For many Albertans creating safe and inclusive spaces in Alberta schools is a very important issue that will inform how they will cast their vote when voting in the upcoming school board elections. A key component to this decision is how local trustee candidates support human rights, GSA(Gay Straight Alliances) and how they respect the confidentiality of students. For many Albertans protecting these things are non-negotiable.

We are asking that trustee candidates take this pledge to state publicly that they support safe, caring, and inclusive school environments that respect and protect LGBTQ2 youth. Those trustee candidates that take the pledge will have their name published here on our website so that citizens can see for themselves which local candidates are committed to Alberta children by protecting their privacy and upholding their human rights.

Please share this pledge with all your local school board trustee candidates. Candidates can agree to this pledge by emailing us their details (name, school board, city, ward/zone)  Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

*Please note signing this pledge is strictly about confirming for Alberta voters a commitment by trustee candidates to the points listed in pledge below, and is not an indication of support for SOS Alberta initiatives.

The 2017 municipal elections are fast approaching and include school board trustee elections. Every Albertan who is eligible to vote in Alberta can vote for a local school board trustee. Elected trustees and school boards are responsible for a wide range of roles including the day to day operations of schools and the broader vision for public education in districts and the province.

We at SOSAB often hear from citizens who are unsure of what to ask their local trustee candidates and sometimes aren't sure what trustees actually do. This is why we have created the Trustee Election Handbook. It is a dynamic document that citizens can use to start conversations with and about their local trustee candidates. We would like to offer the space of our website for these conversations.

We are encouraging people to share the Handbook widely with friends and family, print it off and have it ready at the door for when candidates come knocking or take it with them to a candidate event.

Most importantly we would like people to add their own questions or perspectives. Every region in the province has a unique set of issues when it comes to public education and we would really like Albertans to share back with us and in turn with other Albertans their thoughts or questions about what they think is important to Albertans when it comes to public education. We'll try our best to post links to lists of candidates throughout the province too.

Have a look at the document below and comment, email or DM us any of your thoughts on new questions or issues we have missed and we will post them. As usual our usual caveat on comments applies(see sidebar), we want this to a positive, productive and inclusive space and will monitor things accordingly.