2)(b). Contents of financial statements and authority to disclose personal information 140 (1) The financial statements referred to in section 139(2)(b) must include the following information in respect of the board: (a) the remuneration, the benefits, the allowances and the expenses paid to or on behalf of the members of the board, each shown as a separate figure and shown separately for each member; (b) the remuneration, the benefits, the allowances, the expenses and the performance bonuses and other monetary incentives paid to or on behalf of the superintendent, each shown as a separate figure; (c) the remuneration, the benefits, the allowances, the expenses and the performance bonuses and other monetary incentives paid to or on behalf of the secretary‑treasurer or the secretary and the treasurer appointed by the board, as the case may be, each shown as a separate figure; (d) the total of the remuneration, the total of the benefits and the total of the allowances paid to or on behalf of the persons in each of the following groups: (i) teachers employed by the board; (ii) non‑teaching employees of the board. (2) The board has the authority to disclose the information listed in subsection (1) notwithstanding any other Act or any provision of any agreement that purports to prohibit the disclosure of that information. Auditor’s report 141 (1) An auditor shall, in accordance with the Canadian Auditing Standards, perform the auditor’s examination of, and prepare the auditor’s report on, the financial statements prepared pursuant to this Act and submit the report to the board. (2) Board employees must give the auditor access to all records, documents, books of account and vouchers of the board at all times, and the auditor is empowered to request and receive from the board and any employee of the board any information and explanations that in the auditor’s opinion may be necessary to enable the auditor to report as required by subsection (1). Audit committee 142 (1) Each board shall establish an audit committee to (a) recommend external auditors to the board, (b) review the annual financial statements and report to the board, and (c) attend to other matters as the board may determine in the establishment of the audit committee. (2) The audit committee shall comprise at least 5 individuals and shall include 2 members who are not trustees. 2012 cE‑0.3 s142;2020 c11 s13 Application of funds 143 (1) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), any money of a board that is accumulated or acquired for the purpose of capital expenditures must be used only for capital expenditures. (2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), any money of a board that is accumulated or acquired for a capital expenditure by borrowing or in any other manner must be used only for the capital expenditure for which it was acquired. (3) The Minister, on any conditions that the Minister prescribes, (a) may permit a board, or (b) may require a board to use money referred to in subsection (1) or (2) for a particular capital expenditure or a particular capital project or for any other expenditure or project whether or not the expenditure or project is one for which the money was accumulated or acquired. (4) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), a board may effect a temporary transfer of capital funds for a period of not more than 365 days to an account for operating expenses and, on the transfer of the capital funds, the funds may be applied during that period toward operating expenses. 143.1 Repealed 2012 cE‑0.3 s143.1. Division 2 Assessment of Property Definition 144 In this Division, “person” includes a cooperative within the meaning of the Cooperatives Act . Assessment 145 All property is assessable in accordance with this Act for school purposes. Property owned by individuals 146 (1) Where (a) property owned by an individual is located in an area where a separate school district has been established, and (b) the individual who owns the property declares that the individual is of the same faith, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, as the faith of those who established the separate school district, the property owned by that individual is assessable for separate school purposes. (2) Property owned by an individual who is not referred to in subsection (1) is assessable for public school purposes. (3) Where (a) property is held by 2 or more individuals as joint tenants or tenants in common, and (b) that property is located in an area where a separate school district has been established, that property must be assessed for separate or public school purposes, in accordance with subsections (1) and (2), in proportion to each individual’s interest in the property. (4) For the purposes of this section, when property is held by 2 or more individuals as joint tenants, they are deemed to hold that property in equal shares and the property must be assessed accordingly. List of separate school district residents 146.1 (1) Where a separate school district is established, the board of the separate school division to which the separate school district is added shall (a) before the December 1 next following the establishment of the separate school district, and (b) according to the information available to the board, submit to each municipality within which the district lies a list of the names and addresses of all individuals whose property is liable to assessment for separate school purposes. (2) The board of the separate school division shall submit to the municipality where the separate school district is established a list of the names and addresses of all individuals who were separate school electors as defined in section 98 at the time the separate school district was established. (3) A list submitted to a municipality under subsection (1) becomes effective on the December 31 next following the date on which the list is submitted. (4) The lists referred to in subsections (1) and (2) shall each be accompanied with a statutory declaration of the chair and secretary of the board stating (a) the sources of information used in the preparation of the list, and (b) that to the best of their knowledge and belief, the list is accurate according to that information. (5) On receiving the lists referred to in subsections (1) and (2), the municipality shall mail to each individual named on a list, at the individual’s address shown on the list, a notice stating (a) that the board of a separate school division claims that (i) the individual is a resident of that district and the individual holds property that is located in the district that is assessable for separate school purposes because the individual is Protestant or Roman Catholic, whichever is the faith of those who established the separate school district, (ii) the individual is a resident of that district but does not hold property in the district, or (iii) the individual does not reside in that district but the individual holds property that is located in the district that is assessable for separate school purposes because the individual is Protestant or Roman Catholic, whichever is the faith of those who established the separate school district, and (b) that the individual will be recorded as a resident of the separate school district or as a non‑resident property owner whose property is assessable for separate school purposes unless within 3 weeks from the date of the mailing of the notice the individual gives written notice to the municipality stating that the individual is not a member of the same faith as those who established the separate school district. (6) When a written notice is given by an individual under subsection (5)(b), the municipality shall remove the name of the individual from the list. (7) After the expiration of 3 weeks from the date of the mailing of the last of the notices by the municipality under subsection (5), the municipality shall, (a) with respect to all individuals whose names remain on the list referred to in subsection (1), record their properties as being assessable for separate school purposes, and (b) with respect to all individuals whose names remain on the list referred to in subsection (2), if any, record those individuals as being electors of the separate school division. (8) The municipality shall give to the board of the separate school division and to the board of the relevant public school division a copy of the list following the removal of names, if any, pursuant to subsection (6). (9) Notwithstanding subsections (5) to (8), a municipality shall not remove the name of any individual from a list referred to in subsection (1) on or after the date on which the board passes the resolution authorizing the holding of a plebiscite under Part 6 in respect of the separate school division unless (a) the resolution is withdrawn by the board, (b) the electors of the separate school division do not agree in the plebiscite to a special school tax levy, or (c) the taxable period affected by the special school tax levy has ended or public notice is given by the board under section 172(2), whichever occurs first. 2015 c6 s25 Notice of assessability by an individual 147 (1) Any individual who is a separate school elector as defined in section 98 may give written notice, in the form prescribed by the Minister, at any time to a municipality that the property of the individual is assessable for separate school purposes in accordance with section 146. (2) An individual whose name is on a list given by a municipality to the board of a separate school division under section 146.1(8) is deemed to have given notice under subsection (1) that the property of the individual is assessable for separate school purposes. (3) Any individual who is not a separate school elector as defined in section 98 may give written notice at any time, in the form prescribed by the Minister, to the municipality that the property of the individual is assessable for public school purposes. (4) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (3), an individual may not give a written notice referred to in subsection (1) or (3) or withdraw a notice already given on or after the date on which the board of a school division passes a resolution authorizing a plebiscite under section 172(2) in respect of a school division that includes the part of the municipality in which the property of the individual is located unless (a) the resolution is withdrawn by the board, (b) the school electors do not agree in the plebiscite to a special school tax levy, or (c) the taxable period affected by the special school tax levy has ended or further public notice is subsequently given by the board under section 172(2), whichever occurs first. (5) Subject to subsection (4), if a notice is given under this section, an individual may withdraw the notice only if it is replaced by a notice under this section that the property of the individual is assessable (a) for separate school purposes, if the original notice made the property assessable for public school purposes, or (b) for public school purposes, if the original notice made the property assessable for separate school purposes. 2012 cE‑0.3 s147;2015 c6 s26 Notice of assessability by corporation or cooperative 148 (1) A corporation or cooperative may give written notice, in the form prescribed by the Minister, to a municipality that all or a portion of its property located in the municipality is assessable for public or separate school purposes. (2) A corporation or cooperative may by notice at any time require (a) that a portion of its property be entered and assessed for separate school purposes in accordance with this section if it has shareholders or members who declare themselves to be of the same faith as those who established a separate school district in which it has property, or (b) that all of the property it has in the municipality be entered and assessed for public school purposes. (3) When a corporation has shareholders, the notice under subsection (2)(a) must designate for separate school purposes the same proportion of the property of the corporation in the separate school district that is assessable for school purposes as the value of shares owned by shareholders who declare themselves to be of the same faith as those who established the separate school district bears to the total value of all shares of the corporation. (4) The notice under subsection (2)(a) given by a corporation that does not have shareholders or by a cooperative must designate for separate school purposes the same proportion of the property of the corporation or cooperative in the separate school district that is assessable for school purposes as the number of members who declare themselves to be of the same faith as those who established the separate school district bears to the total number of members. (5) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a corporation or cooperative may not give a written notice or withdraw a notice already given on or after the date on which the board of a school division passes a resolution authorizing a plebiscite under section 172(2) in respect of a school division that includes the property referred to in the notice unless (a) the resolution is withdrawn by the board, (b) the school electors do not agree in the plebiscite to a special school tax levy, or (c) the taxable period affected by the special school tax levy has ended or further public notice is subsequently given by the board under section 172(2), whichever occurs first. (6) Subject to subsection (5), if a notice is given under this section, a corporation or cooperative may withdraw the notice only if it is replaced by a notice under this section that the property of the corporation or cooperative is assessable (a) for separate school purposes, if the original notice made the property assessable for public school purposes, or (b) for public school purposes, if the original notice made the property assessable for separate school purposes. (7) A notice given by a corporation or cooperative under this section must state that the information in the notice has been approved by a resolution of the shareholders, the members or the directors, as the case may be. Notice on acquisition 149 (1) If a person acquires ownership of a fee simple estate in land, the person shall complete the appropriate notice referred to in this Division and give it to the municipality in which the land referred to in the transfer is located. (2) If a municipality does not receive a notice under subsection (1) within 60 days after it is advised that the ownership of a fee simple estate in land has been transferred, the municipality shall send the transferee (a) if the transferee is an individual, a form of notice under section 147(1) and (3), or (b) if the transferee is a corporation or cooperative, a form of notice under section 148. (3) A form of notice required to be sent under subsection (2)(a) or (b) may be sent in accordance with a bylaw under section 608.1(2) of the Municipal Government Act . 2012 cE-0.3 s149;2019 c22 s2 Examination of notice 150 Any person entitled to examine the assessment roll may, in accordance with the Municipal Government Act , examine a notice given under this Division by a corporation or a cooperative. Evidence 151 A notice given under this Division is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, (a) of the contents of that notice, and (b) that a corporation or cooperative that gave the notice was properly empowered to give the notice. Effect of notice 152 (1) A notice given by a person under this Division must be given to the proper officer of the municipality in which the property is situated and to the secretaries of the boards of the public school division and the separate school division. (2) When a person gives notice under this Division, any change in the assessment roll is not effective for assessment purposes until the year following the year in which the notice is given. (3) The proper officer shall retain on file in the officer’s office each notice given to the officer under subsection (1). (4) A notice continues in force and must be acted on until it is withdrawn, varied or cancelled by a subsequent notice given by the individual or pursuant to a resolution of the corporation or cooperative. Assessment of corporation 153 The proper officer of each municipality shall in each year, before the completion of the assessment and tax roll, examine each notice on file in the officer’s office and shall show in the assessment and tax roll the property of a corporation or cooperative or the part of it that is designated by the notice as assessable for separate school purposes. Equalized assessment 154 (1) The Minister responsible for the Municipal Government Act shall in each year apportion among the school divisions, whether public or separate, situated in whole or in part within a municipality the equalized assessment, as defined in the Municipal Government Act , established in respect of the municipality for that year, and afterwards that Minister shall advise the municipality of the apportionment. (2) On being advised by the Minister responsible for the Municipal Government Act of an apportionment under subsection (1), the chief administrative officer or a designated officer of a municipality within which a school division is situated in whole or in part shall provide a certificate to the secretary of the board showing the portion of the equalized assessment of the municipality as determined pursuant to subsection (1) that is applicable to that part of the municipality within which the school division is situated. (3) For the purposes of this section, if a separate school district is situated in whole or in part within a municipality, (a) the assessment of property of an individual that is assessable for separate school purposes pertains to the separate school district in accordance with section 146 and any notice given under section 147, (b) the assessment of property of an individual that is assessable for public school purposes pertains to the public school division in accordance with section 146 and any notice given under section 147, and (c) the assessment of property of a corporation or a cooperative must be apportioned between the separate school district and the public school division in accordance with the notice given under section 148. Statement to boards by municipality 155 The proper officer of each municipality, when providing the certificate required by section 154, shall also send to each board a statement showing, both for public school purposes and for separate school purposes, (a) the total assessment of all property assessed to individuals, (b) the total assessment of all property assessed to corporations under section 148, and (c) the totals of the assessments, valuations and assessed values under clauses (a) and (b). Copy of assessment roll 156 (1) Each municipality within which a school division is situated in whole or in part shall, at the request of and at the expense of the board, supply to the board a copy of the whole or any part of the assessment roll of the municipality. (2) A board that receives a copy of the whole or any part of an assessment roll shall treat the information as being strictly confidential. False statement re assessment 157 A false statement made in any notice respecting the assessment of property of an individual, corporation or cooperative that is given by the individual, the corporation or the cooperative does not relieve the individual, the corporation or the cooperative from taxes. Offence 158 (1) A corporation or cooperative that fraudulently gives notice or makes a false statement in a notice is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of not more than $10 000. (2) Any person (a) who gives a notice on behalf of a corporation or cooperative, and (b) who fraudulently or wilfully inserts in that notice a false statement, is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of not more than $10 000. Division 3 Requisitions Definition 159 In this Division, “Alberta School Foundation Fund” means the Alberta School Foundation Fund continued under Division 4. Calculation of requisition by board 160 (1) Subject to the regulations and subsection (2), a board shall requisition from a municipality included in whole or in part within the school division (a) in the case of a board of a separate school division to which Division 4 does not apply, the difference between its estimated total expenditures and its estimated total revenues derived from all sources, and (b) the amount required under a special school tax levy under section 175. (2) For the purposes of this section, the requisition from a particular municipality referred to in subsection (1)(a) must not, in a year, be less than the requisition that would be determined using (a) the property tax rates established under section 167 for that year for the particular municipality, and (b) the equalized assessment of the particular class of property referred to in section 167(2) of that portion of the assessment base of the municipality in respect of which notice has been given in accordance with Division 2 that the property is assessable for separate school purposes.

