Truly a Calling - Serving as a Catholic School Trustee

Being a Catholic school trustee is truly a calling, a vocation to serve your community, parish, staff, and the students and families of Catholic schools.
In St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic School Division, following the municipal election on October 16, 2017, the Board will consist of seven trustees. Those trustees represent STAR Catholic’s six communities: two trustees from Leduc, and one each from Beaumont, Drayton Valley, Wetaskiwin, Ponoka and Lacombe.
With this municipal election on the horizon, many, including yourself, may be considering whether to run for Catholic school trustee.
Those who have served on STAR Catholic’s Board of Trustees in the past can attest the calling to be a Catholic school trustee is a crucial part of promoting and protecting Catholic education in their community and in Alberta.
“Catholic schools are essential in supporting parents as prime educators of their children, in preparing them for this life and the next. Students are entrusted to the stewardship of trustees and staff for up to eight hours each school day, an awesome responsibility, but also a gift,” said former Leduc trustee Michael Wyeth, who served from 1995 to 2007 and as STAR Catholic Board Chair from 1998 to 1999.
Wyeth said the desire to maintain Catholic education as a constitutional right and ensure its future was what first prompted him to seek a seat on the Board.
Fellow former trustee Charlie Swap, from Drayton Valley, had also felt called to run for Catholic school trustee. Swap served on the STAR Catholic Board from 1997 to 2010.
Swap said there was a learning curve as a trustee, but a real sense of collaboration and accomplishment for the Division and for his community, such as a modernization for St. Anthony School and the building of Holy Trinity Academy, both in Drayton Valley.
“By being on the Board it enables you to meet and work with people and other Boards that have the same ideas and direction that you have and working together to better Catholic education,” explained Swap. “Accessing other ideas, what has worked for others and avoid perhaps taking a direction that didn’t work.”
He said he knew that the Board had support from the STAR Catholic community, central office and other school staff, all there for what’s best for our kids’ education. Trustees are responsible for the governance of the school division, that means regular board and committee meetings, and Wyeth said the work is meaningful because it represented teamwork, hard work and co-operation.
“Collaboration and communication are key. Honest, objective debate should result in understanding and agreement but compromise must not lessen final decisions,” he added.
For those considering running for Catholic school trustee, both Wyeth and Swap have some advice for those who become successful in their bid.
“Get to know fellow board members and administrative staff; establish rapport. Study policies and procedures, and accept that there are staff/trustees’ ‘sandboxes,’” said Wyeth. “Participate in parish ministries and events. Make the most of the experience and skills of all board office staff members in making well-informed decisions, attend conferences and workshops, and listen and learn, especially during years one and two.”
“Being on the Board gives you a great opportunity to meet people, make some great friends, learn how government works regarding the education process and what the total picture is to bring a Catholic education to our children. It’s such a worthwhile commitment,” said Swap.
Those interested in running for Catholic school trustee in STAR Catholic School Division must submit their nomination papers only on September 18, 2017, between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Contact returning officer Ed Latka at edward.latka@starcatholic.ab.ca for more information on the nomination process and the election. Election Day is October 16, 2017.
Nomination Candidate Information Packages are available for Download. 

What does a Catholic School Trustee Do?

• As Catholic trustees, Catholic education is entrusted to us. We must hold within ourselves a deeper understanding of and commitment to the nature of Catholic education.
• As Catholic trustees, we ensure that the essence of Catholic education, formed through partnership of home, school and parish, is recognized and supported in the political arena.
• As Catholic trustees, we ensure the support and encouragement of our teachers and school staff by providing them with opportunities for faith formation.
• As Catholic trustees, we ensure that our educational leaders are able to examine their unique role in shaping the faith life of their school.
• As Catholic trustees, we ensure that our students are seen as individuals and given the chance to study in a learning environment permeated by Gospel values and sacramental life.
• As Catholic trustees, we are evangelizers of the good news of Christ in all aspects of our lives.
• As Catholic trustees, we are stewards of our Catholic faith; with care, we tend to it in our own lives and we foster it in the lives of all whom we encounter.
• Catholic school trusteeship is a unique vocation which serves the Church and the community. The Catholic school trustee plays an integral part in ensuring that Christ is the heart and soul of every Catholic school. The uniqueness of Catholic education lies in the fact that its purpose and end is holiness.

— ACSTA (Alberta Catholic Schools Trustees’ Association)

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