Nomination Deadline Approaching for School Board Elections

EDUCATION--Nomination Deadline Approaching for School Board Elections

There are more than 148,000 reasons for Nova Scotians to get involved in the school board elections on Oct. 16. That is the number of children enrolled in Nova Scotia's public school system last year.

The deadline for nominations for candidates interested in offering for a school board position is Sept. 14.

"School board members are in the best position to meet the educational needs of their communities," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "Strong school boards are a critical element in overall student success. We work together to provide children with a quality education and to ensure the public education system is the best it can be for both students and staff."

In addition to representing students, parents and their communities, school board members help develop school policies and, together with the superintendent, manage the funds needed to carry out educational programs.

"School board members make decisions that have a direct impact on Nova Scotia's children," said Nova Scotia School Boards Association president Ron Marks. "And you don't have to have a teaching background to be an effective school board member. You have to care about children and young people, and be willing to commit the time to the role."

Nova Scotia has seven regionalized Anglophone school boards and one provincewide board for Acadian and French first language students, Conseil scolaire acadien provincial. Each regional board has elected local regional members and an African Nova Scotian member. A Mi'kmaq representative is appointed by the minister of Education.

Eligible candidates must be Canadian citizens at least 18 years of age and must qualify under the Municipal Elections Act or the Education Act.

In accordance with the Education Act, candidates for African Nova Scotian seats must be an African Nova Scotian or black person. Candidates for CSAP must be Nova Scotians whose first language learned and still understood is French; or who have received Canadian primary school instruction in a French first-language program; or who are the parents of children receiving Canadian primary or secondary school instruction in a French first- language program.

Nominations must be in writing and accompanied by the signatures of five qualified voters and a maximum deposit of $200, depending on the region. More information is available from the Nova Scotia School Boards Association 902-491-2856 or on the website at www.nssba.ednet.ns.ca .