(3) In subsection (2)(b), the reference to notice given in accordance with Division 2 is a reference to a notice effective as at December 31 of the year preceding the year for which the requisition is made. (4) A municipality that has passed a supplementary assessment bylaw under the Municipal Government Act shall pay to a board that has requisitioned the municipality under subsection (1)(a) the amount raised as a result of the supplementary taxes levied on that portion of the assessment base of the municipality in respect of which notice has been given in accordance with Division 2 that the property is assessable for separate school purposes. (5) The amount referred to in subsection (4) must be paid to the board on or before February 28 in the year subsequent to the year for which the supplementary tax is levied. (6) A municipality shall advise the Minister of the amount paid to a board under subsection (4) on or before February 28 in the year subsequent to the year for which the supplementary tax is levied. (7) The amount received by a board under subsection (4) must be used to lower the requisition under subsection (1)(a) by the board from the municipality in the subsequent year. (8) The Minister may make regulations (a) limiting the amount of money a board may requisition from a municipality; (b) setting the limit referred to in clause (a) as an amount or as a percentage; (c) providing one or more methods, whether by a vote of the electors or otherwise, by which a board may exceed the limits set under clause (a). (9) The Minister may use any criteria the Minister considers appropriate in establishing limits under subsection (8). Submission of requisition 161 (1) Subject to section 164(6), on or before April 30 in each year or within 30 days after the date on which a board is provided with the certificates under section 154, whichever is later, the board shall submit to each municipality and to the Minister its requisition that is required to be raised by the relevant municipality. (2) If a municipality requests it, the board shall supply a copy of its estimates to the municipality to which it submits a requisition. Payment by council of a municipality 162 (1) A municipality, in each year, shall pay to the board of each school division in which the area of the municipality is included the amount of the requisition transmitted by the board of the school division under this Part. (2) In the same manner and at the same time as it levies the amount of the basic requisition made under section 160, a municipality shall levy on the assessable property in the part of the separate school district or school division that is within the municipality (a) the amount of any other requisition referred to in section 175, and (b) the amount required for the purposes of the Alberta School Foundation Fund under section 167. (3) A municipality shall pay to a board or the Alberta School Foundation Fund the amount required under this Part in equal quarterly instalments on the last banking day of each of the months of March, June, September and December in that year. (4) If a municipality has not received the requisition of the board of a school division or the mill rates under section 167 by March 15, the municipality shall make a payment on account to that board or the Alberta School Foundation Fund, as the case may be, based on the requisitions or payments of the previous year. (5) If a municipality fails to pay the amount required from time to time under this Part as required by this Part, the amount becomes a debt due, owing and payable to the school division or the Government, as the case may be. (6) With the permission of the Minister, a debt referred to in subsection (5) may be recovered by an action in debt. Interest 163 If a municipality is in default of payment of a requisition or payment into the Alberta School Foundation Fund, the amount unpaid bears interest at a rate determined by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. Division 4 Alberta School Foundation Fund Application of this Division 164 (1) Subject to a resolution of a board under subsection (2), this Division applies to all boards. (2) The board of a separate school division may, pursuant to a resolution, certify to the Minister under the seal of the separate school division that this Division does not apply to it. (3) A resolution of a board under subsection (2) remains in effect until it is rescinded by another resolution of the board. (4) A board may make or rescind a resolution referred to in subsection (2) only after the date of a general election under the Local Authorities Election Act and before December 31 of the same year. (5) A resolution of a board under subsection (2) takes effect in the first taxation year beginning after the date of the resolution. (6) A board of a school division to which this Division applies shall requisition a municipality under Division 3 only in accordance with a special school tax levy. Alberta School Foundation Fund 165 The Alberta School Foundation Fund is continued by this section. Taxing authority 166 The Government of Alberta is a taxing authority for the purpose of applying property tax rates against the equalized assessment of a municipality. Payment into the Fund 167 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council shall in each year establish one or more property tax rates expressed in mills. (2) The property tax rates must be established under subsection (1) in accordance with the following: (a) there must be one property tax rate for the equalized assessment of residential and farm land property referred to in section 297(1) of the Municipal Government Act ; (b) there must be one property tax rate for the equalized assessment of non‑residential property referred to in section 297(1) of the Municipal Government Act ; (c) there must be one property tax rate for the equalized assessment of machinery and equipment property referred to in section 297(1) of the Municipal Government Act . (3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), the property tax rates established under subsection (1) may be varied by the Lieutenant Governor in Council among towns or townsites in national parks. (4) Each municipality shall pay annually into the Alberta School Foundation Fund a sum equal to the amount that results from applying the property tax rates established under subsection (1) in accordance with the order that establishes them to the equalized assessment of the municipality as established for the year under the Municipal Government Act . (5) A municipality that has passed a supplementary assessment bylaw under the Municipal Government Act shall pay into the Alberta School Foundation Fund the amount raised pursuant to the requisition as a result of the supplementary taxes levied on that portion of the assessment base of the municipality in respect of which no payment is made under section 160(4). (6) The amount referred to in subsection (5) must be paid into the Alberta School Foundation Fund on or before February 28 in the year subsequent to the year for which the supplementary tax is levied. (7) The amount paid into the Alberta School Foundation Fund pursuant to subsection (5) (a) must be used to offset any under levy resulting from appeals from equalized assessments under the Municipal Government Act , and (b) if there is an amount remaining after all offsets under clause (a) are made, that amount must be used to lower the province‑wide requisition under this section in the subsequent year. (8) The Minister, or a person designated in writing by the Minister, shall advise each municipality as soon as possible in each year of the amount that the municipality is required to pay into the Alberta School Foundation Fund. (9) Each municipality shall pay into the Alberta School Foundation Fund the amount calculated by applying the property tax rates established under subsection (1). (10) Notwithstanding anything in this Division, the Minister may by order provide that the sum required to be paid into the Alberta School Foundation Fund by a municipality pursuant to subsection (4) be paid, in whole or in part, directly to one or more boards of school divisions situated in whole or in part within the municipality, and any sum paid under this section is deemed to be a payment into the Alberta School Foundation Fund. (11) Notwithstanding anything in this Division, the Minister may by order suspend or defer in whole or in part the payment of any sum required to be paid under subsection (4) for the period of time and on the terms and conditions that the Minister prescribes. (12) Notwithstanding anything in this section, that portion of the assessment base of a municipality that is assessable for separate school purposes pursuant to section 160(2)(b) is not to be included in the equalized assessment referred to in subsection (4). (13) If it is determined on appeal under the Municipal Government Act that a municipality has paid an amount into the Alberta School Foundation Fund in excess of the sum that it is required to pay under subsection (4), the Minister may order the repayment of the excess to the municipality from the Alberta School Foundation Fund. Default 168 Where a municipality defaults in making a payment required under this Division, the Minister may pay into the Alberta School Foundation Fund to the credit of the municipality any grants payable to that municipality for that year or any succeeding year until the amount owing by the municipality has been received. Payment from the Fund 169 (1) In this section, (a) “eligible student” means a student who is eligible in accordance with regulations made under subsection (8); (b) “amount per student” means the amount calculated in accordance with subsection (4). (2) Subject to regulations made under subsection (8), the Minister shall make payments from the Alberta School Foundation Fund to all boards, whether or not the board has a subsisting resolution that this Division does not apply to it. (3) The Minister shall not make a payment from the Alberta School Foundation Fund to any person other than a board except (a) when section 167(13) applies, or (b) when a payment to the General Revenue Fund is required to repay advances made from that Fund to the Alberta School Foundation Fund, and in that case, interest may also be paid from the Alberta School Foundation Fund to the General Revenue Fund. (4) The amount per student with respect to a board is the amount obtained by dividing (a) the total amount received by the board pursuant to a payment from the Alberta School Foundation Fund and a requisition under section 160, other than pursuant to a special school tax levy, by (b) the number of eligible students enrolled in schools operated by the board. (5) The Minister shall calculate the amount to be paid from the Alberta School Foundation Fund to all boards in such a way that the payment for a school year to each board is consistent with the principle that every board is entitled to receive the same amount per student for the school year. (6) If a separate school division to which this Division does not apply receives from municipalities requisitioned by the board an amount per student for a school year that is greater than the amount per student for the school year used by the Minister to calculate payments from the Alberta School Foundation Fund under subsection (5) subject to the rights under the Constitution of Canada of separate school electors, the board of that school division shall pay the difference between the amounts into the Alberta School Foundation Fund. (7) The receipt of money from the Alberta School Foundation Fund does not make this Division apply to a board of a separate school division that has a subsisting resolution certifying that this Division does not apply to it. (8) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations (a) respecting payments to boards from the Alberta School Foundation Fund for the purposes of education under this Act; (b) establishing criteria for determining who is an eligible student. Collecting boards 170 For the purpose of this Division, a collecting board under Division 6 is deemed to be both a board and a municipality. Effect of cessation of services 171 Notwithstanding anything in this Division or the regulations, in the event of a cessation of services by teachers or other employees of a board by reason of a strike or lockout, the Minister shall (a) pursuant to the regulations made under this Division, calculate the amount payable to the board for the period during which the cessation of services continued, and (b) reduce the amount payable to the board by any sum up to and including the amount calculated pursuant to clause (a) after considering the continuing operating costs incurred by the board. Division 5 Special School Tax Levy Plebiscite 172 (1) Subject to this section, a board may authorize the holding of a plebiscite to obtain the approval of the electors of the school division to impose a special school tax levy under this Division. (2) A board that intends to hold a plebiscite referred to in subsection (1) (a) shall not less than 60 days before the board intends to consider the resolution authorizing the holding of a plebiscite referred to in subsection (1), give public notice, in accordance with the regulations, of its intention, and (b) must at least 60 days before election day in a year in which a general election will be held under the Local Authorities Election Act , pass the resolution at a public meeting of the board. (3) The resolution referred to in subsection (2) must include a statement respecting the purpose of the special school tax levy. (4) The question that the plebiscite is to determine must be (a) in accordance with the regulations, and (b) included in the resolution referred to in subsection (2). (5) A board, by resolution, may withdraw the authorization for the plebiscite under subsection (2) up to the date on which the plebiscite is to be held. (6) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations (a) respecting the information to be given to the public by a board before a plebiscite is held under this Division; (b) respecting the question, any information and any other matter to be included on a ballot in a plebiscite under this Division; (c) respecting generally the holding and conduct of a plebiscite under this Division. Conduct of plebiscite 173 (1) A plebiscite under this Division must be conducted in conjunction with the next general election under the Local Authorities Election Act after the resolution is passed under section 172. (2) The Local Authorities Election Act and the regulations under it apply to the plebiscite except as otherwise provided by this Act or the regulations under this Act. (3) The persons eligible to vote in a plebiscite are the persons eligible to vote at the general election for members of the board that passed the resolution. (4) The results of a plebiscite must be reported in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act . Special school tax levy 174 (1) No special school tax levy may be authorized by plebiscite if the amount to be raised by the special school tax levy in each year is more than 3% of the budget of the board for the year in which the resolution is passed. (2) A special school tax levy may be approved by a plebiscite for a period of not more than the 4‑year period ending on December 31 of the year of the next general election under the Local Authorities Election Act after the plebiscite. (3) Money raised by a board by a special school tax levy must be used for the purpose referred to in the resolution. 2012 cE‑0.3 s174;2015 c6 s27 Assessment and requisition 175 (1) If a majority of the ballots cast at a plebiscite under this Division vote in favour of a special school tax levy, the board may requisition municipalities in accordance with Division 3. (2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), Divisions 2 and 3 apply to a special school tax levy. (3) Only the property of an individual that is assessable for public school purposes under section 146 or of a corporation or cooperative that has given notice under section 148 that all or a portion of its property is assessable for public school purposes is assessable for a special school tax levy by a board of a public school division. (4) Only the property of an individual that is assessable for separate school purposes under a notice under section 147 or of a corporation or cooperative that has given notice under section 148 that all or a portion of its property is assessable for separate school purposes is assessable for a special school tax levy by a board of a separate school division. Division 6 Levying and Collection of Taxes by a Board Definition 176 In this Division, “collecting board” means a board that is authorized under section 177 to levy and collect taxes. Authorization to levy and collect taxes 177 (1) The Minister may by order authorize a board to levy and collect taxes as a collecting board in accordance with section 178 with respect to its whole area. (2) An order made under subsection (1) must be published in The Alberta Gazette. Collecting board 178 (1) A collecting board (a) has, for the purpose of imposing, collecting and refunding taxes, all the powers with respect to the imposition and collection of taxes that are vested in a municipality by the Municipal Government Act , and (b) has and may exercise all the powers and duties of a municipality under this Act and the Municipal Government Act , but only to the extent that the power is not being exercised in the district by any other public authority. (2) A collecting board may exercise the powers given by subsection (1) only in accordance with a plebiscite conducted under Division 5 or as a municipality under Division 4. Exemption 179 Division 3 as it relates to the making of requisitions on municipalities does not apply to a collecting board. Division 7 Borrowing Borrowing 180 (1) Subject to subsection (2), a board may borrow to meet operating and capital expenditures only with the prior approval of the Minister. (2) The Minister may make regulations respecting the circumstances in which a board is not required to obtain the prior approval of the Minister before borrowing to meet operating and capital expenditures, including qualifying conditions or requirements that the Minister considers appropriate. (3) The Minister may approve all or a part of a request to borrow and may impose any conditions on the approval that the Minister considers appropriate. (4) Where the amount of any borrowing by a board is secured, a charge secured by the board is not effective against the Government, the municipality or any other person who is not a party to the charge. (5) The Minister may make regulations respecting borrowing by a board under this section. Borrowing by debenture 181 (1) Whenever a board intends to borrow by the issuance of a debenture, the board must (a) pass a bylaw authorizing the borrowing, and (b) notwithstanding section 180(2), obtain the prior approval of the Minister. (2) If the Minister, under section 180, approves a request by a board to borrow by the issuance of a debenture, the Minister shall, as soon as possible after giving the approval, publish a notice of the approval in The Alberta Gazette. (3) A debenture must not be issued after the expiration of 3 years from the date on which the notice of the approval was published in The Alberta Gazette under subsection (2). Validity of debentures 182 Any debenture issued under this Act is valid and binding on a board notwithstanding any insufficiency in form or substance or otherwise of the bylaw or of the authority of the board in respect of it. Use of unexpended debenture proceeds 183 (1) If (a) debentures have been issued for a capital expenditure, and (b) on completion of the work or in consequence of its partial abandonment there remains a balance of funds, a board shall, by resolution reciting the facts, apply to the Minister for authority to use that balance for any purpose not authorized by the bylaw under which the debentures were issued. (2) Where the board makes an application under subsection (1), the Minister may, on the terms and conditions that the Minister considers proper, grant permission to a board to use the balance of funds for the purpose set out in the application. Improper application of money borrowed 184 (1) If a board uses money that was borrowed for a capital expenditure for a purpose not authorized under section 143 or 183, the persons who were trustees of the board when it approved the improper application of the capital money, whether or not they are still trustees, are jointly and severally liable for the payment to the board of the amount of money applied to the unauthorized use. (2) A person is not liable under subsection (1) (a) if, being a trustee when the improper application of the capital money was approved and being present at the meeting of the trustees or of a committee of the trustees when it was approved, the person (i) voted against the improper application of capital money at that meeting, (ii) requested the person’s name and vote to be recorded, and (iii) notified the Minister in writing of the person’s objection to the improper application of the capital money within 8 days from the date of that meeting, or (b) if, being a trustee when the improper application of the capital money was approved but not being present at the meeting of the trustees or of a committee of the trustees when it was approved, the person (i) filed with the secretary of the board a written objection to the improper application of the capital money, and (ii) notified the Minister in writing of the person’s objection, within 30 days from the date on which the person first had notice that the improper application of the capital money was approved. Liability of trustees 185 Where a trustee is liable to a board for funds under this Part, the amount for which the trustee is liable may be recovered by the board by legal action as a debt due from the trustee. Enforcement of liability of trustees 186 (1) On the application to the Court of King’s Bench by any elector of the school division, the Court, if it is satisfied that (a) the elector has reasonable grounds for believing that the board has a cause of action under section 143, 183 or 184, and (b) either (i) the board has refused or failed to commence an action to recover the funds within 60 days from the date of receipt of a written request from the elector to do so, or (ii) the board has failed to prosecute diligently an action commenced by it to recover the funds, may make an order, on any terms as to security for costs and otherwise that the Court considers proper, requiring the Minister of Justice to commence or continue an action in the name and on behalf of the board to recover the funds. (2) The board and the Minister of Justice (a) must be given notice of any application under subsection (1), and (b) must have the right to appear and be heard in respect of the application. (3) Every order made under subsection (1) must require that the board (a) co‑operate fully with the Minister of Justice in the institution and prosecution of the action, and (b) make available to the Minister of Justice all books, records, documents and other material or information known to the board or reasonably ascertainable by the board that is relevant to the action. 2012 cE-0.3 s186;AR 217/2022;2022 c21 s19 Division 8 Property Interpretation 186.1 (1) In this Division, (a) “approved new school project” means a school building project approved under section 195(1) in respect of the following but does not include the purchase of, relocation of, renovation, including maintenance, of, making of structural changes to, extension of, addition to or building access roads for a school building: (i) the building of a new building as a new or replacement school building; (ii) the repurposing of an existing building as a new school building; (iii) site preparation in relation to an activity referred to in subclause (i) or (ii); (b) “new school real property” means a parcel of land in respect of which an owner is recorded on the certificate of title issued under the Land Titles Act as the holder of a fee simple interest; (c) “owner” means the following: (i) in the case of new school real property that is held jointly or as tenants in common by a board and municipality, the board and municipality; (ii) in any other case, a board or municipality; (d) “reserve designation” means a designation in respect of one of the following on a certificate of title issued under the Land Titles Act : (i) a municipal and school reserve; (ii) a municipal reserve; (iii) a school reserve. (2) Unless the context indicates otherwise, a word or expression that is used but not defined in this Division, but is defined in the Land Titles Act , has the same meaning as in that Act. 2025 c6 s19 Real and personal property 187 A board shall provide and maintain adequate real and personal property for its administrative and educational purposes. Transfer of new school real property 187.1 (1) An owner’s interest in the new school real property that is required for the completion of an approved new school project transfers, in accordance with subsections (2) to (4), to the Crown on (a) the Minister providing the owner with a written notice of the transfer, and (b) the expiry of (i) 45 days after the day on which the Minister provides the owner with the written notice of the transfer, or (ii) the period otherwise specified in the written notice of transfer. (2) For the purpose of subsection (1), the new school real property identified in a school building project is the new school real property required for the completion of an approved new school project. (3) On the expiry of the applicable period in respect of the written notice referred to in subsection (1)(b), (a) the ownership of the new school real property that is the subject of the written notice is considered to have legally transferred to the Crown, (b) for the purposes of issuing a certificate of title under the Land Titles Act to the Crown in respect of its ownership of the new school real property, the Minister must (i) provide a copy of the written notice to the Registrar, and (ii) request the issuance of a new certificate of title to the Crown as represented by the Minister, (c) the transfer is not to be treated as an expropriation under the Expropriation Act , and (d) the transfer is not grounds for any cause of action under an enactment or at common law. (4) On transfer of ownership of new school real property under subsection (1) from an owner to the Crown in respect of an approved new school project, the Minister (a) may pay to the owner the amount determined in accordance with the regulations, if any, and (b) must, in accordance with the regulations, if any, offer a leasehold interest in the new school real property to each board to which the approved new school project relates. (5) Before issuing a certificate of title to the Crown as referred to in subsection (3)(b)(ii), the Registrar of Land Titles must, if applicable, remove the reserve designation from the certificate of title. 