| Policy Code | 265 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | October 26, 2020 |
| Amendment Date | — |
| Cross Reference | — |
| Legal Reference | Education Act, Section 76(4); Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, Section 14 |
Policy
Section 76(4) of the Education Act provides that a Board shall establish, implement and make publicly available a policy respecting the considerations and process used by the Board to determine ward structures.
Considerations in Determining Ward Boundaries and Numbers of Trustees
As required by the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, Section 14, the board shall consider the following in determining ward boundaries:
- the requirement for effective representation as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,
- sparsity and density of population,
- common community interests and community organizations, including those of First Nations and Metis settlements,
- wherever possible, the existing municipal boundaries,
- the number of municipalities and other local authorities,
- geographical features, including existing road systems, and
- the desirability of understandable and clear boundaries.
- In addition to the required considerations listed above that apply to the area, the board shall adhere as closely as possible to the requirement in the Education Act, Section 76(3), that "the number of trustees to be elected in each ward 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".
- Where the considerations taken into account prevent strict adherence to h) above, the guideline shall be as described in the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, Section 15, that the population represented by a trustee be no more than 25% above or below the average population represented by a trustee.
- While operating within the guidelines in h) and i), the board shall also consider population trends in order to avoid having no change to boundaries too frequently
Process for Determining Ward Boundaries and Numbers of Trustees
- The Board may contract with a consultant to research and present information to the board and to the public
- Prior to any change in ward boundaries, or to the number of trustees within a ward, the board shall provide the public with an opportunity for input. This could take the form of a public meeting, a virtual meeting and/or an online survey.
- After considering public input and the provisions of the Education Act and the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, the Board shall determine, at a regular or special board meeting, ward boundaries, the numbers of trustees within each ward, and whether the trustee(s) within each ward shall be elected at large or by electoral district.