Built for trustees. Designed for real board responsibilities. Delivered with discipline and clarity.

Who This Program Is Designed For

The governance program is structured to support trustees at all experience levels through a shared learning pathway. This program is designed specifically for Alberta school boards and is appropriate for:

  • Trustees (new and returning)

  • Board Chairs and Vice-Chairs

  • Superintendents and up to two senior leaders (observer/support access)

WHY A FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM

Governance competence is not developed in a single workshop. It is built through repeated exposure, reflection, and application over time.

This program is intentionally structured to span a full four-year board mandate, allowing trustees to:

  • Establish shared governance foundations early

  • Text length of individual points can be shorter or longer depending on your needs

  • Strengthen systems and roles as responsibilities deepen

  • Apply sound judgment under pressure

  • Integrate governance practice across real board situations

The pacing avoids overload while supporting consistent development throughout the mandate.

Program Structure

The program consists of 16 sequenced courses, released quarterly over four years. Each course includes:

Each course includes:

  • Short, focused video lessons

  • Practical governance tools and examples

  • Reflection prompts to build governance judgment

  • Clear alignment to real board responsibilities

What Trustees Can Expect Over the Mandate

Year 1 — Foundations Establishing shared understanding of governance roles, authority, decision-making, and oversight.

Year 2 — Governance Systems Strengthening meeting discipline, procedural clarity, and consistent governance practice.

Year 3 — Judgment Under Pressure Applying governance principles in complex, high-pressure, or ambiguous situations.

Year 4 — Integration & Maturity Integrating governance knowledge, judgment, and practice into a cohesive, mature governance approach.

Optional Governance Support Enhancements

Boards may choose to add optional governance supports to reinforce learning or provide leadership support. These are optional and focus only on governance roles, process, and meeting practice. They do not involve decision-making, operational advice, or board authority. Additional details are available if the board wishes to explore these options.

Optional supports may include:

  • Quarterly multi-board group Q&A sessions aligned to course content.

  • Individual Board Chair coaching focused on governance process leadership

  • Committee Chair group coaching to support consistent committee governance

Enrollment & Access

Enrollment is by board, not by individual trustee.

Boards gain the greatest benefit when enrollment begins in the first year of the mandate, allowing trustees to establish shared foundations before governance pressures increase. Early enrollment supports common language, consistent expectations, and smoother decision-making throughout the mandate.

Once enrolled:

  • All trustees receive individual access

  • The Superintendent and up to two senior leaders receive observer/support access

  • Trustees complete courses at their own pace within the quarterly release structure

  • Participation information is available to the board to support awareness and planning, not evaluation.

Next Steps

This program is provided to support informed discussion about governance development over the board’s mandate. Boards are encouraged to:

  • Review the program structure

  • View the program walkthrough

  • Discuss timing and fit at the board level