2025 c6 s20 Acquisition of property 188 A board shall notify the Minister within 30 days from the date on which the board purchases or enters into an agreement to purchase land or an interest in land or a school building or an interest in a school building. Joint property 189 (1) Subject to section 195, a board may enter into an agreement with one or more other boards, persons or municipalities for the joint construction, ownership, control, management, maintenance, operation or use of a school building, public work or a building without the prior approval of the Minister. (2) An agreement entered into under subsection (1) must be in writing. (3) A board shall provide a copy of an agreement entered into under subsection (1) to the Minister on request. Non‑school buildings 190 (1) When a board proposes to construct, purchase or lease a non‑school building, the board shall give public notice in accordance with the regulations of its intention to construct, purchase or lease the building if the estimated cost of the construction, the purchase price or the leasehold costs over the term of the lease exceed $500 000. (2) For the purposes of this section, if a building is to be constructed, the estimated cost of the construction of the building is the cost estimated by the architect employed or consulted by the board, and the estimate must be incorporated in a minute of the board. (3) If a board (a) receives a petition in accordance with the regulations respecting the construction, purchase or leasing of a non‑school building within 15 days from the end of the period of public notice set out in the regulations, and (b) decides to proceed with the construction, purchase or lease of a non‑school building, the board shall submit the question to a vote of the electors. (4) The board shall (a) send to the Minister a copy of each request contained in the petition received under subsection (3) within 5 days from the date of receiving it, and (b) advise the Minister in writing within 14 days from the date of the vote of the outcome of each vote conducted under subsection (3). (5) If the result of the vote under subsection (3) is to defeat the proposal to construct, purchase or lease a building, the board is bound by the vote for a period of 12 months from the date of the vote and during that 12‑month period the board shall not propose to construct, purchase or lease the same or a similar building. 2012 cE‑0.3 s190;2015 c6 s28 Expropriation 191 (1) If a board is unable to acquire land or an interest in land necessary for it to carry out its functions, the board may apply to the Minister in accordance with subsection (2) for authority to expropriate the land or the interest in land under the Expropriation Act . (2) An application to the Minister by a board must set out the facts and reasons for the request for authority to expropriate. (3) The Minister may make any investigation the Minister considers necessary into the application and, if the Minister is satisfied that the expropriation is necessary, the Minister shall issue an order authorizing the board to expropriate the land or the interest in land specified in the order. (4) Until the Minister issues an order authorizing a board to expropriate, a board has no power to expropriate. Disposition of property 192 (1) Subject to this section, section 193, the regulations, Part 17 of the Municipal Government Act and the Public Lands Act , a board may, with the written approval of the Minister, sell, lease, rent or otherwise dispose of any of its real property. (2) Where a board has determined that it no longer has a use for a school building, it must notify the Minister in writing. (3) Where a board provides notice to the Minister under subsection (2), the Minister may, in writing, direct the board to dispose of that property subject to the terms and conditions that the Minister prescribes. (4) The Registrar of Land Titles shall not accept an instrument that has the effect of transferring from a board any real property of the board unless the instrument is accompanied with (a) the approval given under subsection (1), or a certified copy of it, or (b) the direction given under subsection (3), or a certified copy of it. Leasing of property 193 A board may, without the approval of the Minister, (a) lease any real property that is not a school building or a portion of a school building, (b) lease a school building or a portion of a school building for less than 12 months, or (c) lease a school building or a portion of a school building for 12 months or more if the lease contains a termination provision allowing the board to terminate the lease on 12 months’ notice. Regulations 194 The Minister may make regulations (a) respecting the board’s disposition of property; (b) respecting the determination of an amount payable under section 187.1(4)(a); (c) respecting the offering of a leasehold interest as referred to in section 187.1(4)(b). 2012 cE‑0.3 s194;2025 c6 s21 School building and non‑school building projects 195 (1) A school jurisdiction may not engage in a school building project without the prior written approval of the Minister. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), prior written approval of the Minister is not required where a school jurisdiction relocates or leases a portable or modular room at the school jurisdiction’s own expense. (3) Where a school jurisdiction relocates or leases a portable or modular room at its own expense, the school jurisdiction must notify the Minister within 90 days of the relocation or lease. (4) The Minister may establish terms and conditions under which a board may engage in a school building project. (5) Subject to the regulations, a school jurisdiction may engage in a non‑school building project without Ministerial approval. (6) The Minister may make regulations respecting school building and non‑school building projects. Part 7 Education Professions and Occupations Division 1 Responsibilities Registrar 195.1 (1) The Minister may, in writing, appoint an individual to act as the Registrar for the purposes of this Act and the regulations. (2) The Registrar may delegate any power, duty or function conferred on the Registrar under this Act or the regulations to any employee or class of employees in the Minister’s department. 2022 c7 s4 Teachers 196 (1) A teacher while providing instruction or supervision must (a) provide instruction competently to students; (b) teach the courses and programs of study that are prescribed, approved or authorized pursuant to this Act; (c) promote goals and standards applicable to the provision of education adopted or approved pursuant to this Act; (d) encourage and foster learning in students; (e) regularly assess students and periodically report the results of the assessment to the students, the students’ parents and the board; (f) maintain, under the direction of the principal, order and discipline among the students while they are in the school or on the school grounds and while they are attending or participating in activities sponsored or approved by the board; (g) subject to any applicable collective agreement and the teacher’s contract of employment, carry out the duties that are assigned to the teacher by the principal or the board. (2) At any time during the period of time that a teacher is under an obligation to a board to provide instruction or supervision or to carry out duties assigned to the teacher by a principal or the board, the teacher must, at the request of the board, (a) participate in curriculum development and field testing of new curriculum, (b) develop, field test and mark provincial assessments, and (c) supervise student teachers. 2012 cE‑0.3 s196;2015 c6 s29 Principals 197 A principal of a school must (a) provide instructional leadership in the school, (a.1) provide a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging, (b) ensure that the instruction provided by the teachers employed in the school is consistent with the courses and programs of study prescribed, approved or authorized pursuant to this Act, (c) evaluate or provide for the evaluation of programs offered in the school, (d) ensure that students in the school have the opportunity to meet the standards of education set by the Minister, (e) direct the management of the school, (f) maintain order and discipline in the school and on the school grounds and during activities sponsored or approved by the board, (g) promote co‑operation between the school and the community that it serves, (h) supervise the evaluation and advancement of students, (i) evaluate the teachers employed in the school, and (j) subject to any applicable collective agreement and the principal’s contract of employment, carry out the duties that are assigned to the principal by the board in accordance with the regulations and the requirements of the school council and the board. 2012 cE‑0.3 s197;2019 c7 s20 Division 2 Teachers Qualifications re employment 198 (1) Unless otherwise authorized under this Act, a board shall employ as a teacher only an individual who holds a teaching certificate. (2) A board may employ a competent individual to teach a language or culture under the supervision of a teacher who holds a certificate referred to in subsection (1). 2012 cE-0.3 s198;2022 c7 s5 Qualifications re supervisory position 199 Unless a person holds a teaching certificate, that person is not eligible to hold a supervisory position that directly relates to the teaching functions of a teacher. 2012 cE-0.3 s199;2022 c7 s6 Agreements 200 A board shall, on the request of an institution that has a program of teacher education authorized by the Minister, enter into an agreement with the institution permitting the individuals enrolled in the program of teacher education and their instructors to attend a classroom of a school operated by the board while the school is in session for the purpose of observing or student teaching. Regulations 201 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations (a) governing the issuing of certificates to teachers, including, without limitation, regulations (i) providing for the issuance of different classes, types or categories of certificates, (ii) providing for the form and manner of application for a certificate and the information to be provided with or in support of an application, (iii) respecting education, training and experience and character and other eligibility requirements of applicants for certificates, (iv) authorizing the issuance of certificates subject to terms and conditions, and (v) providing for procedural matters related to the issuance of certificates, including the appointment of advisory bodies; (a.1) respecting additional qualifications of principals, including leadership certificate requirements, for eligibility for designation as a principal; (a.2) governing the issuing of leadership certificates, including, without limitation, regulations (i) providing for the issuance of different classes, types or categories of certificates, (ii) providing for the form and manner of application for a leadership certificate and the information to be provided with or in support of an application, (iii) respecting education, training and experience, character and other eligibility requirements of applicants for leadership certificates, (iv) authorizing the issuance of leadership certificates subject to terms and conditions, and (v) providing for procedural matters related to the issuance of leadership certificates, including the appointment of advisory bodies; (b) governing appeals from a decision to refuse to issue a teaching certificate or a leadership certificate, including, without limitation, regulations (i) respecting the grounds on which an appeal may be made, (ii) providing for the establishment of appeal panels and setting out their powers and duties, (iii) providing for procedural and evidentiary matters related to the appeal process, (iv) authorizing the Minister to accept, reject or vary the recommendations of an appeal panel and authorizing the Minister to take any action necessary to implement the Minister’s decision, and (v) respecting the responsibility of the parties to an appeal for costs in respect of the appeal; (c) - (f) repealed 2022 c7 s7; (g) authorizing the Minister to appoint officials for the purpose of carrying out powers and duties under the regulations; (h) requiring the Registrar to keep registers and records and respecting the information that is to be kept in the registers and records; (i) respecting, authorizing and prohibiting the release of information in the Registrar’s registers and records; (j) repealed 2022 c7 s7; (k) requiring the payment of fees in respect of any matter provided for under the regulations, including prescribing the amount of the fee or the manner in which and by whom the amount is determined and who must pay it; (l) providing for the service of notices and documents in respect of matters and proceedings dealt with in the regulations. (2) A regulation made under subsection (1) may be specific or general in its application. 2012 cE‑0.3 s201;2019 c7 s21;2021 c19 s2;2022 c7 s7;2025 c6 s22 Principals designated 202 (1) A board that operates one or more schools shall designate a number of teachers as principals. (1.1) Unless otherwise authorized by this Act, a board must designate as a principal only a teacher who holds a leadership certificate prescribed by the regulations and issued pursuant to this Act. (2) The board shall assign a principal to each school. (3) The board may assign a principal to be a principal of more than one school. 2012 cE‑0.3 s202;2019 c7 s22 Acting principal 203 (1) Notwithstanding section 202, a board may (a) designate a teacher to be an acting principal for a period of not more than one year, and (b) assign that acting principal to a school. (1.1) A teacher who is designated as an acting principal must hold a leadership certificate prescribed by the regulations and issued under this Act. (2) Where a board has assigned an acting principal under subsection (1), the board shall, within one year from the date of that assignment, assign a principal to that school. 2012 cE‑0.3 s203;2019 c7 s23 Administrative, supervisory and consultative positions 204 (1) Subject to section 199, a board may appoint any person or designate a teacher to an administrative, supervisory or consultative position. (2) When an organization representing teachers carries on collective bargaining on behalf of the teachers, a board and the organization (a) may, through negotiation, include or exclude from the teachers on whose behalf the organization is bargaining any teacher who has been designated by the board to an administrative, supervisory or consultative position, and (b) must exclude from the teachers on whose behalf the organization is bargaining any teacher who as a result of making an election under section 5.1 of the Teaching Profession Act is not an active member of The Alberta Teachers’ Association. Contracts of employment 205 (1) In this Division, “teaching day” means (a) a day on which instruction is given by a teacher, (b) a day on which a school is closed due to an emergency, (c) a day on which a school is closed by order of the Minister, (d) 2 days on which a teachers’ convention authorized by The Alberta Teachers’ Association is held, (e) holidays declared by a board, and (f) any other days that are approved by the Minister. (2) Unless the teacher agrees, a board may not require a teacher to instruct students (a) for more than 1100 hours in a school year, or (b) for more than 200 teaching days in a school year. (3) Subject to subsection (2) and notwithstanding any other agreement to the contrary, the terms and conditions of a contract of employment between a board and a teacher shall comprise the following: (a) except in the case of a teacher excluded under section 204(2), the terms and conditions negotiated, agreed on or awarded under the Labour Relations Code ; (b) this section and sections 204, 206, 207 and 209 to 219; (c) the terms and conditions agreed on by the board and the teacher. (4) Any contract of employment excluding or purporting to exclude the provisions of subsection (3)(a) or (b) is void. (5) Every contract of employment between a board and a teacher must (a) be in writing, (b) be offered to a teacher by a person acting on behalf of the board, and (c) be accepted by the teacher. (6) For the purposes of this Division, an offer, acceptance, confirmation, statement or notification must be in writing and must be (a) sent by registered or ordinary mail or by courier to, (b) personally served on, or (c) sent by fax or electronic mail to the person to whom it is addressed. Probationary contract 206 (1) A board may employ a teacher under a probationary contract of employment for a complete school year if that teacher (a) was not employed by that board as a teacher in the school year immediately prior to the school year in which the contract is entered into, or (b) in the school year immediately prior to the school year in which the contract is entered into was employed by that board under section 208 or under a contract referred to in section 209. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a teacher who was employed under section 211 is deemed to have been employed by the board under a probationary contract of employment if at the conclusion of a school year the total amount of time that the teacher taught for the board is at least equal to the amount of time the teacher would have been required to teach in a complete school year if the teacher had been employed by the board to teach on a full‑time basis. (3) A probationary contract of employment terminates on the June 30 next following the commencement date specified in the contract. (4) Notwithstanding subsection (3), if evaluations of the teacher indicate to the board that a further probationary period is required and the teacher agrees, the probationary contract of employment may be extended for a further period ending no later than the June 30 next following the date of the renewal of the contract. Continuing contract 207 Subject to this Act, a contract of employment between a board and a teacher continues in force from year to year. Substitute teachers 208 (1) A teacher may teach without a contract of employment that is in accordance with section 205 only when the teacher is employed (a) on a day‑to‑day basis, or (b) to occupy a vacancy that is expected to be less than 20 consecutive teaching days in duration. (2) Neither a teacher who teaches without a contract of employment that is in accordance with section 205 nor the board employing the teacher may appeal to the Board of Reference in respect of that teacher’s employment. Temporary contract 209 (1) A teacher may be employed by a board under a temporary contract of employment when that teacher is employed for the purpose of replacing a teacher who is absent from the teacher’s duties for a period of 20 or more consecutive teaching days. (2) A temporary contract of employment entered into under subsection (1) must (a) specify the date on which the teacher commences employment with the board, and (b) terminate (i) on the June 30 next following the commencement date specified in the contract, or (ii) on a date provided for in the contract, whichever is earlier. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in a temporary contract of employment, a party to a temporary contract of employment may terminate that contract by giving 30 days’ written notice of the termination to the other party to the contract. (4) Section 231 does not apply to the termination of a temporary contract of employment under this section. Interim contract 210 (1) A board may employ a teacher for a period of not more than 360 teaching days under an interim contract of employment if that teacher (a) was not employed by that board as a teacher in the school year immediately prior to the school year in which the interim contract of employment commences, or (b) was employed under section 208 or under a contract referred to in section 209 by that board in the school year immediately prior to the school year in which the interim contract of employment commences.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a teacher who was employed under section 211 is deemed to have been employed by the board under an interim contract of employment if at the conclusion of a school year the total amount of time that the teacher taught for the board is at least equal to the amount of time the teacher would have been required to teach in a complete school year if the teacher had been employed by the board to teach on a full‑time basis. (3) An interim contract of employment terminates on the June 30 next following the commencement date specified in the contract unless otherwise specified in the contract. Part‑time contract 211 (1) A board may employ a teacher under a part‑time contract of employment for a period that includes all the teaching days in a school year (a) to teach on a part‑time basis, and (b) to be paid only for the time that the teacher teaches. (2) When the board employs a teacher under a part‑time contract of employment, the board may, unless that teacher’s contract provides otherwise, vary the amount of time that the teacher is required to teach in the subsequent semester or school year. (3) If (a) under subsection (2), a board varies the amount of time that a teacher is required to teach under a part‑time contract of employment, and (b) the teacher does not agree to teach for that amount of time as varied, the board may terminate that teacher’s contract. (4) Section 231 does not apply to the termination of a contract under subsection (3). Transfer of teacher 212 (1) A superintendent may, at any time during a school year, transfer a teacher from one school operated by the board to another of its schools. (2) Subject to this section, if a teacher is transferred, that transfer becomes effective not less than 7 days from the day on which the notice of transfer and reasons for the transfer are received by the teacher. (3) When a teacher is given a notice of transfer, the teacher may, within 7 days from the day on which the teacher receives the notice of transfer, make a written request to the board to have a hearing before the board for the purpose of objecting to the transfer. (4) The board may set a date and time for the hearing requested under subsection (3) that is not earlier than 14 days after the teacher receives notice of the transfer unless the teacher agrees in writing to an earlier date. (5) Where a teacher makes a request to have a hearing before a board under subsection (3), that teacher must not be transferred until after the hearing is held. (6) Notwithstanding section 217, if a teacher has been given (a) a notice of transfer and does not wish to transfer in accordance with the notice, or (b) a hearing before the board under this section and does not wish to comply with the decision of the board, that teacher may resign from the teacher’s employment with the board on giving the board 30 days’ written notice of the teacher’s resignation. (7) Notwithstanding that 30 days has not passed from the date that a teacher gave notice of the teacher’s resignation under subsection (6), the contract of employment between that teacher and the board terminates on the board paying to the teacher the salary that the teacher would have been entitled to if the teacher had remained in the employ of the board for 30 days from the date of the giving of notice of the teacher’s resignation. Suspension of teacher 213 (1) When a board has reasonable grounds for believing that a teacher has been guilty of gross misconduct, neglecting the teacher’s duty or refusing or neglecting to obey a lawful order of the board, the board may suspend the teacher from the performance of the teacher’s duties. (2) If a superintendent is authorized in writing to do so by the board, the superintendent may suspend a teacher from the performance of the teacher’s duties without prior notice if the superintendent is of the opinion that the welfare of students is threatened by the presence of the teacher. (3) The superintendent shall advise the board forthwith of a suspension under subsection (2). (4) The superintendent shall advise the teacher forthwith in writing of the reasons for the suspension of the teacher. (5) A suspension by a superintendent under subsection (2) is deemed to be a suspension by the board under subsection (1) to which subsection (6)(a) does not apply. (6) The board shall (a) give written notice of the suspension to the teacher specifying the reasons for the suspension, and (b) forward a copy of the notice of suspension together with a written statement of the facts alleged to the Minister. (7) If the Board of Reference under section 237 authorizes the board to terminate a teacher’s contract of employment, the board may terminate that contract, and on so doing the board is deemed to have acted reasonably. (8) A board may reinstate a teacher who is suspended under subsection (1) or (2) notwithstanding an appeal of the suspension, and on reinstatement the teacher shall return to the performance of the teacher’s duties. (9) Reinstatement under subsection (8) does not affect an appeal of the suspension to the Board of Reference under section 231 or in the absence of an appeal the power of the board to investigate or terminate the teacher’s contract of employment in accordance with subsection (11). (10) If the suspension is appealed to the Board of Reference and the Board of Reference confirms the suspension, the board may (a) reinstate the teacher, or (b) terminate the teacher’s contract of employment, and the board is deemed to have acted reasonably. (11) If the teacher does not appeal the suspension to the Board of Reference, the board may make an investigation of the circumstances and may reinstate the teacher or terminate the teacher’s contract of employment in accordance with section 215. (12) A teacher who is suspended must be paid the teacher’s salary until the teacher’s contract of employment is terminated in accordance with this Act. (13) A board shall not employ a teacher who has been suspended by another board while the suspension is in effect. 2012 cE‑0.3 s213;2015 c6 s30 Termination of contract 214 (1) A contract of employment between a board and a teacher automatically terminates at the time that (a) the teacher’s teaching certificate is suspended or cancelled by the Minister, or (b) the teacher’s teaching certificate expires. (2) A contract of employment between a board and a teacher or a designation of a teacher made pursuant to section 202, 203 or 204 may be terminated by mutual consent. 2012 cE-0.3 s214;2022 c7 s8 Termination of designation as principal 214.1 The designation of a teacher as a principal automatically terminates at the time that (a) the prescribed leadership certificate held by the principal is suspended or cancelled by the Minister, or (b) the prescribed leadership certificate held by the principal expires. 2019 c7 s24 Termination by board 215 (1) Whether or not the board has suspended a teacher under section 213 and whether or not the suspension, if any, has been appealed to the Board of Reference, a board may terminate (a) a contract of employment with a teacher, or (b) a designation of a teacher made pursuant to section 202, 203 or 204, after serving the teacher with written notice of termination not less than 30 days prior to the effective date of termination. (2) In terminating a contract of employment or a designation, the board shall act reasonably. (3) A notice of termination of a contract of employment or a designation must specify the reasons for the termination. (4) Where a teacher has been served with a notice of termination of a contract of employment or a designation, the board may suspend the teacher from the performance of the teacher’s duties in accordance with the notice. (5) A notice of termination of, or the termination of, a designation does not terminate a contract of employment. (6) A teacher who has been suspended under this section must be paid the teacher’s salary until the effective date of the termination of the teacher’s contract of employment or the designation. (7) If a teacher is served with notice of termination under subsection (1) and the teacher has been suspended under section 213 before the notice is served, an appeal, if any, to the Board of Reference in respect of the suspension must not be proceeded with but is merged with the appeal, if any, to the Board of Reference in respect of the termination under this section. Termination by teacher 216 (1) A teacher may terminate (a) a contract of employment with a board, or (b) a designation of the teacher made pursuant to section 202, 203 or 204, by giving the board 30 days’ written notice of the teacher’s intention to terminate that contract or designation. (2) If a teacher has terminated the teacher’s contract of employment with a board before rendering any service under the contract, the teacher must not be employed by another board unless the board with which the teacher’s contract was terminated gives its prior approval to the teacher’s employment with the other board. Notice of termination 217 (1) Subject to section 214(2), a notice of termination of a contract of employment or of a designation made pursuant to section 202, 203 or 204 must not be given by a board or a teacher (a) in the 30 days preceding, or (b) during a vacation period of 14 or more days’ duration. (2) Notwithstanding section 215(1) and subsection (1), if a teacher or principal has been convicted of an indictable offence, a board may terminate the teacher’s or principal’s contract of employment or the designation made pursuant to section 202, 203 or 204 without prior notice (a) on the conclusion of an appeal from the conviction or a proceeding to quash the conviction, or (b) if no appeal is made and no proceeding is commenced, at the end of the period within which an appeal may be made or a proceeding commenced. 218 Repealed 2022 c7 s9. Termination of designation 219 (1) Notwithstanding section 214(2), a teacher, on receipt of a notice of termination of a designation made pursuant to section 202, 203 or 204, may terminate the teacher’s contract of employment by giving 30 days’ written notice to the board of the teacher’s intention to terminate that contract. (2) No appeal may be made from a termination of a contract to the Board of Reference if the contract of employment is terminated pursuant to subsection (1). Salaries 220 (1) Subject to section 205, a board (a) shall pay the annual salary of every teacher who teaches on all the teaching days of a school year on which the school at which the teacher is employed is in operation, (b) shall, except as provided in clause (c), pay to every teacher who (i) is under a contract of employment for a period that includes all the teaching days of a school year, and (ii) does not teach on all the teaching days on which the school at which the teacher is employed is in operation, that teacher’s full annual salary less 0.5% of the salary for each teaching day on which the teacher does not teach, (c) shall pay (i) to every teacher who is under a contract of employment for a period that does not include all the teaching days of a school year, and (ii) to every teacher who is under a contract of employment for a period that includes all the teaching days of a school year but who during that year teaches on fewer than 100 teaching days, 0.5% of the teacher’s annual salary for each day on which the teacher teaches, (d) shall not deduct any amount from a teacher’s salary in respect of that teacher’s absence if the absence (i) is approved by the board or the Minister, or (ii) is (A) for the purpose of the teacher’s receiving necessary medical or dental treatment, or (B) on account of injury to or the illness or disability of the teacher, when the total number of teaching days on which the teacher is absent in a school year does not exceed the total number of teaching days of absence that the teacher is allowed under subsection (2), and (e) may authorize a teacher’s absence without pay. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(d)(ii), a teacher is allowed to be absent in a school year on not more than (a) a total of 20 teaching days, or (b) the number of teaching days determined by dividing by 9 the total number of teaching days that the teacher taught for the board during the school year, whichever is the lesser number of teaching days. (3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(d)(ii), a board may require the teacher to provide it with a certificate from a physician or a dentist. (4) A board may allow a teacher to be absent and pay full or part salary to the teacher for a greater number of teaching days than the number of teaching days calculated in accordance with subsection (2). (5) A board may adopt a scheme whereby a teacher may earn, during the teacher’s service with a board, an entitlement to salary applicable to periods of illness, the unused portion of which may be carried forward from year to year. (6) Notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, a board shall, (a) on or before the last day of each month, or (b) within 7 days from the date of the termination of a contract of employment, pay to a teacher under a contract of employment the money due to the teacher. (7) Notwithstanding subsection (6), a board may withhold (a) at the end of each school year, or (b) at the termination of a teacher’s contract of employment, an amount not exceeding one month’s pay for a period ending not later than 7 days after the submission by the teacher of any reports, returns or property of the board or the Government that are required to be returned to the board or the Government. (8) When a teacher’s employment with a board terminates prior to (a) the conclusion of the school year, in the case of a teacher employed under a contract to teach during all the teaching days in a school year, or (b) the expiry date provided for in the contract or under this Act, in the case of a teacher employed under a contract to teach for part of a school year, the board may deduct from the amounts payable to that teacher 0.5% of the teacher’s annual salary for each teaching day that the teacher was absent that exceeds (c) the number of teaching days that the teacher is allowed under subsection (2)(a), or (d) the number of teaching days determined by dividing by 9 the total number of teaching days that the teacher taught for the board in the school year in which the teacher’s employment was terminated, whichever is the greater number of teaching days. Unqualified teachers 221 (1) Unless otherwise authorized under this Act, a board shall not knowingly employ as a teacher a person who does not hold a teaching certificate. (2) Unless otherwise authorized under this Act, a person shall not teach in a school operated by a board unless that person holds a teaching certificate. (3) A person who is not permitted to teach is not entitled to recover any remuneration for the person’s services as a teacher. 2012 cE-0.3 s221;2022 c7 s10 Division 3 Non‑teaching Employees Superintendent of schools 222 (1) Subject to the regulations, a board shall appoint or reappoint an individual as a superintendent of schools for a period of not more than 5 years. (1.1) Unless otherwise authorized under this Act, a board must appoint as a superintendent of schools only a teacher who holds a superintendent leadership certificate prescribed by the regulations and issued under this Act. (1.2) A teacher who is appointed or reappointed as an acting superintendent must hold a superintendent leadership certificate prescribed by the regulations and issued under this Act. (2) Where a board appoints or reappoints a superintendent of schools under subsection (1), the board must notify the Minister in the form and manner required by the Minister of the appointment or reappointment within 14 days after the date of the appointment or reappointment. (3) The superintendent is the chief executive officer of the board and the chief education officer of the school division. (4) The superintendent shall carry out the duties assigned to the superintendent by the board. (5) The superintendent shall supervise the operation of schools and the provision of education programs in the school division, including, but not limited to, the following: (a) implementing education policies established by the Minister; (b) ensuring that students have the opportunity in the school division to meet the standards of education set by the Minister; (c) ensuring that the fiscal management of the school division by the treasurer or secretary‑treasurer is in accordance with the terms or conditions of any grants received by the board under this Act or any other Act; (d) providing leadership in all matters relating to education in the school division. (6) The superintendent shall report to the Minister with respect to the matters referred to in subsection (5)(a) to (d) at least once a year. (7) A report required under subsection (6) must be in the form and contain the information required by the Minister. 2012 cE‑0.3 s222;2019 c7 s26;2021 cC-18.8 s86 Contract of employment 223 (1) A board may enter into a contract of employment or a contract renewing a contract of employment with an individual who is appointed as a superintendent only if the contract is in accordance with the regulations and includes a maximum term of not more than 5 years. (2) A contract of employment referred to in subsection (1) automatically terminates at the time that (a) the prescribed superintendent leadership certificate held by the superintendent is suspended or cancelled by the Minister, or (b) the prescribed superintendent leadership certificate held by the superintendent expires. (3) If a contract referred to in subsection (1) is terminated by either party before the date of termination specified in the contract, the board must notify the Minister in writing of the termination. (4) to (7) Repealed 2021 cC‑18.8 s86. (8) This section applies to a contract renewing a contract of employment whether or not the original contract was entered into before this section comes into force. 2012 cE‑0.3 s223;2019 c7 s27;2021 cC‑18.8 s86 Regulations 224 (1) The Minister may make regulations respecting the qualifications, appointment and conditions of employment and the termination of employment of superintendents of schools. (1.1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations respecting superintendents of schools, including regulations (a) repealed 2022 c7 s11; (b) governing the issuing of superintendent leadership certificates, including, without limitation, regulations (i) providing for the issuance of different classes, types or categories of superintendent leadership certificates, (ii) providing for the form and manner of application for a superintendent leadership certificate and the information to be provided with or in support of an application, (iii) respecting education, training and experience, character and other eligibility requirements of applicants for superintendent leadership certificates, (iv) authorizing the issuance of superintendent leadership certificates subject to terms and conditions, and (v) providing for procedural matters related to the issuance of superintendent leadership certificates, including the appointment of advisory bodies; (c) governing appeals from a decision to refuse to issue a superintendent leadership certificate, including, without limitation, regulations (i) respecting the grounds on which an appeal may be made, (ii) providing for the establishment of appeal panels and setting out their powers and duties, (iii) providing for procedural and evidentiary matters related to the appeal process, (iv) authorizing the Minister to accept, reject or vary the recommendations of an appeal panel and authorizing the Minister to take any action necessary to implement the Minister’s decision, and (v) respecting the responsibility of the parties to an appeal for costs in respect of the appeal; (d) - (f) repealed 2022 c7 s11; (g) authorizing the Minister to appoint officials for the purpose of carrying out powers and duties under the regulations; (h) requiring the Registrar to keep registers and records and respecting the information that is to be kept in the registers and records; (i) respecting, authorizing and prohibiting the release of information in the Registrar’s registers and records; (j) repealed 2022 c7 s11; (k) requiring the payment of fees in respect of any matter provided for under the regulations, including prescribing the amount of the fee or the manner in which and by whom the amount is determined and who must pay it; (l) providing for the service of notices and documents in respect of matters and proceedings dealt with in the regulations. (2) A regulation made under subsection (1) or (1.1) may be specific or general in its application. 2012 cE‑0.3 s224;2019 c7 s28;2022 c7 s11 Other non‑teaching employees 225 In addition to the employees referred to in sections 68 and 222, the board may employ other non‑teaching employees that the board considers necessary for its operation. Division 3.1 Discipline of Teachers and Teacher Leaders Definitions 225.1 In this Division, (a) “administrator” means (i) in the case of a school operated by a board, Francophone regional authority or operator of a charter school, (A) the superintendent appointed under this Act for the board, Francophone regional authority or charter school, or (B) in respect of a matter that relates to the superintendent, (I) the chair of the board or Francophone regional authority, or (II) the operator of the charter school, (ii) in the case of an early childhood services program provided by a person other than a board or an independent school, (A) if the person providing the early childhood services program is an individual, that individual, or (B) if the person providing the early childhood services program is not an individual, the chair of the board of the society under the Societies Act , the non-profit company under Part 9 of the Companies Act or the non-profit corporation incorporated by or under an Act of the Legislature that is providing the early childhood services program, (iii) in the case of an independent school, (A) if the person responsible for the operation of the independent school is an individual, that individual, or (B) if the person responsible for the operation of the independent school is not an individual, the chair of the board of the society under the Societies Act , the non-profit company under Part 9 of the Companies Act or the non-profit corporation incorporated by or under an Act of the Legislature that is responsible for the operation of the independent school, (iv) in the case of a First Nation school, (A) the director of education, or (B) if there is no director of education, the individual designated by the Commissioner as the administrator of the First Nation school for the purposes of this Division, or (v) in the case of an institution approved by the Minister, the individual designated by the Commissioner as the administrator of the institution for the purposes of this Division; (b) “appeal committee” means an appeal committee established under section 225.9993(4); (c) “code of professional conduct” means the code of professional conduct established under the regulations; (d) “complainant appeal committee” means a complainant appeal committee established under section 225.95(3); (e) “complaint” means (i) a complaint made under section 225.91(1), (ii) a matter referred by the Registrar to the Commissioner under section 225.91(3)(a), (iii) a matter in respect of which the Commissioner, of the Commissioner’s own initiative, makes preliminary inquiries under section 225.91(3)(b), and (iv) a notice of termination referred to in section 225.92; (f) “conduct” includes an act or omission; (g) “consent resolution agreement” means a consent resolution agreement entered into under section 225.994; (h) “First Nation school” means a structured learning environment through which an education program is offered by (i) a council of a band as defined in the Indian Act (Canada), (ii) a person authorized by the council of a band as defined in the Indian Act (Canada), or (iii) the Government of Canada; (i) “hearing committee” means a hearing committee established under section 225.9(1); (j) “indictable offence” means an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada), the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada), the Food and Drugs Act (Canada) or the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) that is prosecuted by indictment; (k) “investigator” means an investigator appointed under section 225.96; (l) “investigator’s report” means a report referred to in section 225.96(4); (m) “leadership certificate” means a leadership certificate as defined in the regulations made under section 201; (n) “Leadership Quality Standard” means the Leadership Quality Standard adopted by the Minister under section 18(2)(b), as amended from time to time; (o) “panel” means the professional conduct and competency general panel established under section 225.8(1); (p) “panel member” means an individual appointed to the panel under section 225.8(2); (q) “professional incompetence” means being unskilled or incompetent in carrying out teaching duties related to a teaching certificate or leadership duties related to a leadership or superintendent leadership certificate, as described in section 225.3; (r) “superintendent leadership certificate” means a superintendent leadership certificate as defined in the regulations made under section 224; (s) “Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard” means the Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard adopted by the Minister under section 18(2)(b), as amended from time to time; (t) “teacher” means an individual who holds a teaching certificate or who once held but no longer holds a teaching certificate; (u) “teacher leader” means a teacher who holds a leadership certificate or superintendent leadership certificate, including a principal or superintendent, or who once held but no longer holds a leadership certificate or superintendent leadership certificate; (v) “Teaching Quality Standard” means the Teaching Quality Standard adopted by the Minister under section 18(2)(b), as amended from time to time; (w) “unprofessional conduct” means conduct described in section 225.4. 2012 cE-0.3 s225.1;2022 c7 s12;2025 c6 s23 Application of Division 225.2 This Division applies to teachers and teacher leaders in respect of complaints relating to alleged professional incompetence and alleged unprofessional conduct. 2022 c7 s12 Professional incompetence 225.3 (1) Failure to meet the requirements of the Teaching Quality Standard constitutes professional incompetence in carrying out the teaching duties related to a teaching certificate. (2) Failure to meet the requirements of the Leadership Quality Standard constitutes professional incompetence in carrying out the leadership duties related to a leadership certificate. (3) Failure to meet the requirements of the Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard constitutes professional incompetence in carrying out the leadership duties related to a superintendent leadership certificate. 2022 c7 s12 Unprofessional conduct 225.4 Conduct that (a) is detrimental to the best interests of students, the public, teachers or teacher leaders or the teaching profession, (b) does not comply with the code of professional conduct, or (c) is the basis for a conviction for an indictable offence constitutes unprofessional conduct. 2022 c7 s12 Code of professional conduct 225.5 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may by regulation establish a code of professional conduct for teachers and teacher leaders. (2) A teacher or teacher leader shall comply with the code of professional conduct. 2022 c7 s12 Alberta Teaching Profession Commissioner Alberta Teaching Profession Commissioner 225.6 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council shall appoint a Commissioner subject to the Public Service Act to carry out the duties and functions and exercise the powers set out in this Act and the regulations. (2) The Commissioner may be appointed for a term of up to 5 years and may be reappointed. (3) The Commissioner may delegate any power, duty or function conferred on the Commissioner under this Act or the regulations to any employee or class of employees in the Minister’s department. 2022 c7 s12 Annual report 225.7 (1) In this section, “fiscal year” means the period beginning on April 1 of one year and ending on March 31 of the next year. (2) As soon as possible after the end of each fiscal year, the Commissioner shall prepare and submit to the Minister, in a form satisfactory to the Minister, a report summarizing the Commissioner’s activities during the previous fiscal year that contains the information required by the Minister. (3) On receiving a report under subsection (2), the Minister shall lay a copy of the report before the Legislative Assembly if it is sitting, and if not, within 15 days after the commencement of the next sitting. 2022 c7 s12 Panel and Committees Professional conduct and competency general panel 225.8 (1) The professional conduct and competency general panel is established. (2) The Minister may appoint panel members in accordance with the regulations. (3) The Minister may designate the chair and vice‑chair of the panel from among the panel members. 2022 c7 s12 Committees 225.9 (1) Where the chair of the panel is directed to establish a hearing committee under this Division, the chair of the panel shall (a) establish the hearing committee, (b) appoint the committee members from among the panel members in accordance with the regulations, and (c) designate a chair of the hearing committee. (2) Where the chair of the panel establishes a complainant appeal committee under section 225.95(3) or an appeal committee under section 225.9993(4)(a), the chair of the panel shall (a) appoint the committee members from among the panel members in accordance with the regulations, and (b) designate a chair of the complainant appeal committee or appeal committee. (3) A chair of a hearing committee, complainant appeal committee or appeal committee may (a) deal with any preliminary or procedural matters incidental to a hearing, complainant appeal or appeal, (b) arrange for matters to be set down before the committee, (c) adjourn matters before the committee, and (d) perform the administrative functions necessary to enable the committee to carry out its duties. 2022 c7 s12 Complaints and Investigations Complaints 225.91 (1) Any person may make a complaint in writing to the Registrar (a) alleging that a teacher is professionally incompetent in carrying out the teaching duties related to a teaching certificate, (b) alleging that a teacher leader is professionally incompetent in carrying out the leadership duties related to a leadership certificate or superintendent leadership certificate, or (c) about alleged unprofessional conduct of a teacher or teacher leader. (2) If an administrator has reason to believe that a teacher or teacher leader has been or may have been convicted of an indictable offence at a time when the teacher or teacher leader held a teaching certificate, leadership certificate or superintendent leadership certificate or was eligible for the reissuance of any of those certificates, the administrator shall make a complaint under this section relating to that belief. (3) In the absence of a complaint, (a) the Registrar may refer a matter relating to the alleged professional incompetence or alleged unprofessional conduct of a teacher or teacher leader to the Commissioner, or (b) the Commissioner may, of the Commissioner’s own initiative, decide to make any preliminary inquiries with respect to a matter relating to the alleged professional incompetence or alleged unprofessional conduct of a teacher or teacher leader that the Commissioner considers appropriate. (4) A matter described in subsection (3) is considered a complaint but the Registrar or Commissioner is not considered to be a complainant for the purposes of this Act. (5) The Registrar shall, on receiving a complaint under subsection (1) or (2) or section 225.92, (a) refer the complaint to the Commissioner, or (b) dismiss the complaint if the complaint is in respect of an individual other than a teacher or teacher leader. 2022 c7 s12 Delegation of complainant powers 225.911 (1) Subject to subsection (2), an administrator who makes a complaint under section 225.91(1) or (2) may delegate any power, duty or function conferred on a complainant under this Division or the regulations to any individual. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply where the teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of the complaint is a superintendent appointed under this Act. 2025 c6 s24 Termination of contract as complaint 225.92 (1) Subject to subsection (4), if the employer of (a) a teacher who holds a teaching certificate, or (b) a teacher leader who holds a leadership certificate or superintendent leadership certificate terminates the contract of employment of the teacher or teacher leader on grounds related to the professional incompetence or alleged unprofessional conduct of the teacher or teacher leader, the employer shall forward the notice of termination and the grounds for the termination to the Registrar. (2) A notice of termination received under subsection (1) is deemed to be a complaint, but the employer is not considered to be a complainant for the purposes of this Act. (3) The Commissioner shall not take any action under section 225.94 with respect to the complaint until (a) any appeal to the Board of Reference or to the Court of Appeal relating to the termination of the contract of employment has been heard and disposed of, or (b) the time for commencing an appeal to the Board of Reference or to the Court of Appeal relating to the termination of the contract of employment has expired without an appeal being commenced. (4) Subsection (1) does not apply where a complaint relating to the termination of the employment of the teacher or teacher leader is made under section 225.91 in accordance with section 225.99993(2). 2022 c7 s12;2025 c6 s25 Limitations on complaints 225.93 (1) A complaint alleging that a teacher is professionally incompetent in carrying out teaching duties may be made only in respect of alleged professional incompetence that occurred within the 2‑year period before the complaint was made. (2) A complaint alleging that a teacher leader is professionally incompetent in carrying out leadership duties related to a leadership certificate or superintendent leadership certificate may be made only in respect of alleged professional incompetence that occurred within the 2-year period before the complaint was made. (3) A complaint may be made about the alleged unprofessional conduct of a teacher or teacher leader at any time. 2022 c7 s12 Commissioner’s actions respecting complaint 225.94 (1) Subject to section 225.92(3), where the Registrar refers a complaint under section 225.91(3)(a) or (5)(a) or the Commissioner decides to make preliminary inquiries with respect to a complaint under section 225.91(3)(b), the Commissioner shall, within 30 days after the complaint is referred or the decision is made, (a) make any preliminary inquiries relating to the complaint that the Commissioner considers appropriate, (b) serve a notice setting out the nature of the complaint on the teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of the complaint, and (c) notify the administrator in writing of the nature of the complaint. (2) Subject to subsection (3), within 30 days after the day on which the Commissioner concludes preliminary inquiries made under subsection (1)(a), the Commissioner shall (a) decide to take no further action with respect to the complaint if the Commissioner is of the opinion that the complaint is frivolous, vexatious or without merit, (b) refer the complaint to a mediation process under section 225.992 if the complaint relates to alleged professional incompetence or alleged unprofessional conduct, (c) refer the complaint to a dispute resolution process under section 225.993 if (i) the complaint relates to alleged unprofessional conduct, and (ii) the Commissioner is of the opinion that the complaint does not warrant an investigation, or (d) appoint an investigator under section 225.96 and refer the complaint to the investigator if the Commissioner is of the opinion that the complaint warrants an investigation. (3) If the Commissioner decides to appoint an investigator under section 225.96 with respect to a complaint relating to the alleged professional incompetence of a teacher or teacher leader, and the Commissioner is aware that the employer of the teacher or teacher leader is investigating the matter, the Commissioner shall appoint an investigator within 30 days after being advised that the employer’s investigation has been concluded. (4) The Commissioner shall forthwith (a) serve on the complainant and the teacher or teacher leader (i) the Commissioner’s decision under subsection (2), including the reasons for the decision, and (ii) notice of the complainant’s right to appeal the decision under section 225.95 if the decision is that no further action will be taken, and (b) send the Commissioner’s decision under subsection (2) and the reasons for the decision to (i) the administrator, and (ii) to the Registrar, if the Commissioner makes a decision under subsection (2)(a). 2022 c7 s12 Appeal by complainant 225.95 (1) Where the Commissioner decides to take no further action with respect to a complaint under section 225.94(2)(a) or 225.97(3)(a) or (4)(a), the complainant may appeal the Commissioner’s decision to a complainant appeal committee. (2) A complainant appeal is commenced by submitting (a) a notice of complainant appeal to the chair of the panel in accordance with the regulations within 15 days after the day on which the complainant is served with the Commissioner’s decision under section 225.94(4) or 225.97(5), and (b) payment of a fee in accordance with the regulations. (3) Subject to the regulations, on receiving a notice of complainant appeal, the chair of the panel shall (a) establish a complainant appeal committee, and (b) notify the Commissioner, the teacher or teacher leader and the administrator of the complainant appeal. (4) The chair of the complainant appeal committee shall forthwith (a) set the date, time and location of the complainant appeal hearing, and (b) at least 15 days before the date set for the complainant appeal hearing, (i) serve a notice on the complainant, the Commissioner and the teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of the complaint that contains the information prescribed by the regulations, and (ii) send the notice referred to in subclause (i) to the Registrar. (5) A complainant appeal hearing must be conducted in accordance with the regulations. (6) Within 15 days after the complainant appeal hearing, the complainant appeal committee shall (a) confirm the Commissioner’s decision, (b) direct the Commissioner to appoint an investigator under section 225.96 and refer the complaint to the investigator to conduct an investigation or continue an investigation, (c) direct the chair of the panel to establish a hearing committee under section 225.9 and refer the complaint to the hearing committee for a hearing under section 225.996, or (d) refer the complaint to a dispute resolution process under section 225.993 if the complaint relates to alleged unprofessional conduct. (7) The chair of the complainant appeal committee shall forthwith (a) serve the complainant appeal committee’s decision, including the reasons for the decision, on (i) the complainant, and (ii) the teacher or teacher leader, and (b) send the complainant appeal committee’s decision, including the reasons for the decision, to (i) the Commissioner, (ii) the administrator, and (iii) the Registrar, if the complainant appeal committee makes a decision under subsection (6)(a). 2022 c7 s12;2025 c6 s26 Investigations 225.96 (1) Where the Commissioner is directed to appoint an investigator and refer a complaint to the investigator under section 225.95(6)(b) or where the Commissioner decides to appoint an investigator under section 225.94(2)(d), 225.992(7)(b) or 225.993(7)(b), the Commissioner shall appoint an investigator and refer the complaint to the investigator. (2) Where a complaint is referred to an investigator under subsection (1), the investigator shall (a) commence an investigation within 30 days after the matter or complaint is referred, and (b) conduct the investigation in accordance with the regulations. (3) An investigator appointed under this section has the powers set out in the regulations. (4) The Commissioner may suspend an investigation at any time if, in the opinion of the Commissioner, the investigation should be suspended pending the completion of another proceeding relating to the complaint being investigated. (5) On concluding an investigation, the investigator shall send to the Commissioner a written report and copies of all material related to the investigation. (6) If the teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of the investigation is alleged to have been convicted of an indictable offence, the investigator shall attempt to confirm whether the teacher or teacher leader has, in fact, been convicted of an indictable offence and on doing so, shall include that fact in the report referred to in subsection (5). 2022 c7 s12 Commissioner’s actions after investigation 225.97 (1) In this section and section 225.98, “prescribed offence” means an offence prescribed by the regulations. (2) This section does not apply where an investigator’s report confirms that the teacher or teacher leader who is under investigation has been convicted of a prescribed offence that proceeded by indictment. (3) On receiving an investigator’s report respecting a complaint of alleged professional incompetence, the Commissioner shall forthwith (a) decide to take no further action with respect to the complaint if the Commissioner is of the opinion that (i) the matter is frivolous, vexatious or without merit, or (ii) there is insufficient evidence to warrant a hearing before a hearing committee, (b) seek to enter into a consent resolution agreement with the teacher or teacher leader under section 225.994 if the Commissioner is of the opinion that the teacher or teacher leader is professionally incompetent in teaching or leadership duties, or (c) direct the chair of the panel to establish a hearing committee under section 225.9 and refer the complaint to the hearing committee for a hearing under section 225.996 if the Commissioner is of the opinion that the complaint warrants a hearing. (4) On receiving an investigator’s report respecting a complaint of alleged unprofessional conduct, the Commissioner shall forthwith (a) decide to take no further action with respect to the complaint if the Commissioner is of the opinion that (i) the matter is frivolous, vexatious or without merit, or (ii) there is insufficient evidence to warrant (A) a dispute resolution process under section 225.993, or (B) a hearing before a hearing committee, (b) direct the chair of the panel to appoint a panel member to conduct a dispute resolution process and refer the complaint to the panel member to conduct a dispute resolution process under section 225.993 if the Commissioner is of the opinion that the complaint does not warrant a hearing, (c) seek to enter into a consent resolution agreement with the teacher or teacher leader under section 225.994 if the Commissioner is of the opinion that the conduct of the teacher or teacher leader constitutes unprofessional conduct, (d) direct the chair of the panel to establish a hearing committee under section 225.9 and refer the complaint to the hearing committee for a hearing under section 225.996 if (i) the investigator’s report confirms that the teacher or teacher leader has been convicted of an indictable offence other than a prescribed offence, or (ii) the Commissioner is of the opinion that the complaint warrants a hearing, or (e) initiate the process under section 225.98 if the investigator’s report confirms that the teacher or teacher leader has been convicted of a prescribed offence that proceeded by indictment. (5) The Commissioner shall (a) serve on the complainant, if any, and the teacher or teacher leader (i) the Commissioner’s decision under subsection (3) or (4), including the reasons for the decision, and (ii) notice of the complainant’s right to appeal the decision under section 225.95 if the decision is to take no further action, and (b) send the Commissioner’s decision under subsection (3) or (4), including the reasons for the decision (i) to the administrator, and (ii) to the Registrar, if the Commissioner makes a decision under subsection (3)(a) or (4)(a). (6) The Commissioner shall send to the teacher or teacher leader the investigator’s report. 2022 c7 s12;2025 c6 s27 Expedited Process for Cancellation of Certificates Where report confirms conviction for prescribed offence 225.98 Where an investigator’s report confirms that a teacher or teacher leader has been convicted of a prescribed offence that proceeded by indictment, the Commissioner shall (a) send to the Minister (i) the investigator’s report, and (ii) the Commissioner’s recommendation as to whether (A) the Minister should cancel one or more certificates issued to the teacher or teacher leader without referring the matter to a hearing committee, or (B) the complaint should be referred to a hearing committee, (b) serve on the teacher or teacher leader (i) the investigator’s report, and (ii) a notice of the recommendation being made to the Minister under clause (a)(ii), which must include a statement that all certificates to which the recommendation relates are automatically suspended by operation of section 225.99, and (c) send to the Minister and the Registrar the notice referred to in clause (b)(ii). 2022 c7 s12 Automatic suspension 225.99 (1) Where the Commissioner makes a recommendation under section 225.98(a)(ii), all certificates held by the teacher or teacher leader are automatically suspended on the teacher or teacher leader being served with a notice under section 225.98(b)(ii). (2) An automatic suspension of a certificate under subsection (1) remains in place until (a) the Minister directs otherwise after a hearing, if the Minister directs that a hearing committee be established and the complaint be referred to the hearing committee under section 225.991(1)(b), or (b) the Minister cancels the certificate under section 225.991(1)(a). (3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the regulations, the issuance of any certificate or the length or terms of any suspension imposed under this Act. 2022 c7 s12 Powers of Minister where report confirms conviction 225.991 (1) On receiving the investigator’s report and the Commissioner’s recommendation under section 225.98(a) and the notice under section 225.98(c), the Minister shall (a) cancel one or more certificates issued to the teacher or teacher leader without referring the matter to a hearing committee, or (b) direct the chair of the panel to establish a hearing committee under section 225.9 and refer the complaint to the hearing committee for a hearing under section 225.996. (2) Before making a decision under subsection (1), the Minister shall serve on the teacher or teacher leader and send to the Registrar a notice of the Minister’s intent to make the decision.

(3) A notice under subsection (2) must (a) provide the teacher or teacher leader with a period of 15 days to provide a written response setting out any reasons why the teacher or teacher leader objects to the intended decision, (b) state the date by which the written response must be made, the form and manner in which it may be made and the address to which it may be sent, and (c) include a statement that all certificates to which the intended decision relates are automatically suspended by operation of section 225.99. (4) The Minister shall consider the response of the teacher or teacher leader, if any, before making a decision under subsection (1). (5) After making a decision under subsection (1), the Minister shall (a) serve on the teacher or teacher leader the Minister’s decision, which must include (i) the date of the decision, (ii) the reasons for the decision, and (iii) if the decision is to cancel one or more certificates, an identification of all the certificates being cancelled and the date on which each cancellation takes effect, and (b) send to the Registrar the Minister’s decision and any notices served under this section. 2022 c7 s12 Mediation, Dispute Resolution and Consent Resolution Agreements Mediation process 225.992 (1) Where the Commissioner refers a complaint to a mediation process under section 225.94(2)(b), the Commissioner shall direct the chair of the panel to appoint a panel member in accordance with the regulations to conduct a mediation process. (2) A mediation process must be conducted in accordance with this section and the regulations. (3) A mediation process must be conducted informally and in private. (4) A mediation process and all statements disclosed during a mediation process are without prejudice and confidential and may not be disclosed to any person other than the Commissioner or used in any other proceedings without the consent of the parties. (5) On concluding a mediation process, the panel member shall send a written report to the Commissioner that includes the panel member’s opinion as to whether the complaint should be considered resolved or if an investigation should be conducted. (6) The Commissioner shall send the report under subsection (5) to the teacher or teacher leader and the complainant for comment before making a decision. (7) On reviewing the report under subsection (5) and any comments received under subsection (6), the Commissioner shall (a) decide to take no further action with respect to the complaint if the Commissioner is of the opinion that the complaint is resolved, or (b) appoint an investigator under section 225.96 and refer the complaint to the investigator for an investigation. (8) The Commissioner shall (a) serve on the complainant and the teacher or teacher leader the Commissioner’s decision under subsection (7), including the reasons for the decision, and (b) send the Commissioner’s decision under subsection (7), including the reasons for the decision (i) to the administrator, and (ii) to the Registrar, if the Commissioner makes a decision under subsection (7)(a). (9) A decision of the Commissioner under subsection (7) is final. 2022 c7 s12;2023 c9 s7 Dispute resolution process 225.993 (1) Where a complaint is referred to a dispute resolution process under section 225.94(2)(c), 225.95(6)(d) or 225.97(4)(b), the Commissioner or complainant appeal committee that referred the complaint shall direct the chair of the panel to appoint a panel member in accordance with the regulations to conduct a dispute resolution process. (2) A dispute resolution process must be conducted in accordance with this section and the regulations. (3) A dispute resolution process must be conducted informally and in private. (4) A dispute resolution process and all statements disclosed during a dispute resolution process are without prejudice and confidential and may not be disclosed to any person other than the Commissioner or used in any other proceedings without the consent of the parties. (5) On concluding a dispute resolution process, the panel member shall send a written report to the Commissioner that includes the panel member’s opinion as to whether the complaint should be considered resolved or if an investigation or hearing should be conducted. (6) The Commissioner shall send the report under subsection (5) to the teacher or teacher leader and the complainant for comment before making a decision. (7) On reviewing the report under subsection (5) and any comments received under subsection (6), the Commissioner shall (a) decide to take no further action with respect to the complaint if the Commissioner is of the opinion that the complaint has been effectively resolved through the dispute resolution process, (b) appoint an investigator under section 225.96 and refer the complaint to the investigator for an investigation if the Commissioner is of the opinion that an investigation is warranted, or (c) direct the chair of the panel to establish a hearing committee under section 225.9 and refer the complaint to the hearing committee for a hearing under section 225.996 if the Commissioner is of the opinion that a hearing is warranted. (8) The Commissioner shall (a) serve on the complainant and the teacher or teacher leader the Commissioner’s decision under subsection (7), including the reasons for the decision, and (b) send the Commissioner’s decision under subsection (7), including the reasons for the decision, (i) to the administrator, and (ii) to the Registrar, if the Commissioner makes a decision under subsection (7)(a). (9) A decision of the Commissioner under subsection (7) is final. 2022 c7 s12 Disclosure to other administrators 225.9931 The Commissioner may send a notification given under section 225.94(1)(c) or a decision and reasons sent under section 225.94(4)(b)(i), 225.97(5)(b)(i), 225.992(8)(b)(i) or 225.993(8)(b)(i) to the administrator of any board, person other than a board providing an early childhood services program or First Nation school with which a teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of a complaint enters into a contract of employment. 2025 c6 s28 Consent resolution agreement 225.994 (1) A consent resolution agreement must (a) be in writing, (b) be entered into between (i) the teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of the complaint, (ii) the Commissioner, and (iii) the Registrar, (c) set out one or more admissions by the teacher or teacher leader of professional incompetence or unprofessional conduct in relation to one or more matters raised in the complaint, (d) set out one or more of the following penalties agreed on by the parties: (i) a letter of reprimand; (ii) an order to undertake professional development; (iii) a recommendation to the Minister to suspend or cancel one or more of the certificates of the teacher or teacher leader, with or without conditions; (iv) any other penalty prescribed by the regulations, and (e) contain any other information prescribed by the regulations. (2) Where a consent resolution agreement contains a recommendation under subsection (1)(d)(iii), the Commissioner shall send the consent resolution agreement to the Minister. (3) On receiving a recommendation under subsection (1)(d)(iii), the Minister may do one or more of the following, whether or not it is the recommendation set out in the consent resolution agreement: (a) dismiss the complaint; (b) issue a letter of reprimand to the teacher or teacher leader; (c) suspend one or more certificates of the teacher or teacher leader, with or without conditions; (d) cancel one or more certificates of the teacher or teacher leader, with or without conditions; (e) order that the teacher or teacher leader be ineligible for one or more certificates for a definite or indefinite period, with or without conditions. (4) Where the Minister dismisses a complaint under subsection (3)(a), the consent resolution agreement is void. (5) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), after a consent resolution agreement is entered into under this section, no further action may be taken under this Division with respect to the matters contained in the consent resolution agreement unless the teacher or teacher leader fails to comply with the consent resolution agreement. (6) In a proceeding, other than a criminal proceeding, unless agreed to by the Commissioner, Registrar and teacher or teacher leader, an individual shall not disclose or be compelled to disclose a document or other record created specifically for the purposes of entering into a consent resolution agreement. (7) If the Commissioner, the Registrar and the teacher or teacher leader fail to enter into a consent resolution agreement, the Commissioner shall direct the chair of the panel to establish a hearing committee under section 225.9 and refer the complaint to the hearing committee for a hearing under section 225.996. (8) A hearing committee to which a complaint is referred under subsection (7) shall not consider any admissions made, any information provided or any documents or other records created or provided during the parties’ attempt to enter into the consent resolution agreement, other than the investigator’s report. 2022 c7 s12 Hearings Notice of hearing 225.995 (1) On the establishment of a hearing committee to hear a complaint, the chair of the hearing committee shall forthwith set the date, time and location of the hearing. (2) At least 15 days before the date set for the hearing, the chair of the hearing committee shall serve on the Commissioner and the teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of the hearing a notice stating (a) the date, time and location of the hearing, and (b) reasonable particulars of the complaint to be heard. 2022 c7 s12 Proceedings at hearing 225.996 (1) The Commissioner and the teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of the hearing may appear and be represented by counsel or any other individual at a hearing before the hearing committee. (2) A hearing before a hearing committee must be open to the public unless (a) the complainant requests that the hearing be held in private because of the confidential nature of the complaint, or (b) the interests of any individual other than the teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of the hearing may be detrimentally affected if the hearing is not held in private, in the opinion of the hearing committee. (3) The hearing committee may grant adjournments of the proceedings or reserve the determination of the complaint before it for a future meeting of the hearing committee. (4) Evidence may be given before a hearing committee in any manner that the hearing committee considers appropriate, and the hearing committee is not bound by the rules of law respecting evidence applicable to judicial proceedings. 2022 c7 s12 Compellable witnesses 225.997 (1) Subject to subsection (3), the chair of a hearing committee, at the request of the Commissioner, teacher or teacher leader, may issue a notice requiring the teacher or teacher leader or any other individual who, in the opinion of the chair, may have knowledge of the matter (a) to appear as a witness before the hearing committee, or (b) to produce any records or documents to the hearing committee. (2) At least 15 days before the date of the hearing, the chair of the hearing committee shall serve a notice issued under subsection (1) on the individual who is the subject of the notice. (3) If the teacher or teacher leader has been convicted of an indictable offence, no person shall require the attendance as a witness at a hearing before the hearing committee of any individual who attended as a witness at the court that convicted the teacher or teacher leader of the indictable offence. (4) A witness may be examined under oath on anything relevant to the hearing before a hearing committee and shall not be excused from answering any question on the ground that the answer might (a) incriminate the witness, (b) subject the witness to a penalty under an enactment, or (c) establish the witness’s liability (i) to a civil proceeding at the instance of the Crown or of any other person, or (ii) to prosecution under any enactment, but if the answer so given tends to incriminate the witness, subject the witness to a penalty or establish the witness’s liability, it shall not be used or received against the witness in any civil proceedings or in any proceedings under any enactment, except in a prosecution for or proceedings in respect of perjury or the giving of contradictory evidence. 2022 c7 s12 Civil contempt proceedings 225.998 If a person fails to comply with a notice of a hearing committee under section 225.997 or conducts himself or herself in a manner that may be in contempt of the hearing committee or its proceedings, the chair of the hearing committee may apply to the Court of King’s Bench for an order directing compliance with the hearing committee’s notice, or restraining any conduct found by that Court to be in contempt of the hearing committee or its proceedings. 2022 c7 s12;2025 c6 s29 Proceedings in absence of teacher or teacher leader 225.999 The hearing committee may, on proof of service of the notice of hearing on the teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of the hearing, (a) proceed with the hearing in the absence of the teacher or teacher leader, and (b) act, decide and report on the matter being heard in the same way as if the teacher or teacher leader were in attendance. 2022 c7 s12 Findings of hearing committee 225.9991 (1) With respect to a complaint alleging that a teacher or teacher leader is professionally incompetent, the hearing committee may find one or more of the following with respect to the teacher or teacher leader: (a) that the teacher (i) is professionally incompetent in carrying out teaching duties related to a teaching certificate if, in the opinion of the hearing committee, the teacher does not meet the requirements of the Teaching Quality Standard, or (ii) is not professionally incompetent in carrying out the teaching duties related to a teaching certificate if, in the opinion of the hearing committee, the teacher meets the requirements of the Teaching Quality Standard; (b) that the teacher leader (i) is professionally incompetent in carrying out the leadership duties related to a leadership certificate if, in the opinion of the hearing committee, the teacher leader does not meet the requirements of the Leadership Quality Standard, or (ii) is not professionally incompetent in carrying out the leadership duties related to a leadership certificate if, in the opinion of the hearing committee, the teacher meets the requirements of the Leadership Quality Standard; (c) that the teacher leader (i) is professionally incompetent in carrying out the leadership duties related to a superintendent leadership certificate if, in the opinion of the hearing committee, the teacher leader does not meet the requirements of the Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard, or (ii) is not professionally incompetent in carrying out the leadership duties related to a superintendent leadership certificate if, in the opinion of the hearing committee, the teacher meets the requirements of the Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard. (2) With respect to a complaint that the alleged conduct of a teacher or teacher leader constitutes unprofessional conduct, the hearing committee (a) may find the conduct of the teacher or teacher leader to constitute unprofessional conduct if, in the opinion of the hearing committee, the conduct of the teacher or teacher leader (i) is detrimental to the best interests of students, the public, teachers or teacher leaders or the teaching profession, or (ii) does not comply with the code of professional conduct, (b) shall find the conduct of the teacher or teacher leader to constitute unprofessional conduct if the conduct of the teacher or teacher leader is the basis for a conviction for an indictable offence, or (c) if clauses (a) and (b) do not apply, may find that the conduct of the teacher or teacher leader does not constitute unprofessional conduct. (3) If a hearing committee makes a finding under subsection (2)(b), (a) the hearing committee shall make a recommendation to the Minister under section 225.9992(2), and (b) if the hearing committee does not make a recommendation to the Minister to suspend or cancel one or more certificates of the teacher or teacher leader, the reasons for the hearing committee’s decision must set out why such a recommendation has not been made. 2022 c7 s12 Recommendations and decision of hearing committee 225.9992 (1) If the hearing committee makes a finding that the teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of the hearing is not professionally incompetent or that the conduct of the teacher or teacher leader does not constitute unprofessional conduct, the hearing committee may recommend to the Minister that the Minister dismiss the complaint. (2) If the hearing committee makes a finding that the teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of the hearing is professionally incompetent or that the conduct of the teacher or teacher leader constitutes unprofessional conduct, the hearing committee may recommend to the Minister that the Minister (a) issue a letter of reprimand to the teacher or teacher leader, (b) suspend one or more certificates of the teacher or teacher leader, with or without conditions, (c) cancel one or more certificates of the teacher or teacher leader or cancel a certificate and issue a certificate of a different class, with or without conditions, or (d) order that the teacher or teacher leader be ineligible for one or more certificates for a definite or indefinite period, with or without conditions. (3) Within 45 days after the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing committee shall make a written decision on the hearing that includes (a) each finding made by the hearing committee, (b) the reasons for the decision, and (c) the recommendation of the hearing committee. (4) The chair of the hearing committee shall forthwith (a) serve the hearing committee’s decision on the teacher or teacher leader, (b) send to the Commissioner the hearing committee’s decision and the record of the hearing that consists of all evidence before the hearing committee, including all (i) exhibits, (ii) records and documents, and (iii) testimony given before the hearing committee, whether recorded in electronic, mechanical or handwritten form, and (c) send to the Registrar and the Minister the hearing committee’s decision, if no appeal is commenced within the period set out in section 225.9993(2). 2022 c7 s12 Appeals Appeals 225.9993 (1) A finding or recommendation of a hearing committee may be appealed to an appeal committee by (a) the teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of the hearing before the hearing committee, or (b) the Commissioner. (2) An appeal must be commenced by submitting a written notice of appeal to the chair of the panel within 15 days after the date on which (a) the hearing committee’s decision is served on the teacher or teacher leader, in the case of an appeal by a teacher or teacher leader, or (b) the Commissioner receives the hearing committee’s decision, in the case of an appeal by the Commissioner. (3) A notice of appeal must (a) describe the finding or recommendation being appealed, and (b) state the reasons for the appeal. (4) On receiving a notice of appeal, the chair of the panel shall (a) establish an appeal committee, and (b) notify the following that the notice of appeal has been received: (i) the teacher or teacher leader, in the case of an appeal by the Commissioner; (ii) the Commissioner, in the case of an appeal by a teacher or teacher leader; (iii) the administrator. 2022 c7 s12 Notice of appeal hearing 225.9994 (1) On the establishment of an appeal committee to hear an appeal, the chair of the appeal committee shall forthwith set the date, time and location of the hearing. (2) At least 15 days before the date set for the appeal hearing, the chair of the appeal committee shall notify the teacher or teacher leader and the Commissioner of (a) the date, time and location of the appeal hearing, and (b) the rights of the teacher or teacher leader under section 225.9995(1). 2022 c7 s12 Proceedings at appeal hearing 225.9995 (1) At the appeal hearing, the teacher or teacher leader and the Commissioner may (a) appear and be represented by counsel or any other individual, (b) make written and oral representations, and (c) at the request of the appeal committee, provide clarification of any matter under consideration by the appeal committee. (2) An appeal hearing must be open to the public unless, in the opinion of the appeal committee, the interests of any person other than the teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of the appeal hearing may be detrimentally affected if the hearing is not held in private. (3) The appeal must be founded on the hearing committee’s decision and the record of the proceedings before the hearing committee. (4) Sections 225.996(3) and (4), 225.997 and 225.998 apply to proceedings before an appeal committee. 2022 c7 s12 Decision of appeal committee 225.9996 (1) Within 30 days after the conclusion of an appeal hearing, an appeal committee shall do one or more of the following: (a) quash, vary or confirm a finding or recommendation of the hearing committee or substitute a finding or recommendation of its own; (b) refer the matter back to the hearing committee for further consideration, if the appeal committee is satisfied that new evidence is available; (c) direct the chair of the panel to establish a new hearing committee under section 225.9 and refer the matter to the hearing committee for a new hearing under section 225.996. (2) The appeal committee shall make a written decision on the appeal that includes the reasons for the decision. (3) The chair of the appeal committee shall forthwith (a) serve the appeal committee’s decision on the teacher or teacher leader, (b) send to the Commissioner the appeal committee’s decision and the record of the hearing that consists of all evidence before the appeal committee, including all (i) exhibits, (ii) records and documents, and (iii) testimony given before the hearing committee, whether recorded in electronic, mechanical or handwritten form, and (c) send the appeal committee’s decision to the Minister and the Registrar. 2022 c7 s12 Minister’s Decision Minister’s decision with respect to committees 225.9997 (1) On receiving the decision of a hearing committee under section 225.9992 or an appeal committee under section 225.9996, the Minister may examine the record or any part of the record of the proceedings before the hearing committee or appeal committee and hear any recording or examine any electronic, mechanical or handwritten record of evidence given before the hearing committee or appeal committee. (2) On receiving the decision of a hearing committee or appeal committee, the Minister may do one or more of the following, whether or not it is the recommendation of the hearing committee or appeal committee: (a) dismiss the complaint; (b) issue a letter of reprimand to the teacher or teacher leader; (c) suspend one or more certificates of the teacher or teacher leader, with or without conditions; (d) cancel one or more of the certificates of the teacher or teacher leader or cancel one or more of the certificates of the teacher or teacher leader and issue one or more certificates of a different class, with or without conditions; (e) order that the teacher or teacher leader be ineligible for one or more certificates for a definite or indefinite period, with or without conditions. (3) A decision of the Minister made under subsection (2) must be in writing and include the reasons for the decision. (4) The Minister shall (a) serve the Minister’s decision on the teacher or teacher leader, and (b) send the Minister’s decision to (i) the Commissioner, (ii) the complainant, if any, (iii) the administrator, and (iv) the Registrar. (5) A decision of the Minister under subsection (2) is final. (6) The Minister may take whatever action the Minister considers appropriate to (a) implement a decision under this section, and (b) make public a decision under this section. 2022 c7 s12 Online Registry Online registry 225.9998 (1) In this section and sections 225.9999 to 225.99992, (a) “certificate” means a teaching certificate, a leadership certificate or a superintendent leadership certificate issued under this Act or a former Act; (b) “former Act” means (i) the School Act , RSA 2000 cS‑3, or any predecessor of that Act, or (ii) the Department of Education Act , RSA 1980 cD‑17, or any predecessor of that Act; (c) “former committee” means (i) a hearing committee or its equivalent under the Teaching Profession Act , a former Act or the regulations made under this Act, or (ii) an appeal committee or its equivalent under the Teaching Profession Act , a former Act or the regulations made under this Act; (d) “online registry” means a repository of information available to the public on a website maintained by the department administered by the Minister. (2) The Registrar shall establish and maintain an online registry for the purpose of providing the public with the information required or authorized to be published under this section and sections 225.9999 and 225.99991. (3) The online registry must enable any member of the public to access the information referred to in subsection (2) by searching the name of an individual who holds a certificate on or after the coming into force of this section or who held a certificate at a time referred to in section 225.9999 or 225.99991. (4) Subject to section 225.99992, the Minister shall publish or cause to be published in the online registry all of the following information about each individual who holds a certificate on or after the coming into force of this section or who held a certificate on or after January 1, 1954: (a) the individual’s current name and any previous name of that individual that is known to the Registrar; (b) each certificate that is held by the individual when the information is published in the online registry or that was held by the individual on or after January 1, 1954; (c) the date that each certificate referred to in clause (b) was issued and the current status of the certificate. 2022 c7 s12 Publication in online registry — certificates 225.9999 (1) The Minister shall publish or cause to be published in the online registry all of the following information about each individual in respect of whom information is required to be published under section 225.9998(4): (a) subject to subsection (3), in the case of a certificate that is suspended when the information is published in the online registry or that was suspended on or after January 1, 1990, (i) the date the suspension became effective, (ii) if the suspension has ended, the date on which it ended, (iii) if the suspension is set to end on a future date, the future date on which it is set to end and whether it is subject to being ended earlier, and (iv) whether the length of the suspension is subject to being extended; (b) in the case of a certificate that is cancelled when the information is published in the online registry, the date of the cancellation, unless the cancellation occurred before January 1, 1990; (c) in the case of a certificate that (i) is cancelled by the Minister under section 225.991(1)(a), or (ii) was cancelled by the Minister under (A) section 27.3(1)(b) of the Teaching Profession Act , or (B) a regulation made under section 201 or 224 that authorizes cancellation where an individual is convicted of a prescribed offence that proceeds by indictment, an indication of that fact; (d) in the case of a certificate that is suspended or cancelled when the information is published in the online registry or that was suspended on or after January 1, 1990, an indication as to whether the suspension or cancellation was imposed after a hearing relating to alleged professional incompetence or alleged unprofessional conduct, or both, and whether there was a finding of professional incompetence or unprofessional conduct, or both; (e) subject to section 225.99992, in the case of a certificate that was suspended or cancelled on or after January 1, 1990 after a hearing relating to alleged professional incompetence or alleged unprofessional conduct, or both, an indication as to whether there was a finding of professional incompetence or unprofessional conduct, or both; (f) subject to section 225.99992, in the case of a certificate that is expired when the information is published in the online registry, any finding of professional incompetence or unprofessional conduct, or both, that was made on or after January 1, 1990 if the certificate was expired when the finding was made; (g) subject to section 225.99992, in the case of a certificate that is suspended or cancelled on or after January 1, 2023, an indication as to whether the suspension or cancellation resulted from a consent resolution agreement; (h) subject to section 225.99992, in the case of (i) a certificate referred to in clause (c), the Minister’s decision to cancel the certificate, and (ii) a certificate referred to in clause (e) or (f), (A) any decision of, or recommendation made to the Minister by, a hearing committee, appeal committee or former committee after a hearing relating to alleged professional incompetence or alleged unprofessional conduct, and (B) the Minister’s decision, if any, to suspend or cancel the certificate. (2) The Minister may publish or cause to be published in the online registry a summary of the matters that led to a finding of professional incompetence or unprofessional conduct in the case of a certificate referred to in subsection (1)(c), (e), (f) or (g). (3) Subsection (1)(a) does not apply where the certificate (a) is automatically suspended by section 225.99, or (b) was automatically suspended by (i) section 27.2 of the Teaching Profession Act , or (ii) a regulation made under section 201 or 224 that automatically suspends certificates where an individual is convicted of a prescribed offence that proceeds by indictment. 2022 c7 s12;2023 c9 s7 Publication in online registry — professional incompetence and unprofessional conduct 225.99991 (1) Subject to subsection (4) and section 225.99992, the Minister shall publish or cause to be published in the online registry all of the following information about each individual in respect of whom information is required to be published under section 225.9998(4): (a) an indication as to whether a finding of professional incompetence or unprofessional conduct has been made in respect of the individual on or after January 1, 2023 by a hearing committee, appeal committee or former committee; (b) the decision and recommendation made by the committee; (c) the Minister’s decision with respect to the recommendation of the committee. (2) Subject to subsection (4) and section 225.99992, the Minister may publish or cause to be published in the online registry a summary of the matters that led to the finding referred to in subsection (1)(a). (3) Subject to subsection (4) and section 225.99992, the Minister shall publish or cause to be published in the online registry the following: (a) all consent resolution agreements entered into under section 225.994; (a.1) all decisions of the Minister made under section 225.994(3) to do one or more of the actions described in section 225.994(3)(b), (c), (d) and (e); (b) all decisions of a hearing committee, appeal committee or former committee issued on or after January 1, 2023 where the committee makes a finding of professional incompetence or unprofessional conduct. (4) The information required to be published under this section may be published in the online registry only if (a) with respect to a finding, decision or recommendation of a hearing committee or a former committee referred to in section 225.9998(1)(c)(i), (i) the period for filing an appeal of the decision of the hearing committee or former committee has elapsed and no appeal has been filed, and (ii) the period for making an application for judicial review of the Minister’s decision has elapsed, or (b) with respect to a finding, decision or recommendation of an appeal committee or former committee referred to in section 225.9998(1)(c)(ii), the period for making an application for judicial review of the committee’s decision has elapsed. 2022 c7 s12;2023 c9 s7 Restrictions on publication in online registry 225.99992 (1) The following information published in the online registry must not include personal information about any individual other than the individual whose certificate was suspended or cancelled, who was the subject of the finding of professional incompetence or unprofessional conduct or who made an admission of professional incompetence or unprofessional conduct: (a) a summary referred to in section 225.9999(2) or 225.99991(2); (b) a decision or recommendation referred to in section 225.9999(1)(h)(i) or (ii) or 225.99991(1)(b) or (c) or (3)(a.1); (c) a consent resolution agreement referred to in section 225.99991(3)(a). (2) Sections 225.9999 and 225.99991 do not apply where publishing the information would be contrary to any other enactment of Alberta or Canada or an order of a court of competent jurisdiction. (3) The Minister may (a) decide not to publish information referred to in section 225.9998(4) if the Minister is satisfied that publishing the information could cause injury or hardship to any individual, or (b) decide not to publish any information referred to in section 225.9999 or 225.99991 if the Minister is satisfied that publishing the information could cause injury or hardship to any individual, other than the individual whose certificate was suspended or cancelled or who was the subject of the finding of unprofessional conduct or professional incompetence. 2022 c7 s12;2023 c9 s7 Duty to Report Duty to report complaint 225.99993 (1) In this section, (a) “administrator” means (i) in the case of a school operated by a board, Francophone regional authority or operator of a charter school, (A) the superintendent appointed under this Act for the board, Francophone regional authority or charter school, or (B) in respect of a matter that relates to the superintendent, (I) the chair of the board or Francophone regional authority, or (II) the operator of the charter school, (ii) in the case of an early childhood services program provided by a person other than a board or an independent school, (A) if the person providing the early childhood services program is an individual, that individual, or (B) if the person providing the early childhood services program is not an individual, the chair of the board of the society under the Societies Act , the non-profit company under Part 9 of the Companies Act or the non-profit corporation incorporated by or under an Act of the Legislature that is providing the early childhood services program, or (iii) in the case of an independent school, (A) if the person responsible for the operation of the independent school is an individual, that individual, or (B) if the person responsible for the operation of the independent school is not an individual, the chair of the board of the society under the Societies Act , the non-profit company under Part 9 of the Companies Act or the non-profit corporation incorporated by or under an Act of the Legislature that is responsible for the operation of the independent school; (b) “employer” means a board, a person responsible for the operation of an independent school, the operator of a charter school, a Francophone regional authority or a person other than a board or an independent school providing an early childhood services program. (2) An administrator shall make a complaint under section 225.91 about a teacher’s or teacher leader’s conduct if (a) a teacher or teacher leader employed by an employer (i) is placed on non-teaching duties or non-leadership duties by the employer, (ii) is suspended from employment, (iii) is terminated from employment, (iv) resigns from employment, (v) retires from employment, or (vi) is subject to other consequences with respect to employment, and (b) the action in clause (a) results from conduct that brings into question the suitability of the teacher or teacher leader to hold one or more certificates issued under this Act. (3) Where the complaint is in respect of a teacher or teacher leader who is terminated from employment, the Commissioner shall not take any action under section 225.94 with respect to the complaint until (a) any appeal to the Board of Reference or to the Court of Appeal relating to the teacher’s or teacher leader’s termination from employment has been heard and disposed of, or (b) the time for commencing an appeal to the Board of Reference or to the Court of Appeal relating to the teacher’s or teacher leader’s termination from employment has expired without an appeal being commenced. (4) No action lies against any of the following in respect of any complaint made in accordance with subsection (2) in good faith when acting or purporting to act under this Act or the regulations: (a) an administrator; (b) a person appointed as an official trustee; (c) a person who acts on the instruction of, or under the supervision of, a person referred to in clause (a) or (b). (5) No action for defamation may be founded on a complaint made in accordance with subsection (2) in good faith. (6) Repealed 2025 c6 s30. 2022 c7 s12;2025 c6 s30 Duty to report to police 225.99994 (1) A person referred to in subsection (2) who reasonably believes that a teacher or teacher leader has engaged in conduct that involves (a) physical harm to a student, (b) sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a student, or (c) any other matter that may, in the opinion of the person, threaten the safety of a student shall report that conduct to a police service. (2) The following persons are required to report under subsection (1): (a) the Registrar; (b) the Commissioner; (c) a superintendent; (d) the chair of a board; (e) in the case of a person other than a board or an independent school providing an early childhood services program, (i) if the person providing the early childhood services program is an individual, that individual, or (ii) if the person providing the early childhood services program is not an individual, the chair of the board of the society under the Societies Act , the non-profit company under Part 9 of the Companies Act or the non-profit corporation incorporated by or under an Act of the Legislature that is providing the early childhood services program; (f) in the case of an independent school, (i) if the person responsible for the operation of the independent school is an individual, that individual, or (ii) if the person responsible for the operation of the independent school is not an individual, the chair of the board of the society under the Societies Act , the non-profit company under Part 9 of the Companies Act or the non-profit corporation incorporated by or under an Act of the Legislature that is responsible for the operation of the independent school; (g) the executive secretary of The Alberta Teachers’ Association; (h) the executive director of the College of Alberta School Superintendents. (3) When a person referred to in subsection (2)(b) to (h) makes a report under that subsection, the person shall notify the Registrar of the following: (a) that a report has been made; (b) the name of the teacher or teacher leader who is the subject of the report; (c) the nature of the conduct in respect of which the report was made. (4) If a person referred to in subsection (2)(b) to (h) asks the Registrar whether a report has been made with respect to the conduct of a teacher or teacher leader, the Registrar may disclose to the person the fact that a report has been made. (5) A person referred to in subsection (2)(b) to (h) is not required to make a report under that subsection with respect to the conduct of a teacher or teacher leader if the Registrar has disclosed in writing to the person under subsection (4) that a report has been made. (6) Subsection (1) applies notwithstanding that the information on which the belief is founded is confidential and its disclosure is prohibited under any other Act. (7) No action lies against a person reporting under this section unless the reporting is done maliciously or without reasonable grounds for the belief. 2022 c7 s12;2025 c6 s31 Regulations 225.99995 The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations (a) establishing a code of professional conduct for teachers and teacher leaders; (b) respecting the powers of the chair of the panel; (c) respecting the powers of the chairs of hearing committees, complainant appeal committees and appeal committees; (d) respecting the size and composition of the panel and the appointment of panel members; (e) respecting the size and composition of hearing committees, complainant appeal committees and appeal committees and the appointment of members to those committees; (f) establishing the number of committee members that constitutes a quorum for hearing committees, complainant appeal committees and appeal committees; (g) respecting the service of panel members in more than one capacity; (h) respecting the form and manner in which complaints are required be made; (i) respecting the powers of the Registrar with respect to complaints, including the power to provide additional information to the Commissioner respecting complaints; (j) respecting notices of complainant appeals; (k) respecting the fee for commencing a complainant appeal, including the waiver, refund and setting of the amount of the fee; (l) prescribing the information that must be contained in notices of complainant appeal hearings; (m) respecting processes and procedures relating to complainant appeal hearings, including the dismissal of complainant appeals and the representation of complainant appeal committees by counsel at complainant appeals; (n) respecting processes and procedures relating to investigations; (o) respecting the Commissioner’s power to suspend investigations; (p) respecting the powers of investigators, including the power to investigate any related matter that arises in the course of an investigation; (q) prescribing offences under the Criminal Code (Canada) for the purposes of sections 225.97 and 225.98; (r) respecting processes and procedures relating to mediation processes and dispute resolution processes, including who the parties are and the powers and responsibilities of panel members in conducting such processes; (s) prescribing penalties for the purposes of section 225.994(1)(d)(iv); (t) prescribing the information that consent resolution agreements are required to contain; (u) respecting processes and procedures relating to hearings, including the representation of hearing committees by counsel at hearings; (v) respecting processes and procedures relating to appeal hearings, including the dismissal of appeals and the representation of appeal committees by counsel at appeal hearings; (w) respecting costs that may be awarded in respect of hearings, complainant appeal hearings or appeal hearings; (x) respecting transcripts of hearings, complainant appeal hearings or appeal hearings, including the costs of transcripts; (y) respecting the service, sending or provision of reports, notices, decisions and other documents under this Division; (z) defining, for the purposes of this Division, any term used but not defined in this Division; (aa) respecting any other matter that the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent of this Division. 2022 c7 s12;2025 c6 s32 225.99996 Repealed 2012 cE-0.3 s225.99996. 225.99997 Repealed 2012 cE-0.3 s225.99997. Division 4 General Judicial review 225.99998 (1) An application for judicial review of (a) a complainant appeal committee’s decision under section 225.95(6), (b) the Commissioner’s decision with respect to a mediation process under section 225.992(7), (c) the Commissioner’s decision with respect to a dispute resolution process under section 225.993(7), (d) a hearing committee’s decision under section 225.9992(3), or (e) an appeal committee’s decision under section 225.9996(1) must be commenced within 15 days after the day the decision is made. (2) An application for judicial review of the Minister’s decision under section 225.991(1), 225.994(3) or 225.9997(2) must be commenced within 60 days after the day the decision is made. (3) An application for judicial review of (a) a decision made under a regulation under section 201 or 224 to issue, refuse to issue, suspend or cancel a teaching certificate, a leadership certificate or a superintendent leadership certificate, or (b) an order of the Minister made under a regulation under section 201 or 224 that an individual be ineligible for one or more certificates must be commenced within 60 days from the day the decision or order is made. (4) On an application for judicial review under this section, the standard of review is reasonableness. 2022 c7 s13;2023 c9 s7 Medical examination 226 A board may require any person employed by it to undergo a medical examination by a physician named or approved by the board. Labour relations 227 (1) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the Labour Relations Code applies to a board and the employees of the board. (2) A board may (a) be a member of an employers’ organization, and (b) delegate its power to bargain with any of its employees to the employers’ organization. (3) When a delegation is made under subsection (2), the employers’ organization may bargain collectively and make an agreement on the board’s behalf in accordance with the Labour Relations Code . Trustees 228 For the purposes of the Labour Relations Code and the Employment Standards Code , neither (a) a trustee of a board, nor (b) an official trustee appointed under this Act, is an employee of the board. Employee contracts 229 (1) Section 85 applies to an employee under this section. (2) No employee of a board shall enter into an agreement, other than a contract of employment, either in the employee’s own name or in the name of another, alone or jointly with another, with the board by which the employee is employed or with any person contracting with the board, if the employee has a pecuniary interest in the agreement, unless (a) other than in the case of the purchase of real property from or the sale of real property to the board, the employee (i) discloses the employee’s interest to the board, and (ii) obtains the board’s approval of the employee’s entering into the agreement, before entering into the agreement, and (b) in the case of the purchase of real property from or the sale of real property to the board, the employee (i) declares the employee’s interest to the board, and (ii) obtains the board’s and the Minister’s approval of the employee’s entering into the agreement, before entering into the agreement. (3) A contract entered into in contravention of subsection (2) is void. Criminal record and vulnerable sector checks 229.1 (1) Before a board enters into a contract of employment with an individual in a position that requires the individual to hold a teaching certificate, a leadership certificate or a superintendent leadership certificate, (a) subject to subsection (3), the individual must provide a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check to the board, and (b) the board must be satisfied that the results of those checks demonstrate that the individual is suitable for employment in the position.

(2) Where an individual is employed by a board in a position that requires the individual to hold a teaching certificate, a leadership certificate or a superintendent leadership certificate, (a) subject to subsection (3), the individual must provide a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check to the board every 5 years after the individual last provided a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check to the board, and (b) the board must be satisfied that the results of those checks demonstrate that the individual continues to be suitable for employment in the position. (3) Where a board is of the opinion that it is not possible for an individual to provide a criminal record check or vulnerable sector check, the individual must provide evidence that is sufficient for the board to determine whether the individual is suitable for employment in the position. (4) An individual referred to in subsection (2) who is employed by a board on the coming into force of this section and has not provided a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check to the board within 5 years before the coming into force of this section must provide a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check to the board within 16 months after the coming into force of this section. 2021 c19 s2;2023 c9 s7 Division 5 Board of Reference Board of Reference 230 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council shall, by order, appoint a roster of individuals who may act as a Board of Reference. (2) The Minister may name one or more individuals from the roster referred to in subsection (1) to act as a Board of Reference in relation to an appeal. (3) For the purposes of carrying out the duties and functions under this Division, the individuals named to act as a Board of Reference under subsection (2) have, in relation to that appeal, all the powers of and may carry out all the duties and functions of a Board of Reference. (4) For the purposes of carrying out the duties and functions under this Division, the individuals named to act as a Board of Reference under subsection (2) have the powers of a commissioner under the Public Inquiries Act . (5) The Alberta Public Agencies Governance Act does not apply to the roster of individuals who may act as a Board of Reference. 2012 cE‑0.3 s230;2015 c6 s31 Appeal 231 (1) This section does not apply to (a) a superintendent, chief deputy superintendent, deputy superintendent, associate superintendent or assistant superintendent of a board, or (b) a teacher who, under section 204(2), is excluded from the teachers on whose behalf an organization is bargaining. (2) Except where this Act prohibits an appeal, if a disagreement arises between a board and a teacher with respect to (a) the termination of a contract of employment, (b) the suspension of the teacher, (c) the termination of a designation of a teacher, or (d) the refusal of a board to give an approval pursuant to section 216(2), the board or the teacher may appeal the matter by sending to the Minister a notice of appeal in accordance with section 232. Notice of appeal 232 (1) A notice of appeal must (a) be in writing, and (b) set out the nature of the appeal. (2) The board or teacher appealing shall within the period specified in subsection (3) send by registered mail (a) to the Minister, the notice of appeal and a $250 deposit, and (b) to the other party to the appeal, a copy of the notice of appeal. (3) The period referred to in subsection (2) is 21 days from the date of receipt of the notice of (a) termination of a contract or of a designation, (b) suspension, or (c) refusal to give an approval. (4) A notice of appeal must set out the grounds on which the appeal is being made. Appeal referred to Board of Reference 233 (1) On receiving a notice of appeal, the Minister shall refer the appeal to the Board of Reference. (2) The Board of Reference shall, on having an appeal referred to it, (a) set the date, time and place for the hearing of the appeal, and (b) notify the parties to the appeal of the date, time and place of the hearing of the appeal. Investigation 234 In considering the matter being appealed, the Board of Reference may make any investigation it considers necessary. Hearing 235 (1) After the date, time and place of the hearing are set under section 233(2), the Board of Reference shall not make any decision in respect of the matter being appealed without giving the parties to the appeal an opportunity to be heard. (2) A person appearing at a hearing is entitled to be represented by counsel. (3) Not less than 30 days before the date set for hearing the appeal, or a shorter time period as determined by the Board of Reference, each of the parties to the appeal shall provide to the Board of Reference and the other parties to the appeal any material and information and make any disclosures as set out, described, governed or otherwise provided for by regulation. (4) Before conducting an appeal, the Board of Reference may determine any preliminary matter concerning the appeal, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, matters relating to process and jurisdiction. (5) An appeal is considered to be abandoned if one year elapses from the day that a step in the appeal was last taken. (6) Notwithstanding subsection (5), if the Board of Reference is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist for doing so, the Board of Reference may permit an appeal to proceed even though one year has elapsed since a step in the appeal was last taken. (7) The Minister may make regulations (a) setting out or otherwise describing the material and information and any disclosure that a party to an appeal to the Board of Reference must provide or make to the Board of Reference and to the other parties to the appeal; (b) governing any matter respecting (i) the provision of material and information, and (ii) the making of disclosures, under subsection (3). Appeal from suspension 236 If an appeal to the Board of Reference is from the suspension of a teacher, the Board of Reference shall inform the board and the teacher of its decision. Order of Board of Reference 237 (1) In deciding the matter being appealed, the Board of Reference may make an order doing one or more of the following: (a) confirming the termination, suspension or refusal to give an approval; (b) changing the termination date of a contract of employment or of a designation; (c) directing the board (i) to reinstate the contract of employment or the designation of a teacher, or (ii) to give the approval; (d) removing the suspension; (e) confirming the suspension and authorizing the board to terminate the teacher’s contract of employment; (f) directing a board to pay to the teacher an amount of money equivalent to the teacher’s salary for a specified period; (g) authorizing a board not to pay salary to the teacher for a specified period; (h) providing for any matter not referred to in clauses (a) to (g) that the Board of Reference considers just in the circumstances. (2) In making an order under subsection (1)(c)(i) or (d), the Board of Reference may take into consideration any matter that the Board of Reference considers relevant, but in making that order the Board of Reference must consider at least the following: (a) whether the teacher is guilty of gross misconduct; (b) whether the teacher refused to obey a lawful order of the board without justification; (c) the risk to the safety of students, co‑workers and the teacher; (d) the ability of the teacher to perform teaching duties effectively; (e) the effect of reinstatement on the future relationship between the board and the teacher; (f) the possibility of recidivism; (g) whether the reinstatement would have the effect of undermining the confidence of Albertans in general in the public education system; (h) fairness to the teacher. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Board of Reference shall not make an order under subsection (1)(c)(i) or (d) if the Board of Reference determines that (a) the teacher should not be engaged in teaching for a board, or (b) there is just cause for terminating the contract of employment or designation. (4) Subsection (3) applies notwithstanding any technical or procedural irregularity by any party to the appeal that may have taken place in relation to the matter being appealed. (5) The Board of Reference, unless the Minister directs or gives permission to the Board of Reference to do otherwise, shall render its decision, including any reasons on which the decision is based, in respect of the matter being appealed within 45 days from the day that the Board of Reference concludes its hearing of the appeal. (6) For the purpose of subsection (5), the direction or permission of the Minister may be given by the Minister before or after the end of the 45‑day period. Irregularities in notice of appeal 238 The Board of Reference may proceed with an appeal under this Division notwithstanding any technical or procedural irregularity in respect of matters dealt with under this Division if the Board of Reference is of the opinion that none of the parties to the appeal were substantially affected by the technical or procedural irregularity. Costs 239 (1) Unless the Board of Reference orders otherwise, the parties to an appeal to the Board of Reference shall contribute equally in accordance with the regulations to the payment of the costs and expenses of the Board of Reference relating to the appeal. (2) The parties to an appeal shall pay their own costs unless the Board of Reference orders otherwise. (3) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations (a) respecting the remuneration and expenses payable to a member of the Board of Reference; (b) prescribing the classes of costs and expenses that are costs and expenses for the purposes of subsection (1); (c) respecting the amount or calculation of the amount of costs and expenses payable by the parties under subsection (1). Deposit 240 (1) The Board of Reference may with respect to the deposit paid under section 232(2) make an order doing one or more of the following: (a) requiring that it be paid in whole or in part to the person against whom the decision on the appeal is made in payment or part payment of costs; (b) requiring that it be retained in whole or in part by the Minister and paid into the General Revenue Fund; (c) requiring that it be repaid in whole or in part to the person who paid it to the Minister. (2) If the Board of Reference does not make any order as to costs, the deposit paid under section 232(2) is to be repaid to the person who paid the deposit. Enforcement of order 241 (1) A copy of an order made by the Board of Reference under section 237, 239 or 240 must be filed with the clerk of the Court of King’s Bench at the judicial centre closest to the place where the cause of the proceedings before the Board of Reference arose. (2) On the filing of a copy of an order with the clerk of the Court of King’s Bench pursuant to subsection (1), the order of the Board of Reference has the same force and effect as if the order were an order of that Court. (3) A copy of an order as filed must be sent to the Minister. 2012 cE-0.3 s241;AR 217/2022 Appeal to Court of Appeal 242 (1) A teacher or a board that is the subject of an order of the Board of Reference under section 237, 239 or 240 may appeal that order to the Court of Appeal. (2) The appeal must be commenced not more than 30 days after the date on which the order is filed under section 241 (a) by filing a notice of appeal with the Registrar of the Court at Edmonton or Calgary, and (b) by serving a copy of the notice of appeal (i) on the relevant board if the appellant is a teacher, (ii) on the relevant teacher if the appellant is a board, and (iii) on the Board of Reference. (3) The appeal must be founded on the record, if any, of the evidence before the Board of Reference. (4) The Alberta Rules of Court for appeals from a judgment or order of the Court of King’s Bench apply to an appeal to the Court of Appeal under this section. (5) The Court of Appeal on hearing the appeal may (a) make any other finding that in its opinion ought to have been made on the evidence before it, (b) quash, confirm or vary any order made by the Board of Reference, (c) refer the matter to the Board of Reference for further consideration by it, or (d) direct that a new trial of any mixed questions of law and fact relating to a finding or order, or both, of the Board of Reference made under this Act be held before the Court of King’s Bench. 2012 cE-0.3 s242;AR 217/2022 Part 8 General Delegation of Minister’s powers 243 The Minister may authorize in writing (a) an employee of the Government under the administration of the Minister, (b) a board or an employee of a board, or (c) any other person designated by the Minister, to do any act or thing, perform any duties or exercise any power that the Minister may do, perform or exercise under this Act except the power to make regulations. Forms 244 The Minister may prescribe notices and forms to be used under this Act whether or not specifically required to do so by this Act. Labour Relations Code 245 Nothing in Part 1, 2, 3 or 4 restricts or prohibits or is to be construed as restricting or prohibiting a board or any employee of a board from exercising any rights under the Labour Relations Code . Alteration of time limits 246 (1) If anything (a) is to be done by a person, a board or an employee of a board within a number of days or at a time fixed by or under this Act, and (b) cannot be or is not so done, the Minister may, by order, appoint a further or other time for doing the thing. (2) An order may be made under subsection (1) notwithstanding that the time at or within which the thing ought to have been done has or has not arrived or expired, as the case may be. (3) Anything done at or within the time specified in an order made under subsection (1) is as valid as if it had been done at or within the time fixed by or under this Act. (4) When (a) a certain day is fixed on or by which certain things are to be done or proceedings taken, and (b) it appears that the date was fixed having regard to an earlier fixed date on or by which certain other things are to be done or proceedings taken, then, notwithstanding anything in this Act, if default is made in respect of the earlier date, a similar delay is allowed in respect of the later date. (5) This section does not apply to (a) the time limits mentioned in connection with a contract or the termination of a contract of employment between a board and its teacher, or (b) the time limits relating to an appeal to the Board of Reference. Petition 247 (1) Except as provided in this section, when this Act provides for the doing of anything by petition or an elector wishes to present a petition to a board, the petition must be in accordance with the regulations. (2) A recall petition must be submitted and administered in accordance with Division 5.1 of Part 4 and the regulations under that Division, if any. 2012 cE‑0.3 s247;2015 c6 s32;2021 cR-5.7 s70 Notice of public meeting 248 When notice of a public meeting is required under this Act, it must be given in accordance with the regulations. Public notice 249 When public notice, other than notice of a public meeting, is required under this Act, it must be given in accordance with the regulations. Regulations 250 The Minister may make regulations respecting (a) the form, requirements respecting validity, the process of presentation and requirements respecting sufficiency of a petition, including the process for appeals of petitions determined to be insufficient; (b) the form, contents and method of service of a notice of a public meeting or other public notice. 2012 cE‑0.3 s250;2015 c6 s33 Protection from liability for trustees, employees, members and volunteers 251 (1) Trustees, employees of a board and school council members are not liable for any loss or damage caused by anything said or done or omitted to be done in good faith in the performance or intended performance of their functions, duties or powers under this Act or any other enactment. (2) Volunteers are not liable for any loss or damage caused by anything said or done or omitted to be done in good faith in the provision of volunteer services for a board, or for any alleged neglect or default in the provision of volunteer services for the board by the volunteers. (3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not provide a defence if the cause of action is defamation. (4) This section does not affect the legal liability of a board. Protection from liability for others 252 (1) No action lies against the following persons for anything done by that person in good faith and in purporting to act under this Act or the regulations: (a) a member of a Complex Education Needs Tribunal; (b) a person who conducts a review under section 44 on behalf of the Minister; (c) a member of the Attendance Board; (d) a member of the Board of Reference; (e) a person appointed as an official trustee; (f) the Commissioner; (g) the Registrar; (h) a member of a panel or committee established under Part 7; (i) a person conducting an investigation under Part 7; (j) any person acting under the instruction of a person referred to in clauses (f) to (i). (2) No action for defamation shall be founded on a communication if the communication is published to or by any of the following persons or bodies in good faith in the course of any proceedings under this Act: (a) a member of a Complex Education Needs Tribunal; (b) a person who conducts a review under section 44 on behalf of the Minister; (c) an attendance officer; (d) the Attendance Board; (e) the Board of Reference; (f) a person appointed as an official trustee; (g) the Commissioner; (h) the Registrar; (i) a panel or committee established under Part 7; (j) a member of a panel or committee established under Part 7; (k) a person conducting an investigation under Part 7; (l) any person or body acting under the instruction of a person or body referred to in clauses (g) to (k). 2012 cE-0.3 s252;2022 c7 s14 Enforcement of judgment 253 (1) A judgment against or order for the payment of money by a board may be enforced by means of a writ of enforcement and not otherwise. (2) The writ of enforcement must specify the manner of satisfying the judgment on any terms that the court rendering the judgment determines. Enforcement by Court 254 (1) Where a board or a person employed by a board offers or provides a course, a program of study or a learning and teaching resource that is prohibited under section 18, the Minister may apply to the Court of King’s Bench for an order directing the board, or the employee, as the case may be, to desist from offering or providing that course, program of study or learning and teaching resource. (2) Where under this Act or the regulations (a) the Minister or a board is empowered to make an order or a direction to a person (i) to do an act or thing, or (ii) to cease doing an act or thing, and that person does not comply with that order or direction, or (b) the approval of the Minister or a board is required in order for a person to carry on an activity or do a thing and that person carries on that activity or does the thing without obtaining or after the withdrawal of that approval, the Minister or the board that exercised that power or did not grant or withdrew that approval may apply to the Court of King’s Bench for either or both of the orders referred to in subsection (3). (3) Where subsection (2) applies, the Court may make either or both of the following orders: (a) an order directing the person to whom the order or direction referred to in subsection (2)(a) was given to comply with the order or direction; (b) an order directing the person that carried on the activity or thing referred to in subsection (2)(b) without the required approval to desist from carrying on the activity or thing. (4) The Court may grant an order under this section (a) on the terms or conditions that the Court considers proper in the circumstances, and (b) notwithstanding that the respondent to the application has or has not been prosecuted under this Act in respect of the matter that is the subject of the application. 2012 cE-0.3 s254;AR 217/2022 Return of property on ceasing to hold office 255 Where a person (a) was a trustee or employee of a board, (b) has in the person’s possession or has control over any money, book, paper, thing or other property that is the property of the board or the Government, and (c) after being given a written notice by the board or the Minister to deliver that property in accordance with the directions in the notice, refuses or fails to deliver that property to the board or the Minister in accordance with the notice, that person is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of not more than $50 for each day that the person does not deliver that property to the board or the Minister in accordance with the notice. Prohibited activities 256 No person shall (a) disturb or interrupt the proceedings of a school, (b) disturb or interrupt the proceedings of a school meeting or board meeting, (c) loiter or trespass in a school building or on property owned by a board, or (d) conduct themselves in a manner detrimental to the safe operations of a school. Liability for damage to property by student 257 (1) If property of a board is destroyed, damaged, lost or converted by the intentional or negligent act (a) of one student, the student and the student’s parent are jointly and severally liable to the board in respect of the act of the student, or (b) of 2 or more students acting together, the students and their parents are jointly and severally liable to the board in respect of the act of the students. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the parent of an independent student. Penalty 258 Any person who contravenes section 86, 221 or 256 is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of not more than $1000. Penalty for failure to give information 259 A person who is required by this Act or the regulations (a) to furnish any information, or (b) to make a return, report or statement in writing, and who refuses, neglects or fails to do so is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of not more than $1000. 259.1 Repealed 2023 c9 s7. Part 9 Transitional Provisions, Consequential Amendments, Repeals and Coming into Force Transitional Provisions Transitional provisions 260 (1) In this section, “former Act” means the School Act , RSA 2000 cS‑3. (2) A charter school established by the Minister under the former Act whose charter has not expired or been repealed and which is still in operation when this Act comes into force is deemed to be established by the Minister under this Act. (3) A private school registered or accredited under the former Act and whose registration or accreditation has not been cancelled or suspended when this Act comes into force is deemed to be registered or accredited, as the case may be, under this Act. (4) A ward or electoral subdivision established under the former Act is continued and deemed to be established as a ward or electoral subdivision under this Act until the board of the school division where the ward or electoral subdivision is located passes a bylaw pursuant to section 76 to confirm or amend its boundaries. (5) A board referred to in subsection (4) shall confirm or amend the boundaries of its existing wards or electoral subdivisions by December 31, 2020. (6) A separate school region established under the former Act is deemed to be a separate school region established under this Act. (7) A Francophone Education Region established under the former Act is deemed to be a Francophone education region established under this Act. (8) A board of trustees of a Francophone Regional authority established under the former Act is deemed to be a board of trustees of a Francophone Regional authority established under this Act. (9) A person elected or appointed to a board of trustees or a Regional authority under the former Act continues to serve in the same capacity under this Act until the person’s term expires or is otherwise terminated in accordance with this Act. (10) A school district, school division or regional division established or continued under the former Act is continued and deemed to be a school division established under this Act with the same boundaries and a name in the following form: The ________________School Division. (10.1) A board of trustees of a school district, school division or regional division established or continued under the former Act is deemed to be a board of trustees of a school division established under this Act with a name in the following form: The Board of Trustees of _____________ School Division. (11) If property was liable to assessment (a) for public school purposes under the former Act, it is deemed to be liable to assessment for public school purposes under this Act, or (b) for separate school purposes under the former Act, it is deemed to be liable to assessment for separate school purposes under this Act, until the municipality (c) receives notice under section 147 or 148 in respect of the property, or (d) is advised that ownership of the property has been transferred, at which time the property is liable to assessment in accordance with Part 6. 2012 cE‑0.3 s260;2015 c6 s34;2019 c7 s29 Transitional regulation‑making powers 260.1 (1) In this section, “former Act” means the School Act , RSA 2000 cS‑3, as it read immediately before the coming into force of this section. (2) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations (a) respecting the transition to this Act of anything under the former Act, including the interpretation of any transitional provision in this Act; (b) to remedy any confusion, difficulty, inconsistency or impossibility resulting from the transition to this Act from the former Act. (3) A regulation made under subsection (2) may be made retroactive to the extent set out in the regulation. (4) A regulation made under subsection (2) is repealed 3 years after the regulation comes into force. (5) The repeal of a regulation under subsection (2) does not affect anything done under the authority of the regulation before the repeal of the regulation. 2019 c7 s30 Consequential changes to regulations 260.2 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, amend the regulations filed under the Regulations Act to reflect changes made by this Act. (2) An amendment made under subsection (1) may be made even though the regulation being amended was made by a member of the Executive Council or some other body or person. 2019 c7 s30 Transitional provision — private schools 260 . 21 A private school registered or accredited under this Act as it read immediately before the coming into force of this section and whose registration or accreditation has not been cancelled or suspended when this section comes into force is deemed to be an independent school registered or accredited, as the case may be, under this Act. 2025 c6 s33 Transitional provision — disqualifications for breaches of codes of conduct 260.22 Where on the coming into force of this section (a) a person is disqualified under section 87(1)(c) from remaining as a trustee of a board, that person remains so disqualified as if section 87(1)(c) had not been repealed, and (b) any proceeding under section 91(b) or (c) or 92 respecting that disqualification that is in progress or pending continues under section 91(b) or (c) or 92, as the case may be. 2025 c6 s33 Consequential changes to regulations — private schools 260.23 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may, by regulation, amend any regulation made under this or any other Act to make any changes necessary to refer to a school registered, or registered and accredited, under section 29 as an independent school or an accredited independent school, as the case may be. (2) The regulations authorized by this section may be made notwithstanding that a regulation being amended was made by a member of the Executive Council or some other person or body. 2025 c6 s33 260.3 to 262 (These sections amend other Acts; the amendments have been incorporated into those Acts.) 263 Repealed 2015 c1 s2. 264 to 264.3 (These sections amend other Acts; the amendments have been incorporated into those Acts.) 265 Repealed 2013 cN-5.5 s30. 266 and 267 (These sections amend other Acts; the amendments have been incorporated into those Acts.) 268 Repealed 2013 cF‑14.5 s23. 269 to 288 (These sections amend other Acts; the amendments have been incorporated into those Acts.) Repeals Repeals 289 The following enactments are repealed: (a) School Act , RSA 2000 cS‑3; (b) School Amendment Act , RSA 2000 c30 (Supp); (c) School (Compulsory Attendance) Amendment Act, 2003 , SA 2003 c9; (d) Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2005 , SA 2005 c28, section 10; (e) School Amendment Act, 2017 , SA 2017 c28. 2012 cE‑0.3 s289;2019 c7 s46 Coming into Force Coming into force 290 This Act comes into force on September 1, 2019. 2012 cE‑0.3 s290;2019 c7 s47