Edmonton school board not requiring criminal record checks for trustees
Posted December 11, 2024 11:49 am.
The Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) voted Tuesday to not require criminal record checks for trustee candidates in the next municipal election.
The board voted 5-2 against a bylaw that would require a criminal record check for trustee candidates. During debate on final reading, trustees voiced their concerns or support.
“I agree that we should be held to the same standard as our staff,” said Ward G trustee Saadiq Sumar. “However, these checks could unearth things that have no real relevance to someone being a trustee candidate.
“I believe this is a public office,” said Ward B trustee Marsha Nelson. “And as a public office, we are open to the scrutiny of the public and the public that put us here.”
“We don’t want to exclude anybody from this office because they did something a long time ago that they grew from,” added board vice-chair Jan Sawyer. “In fact, somebody like that I think would be a great addition to this board.”
“If we require it of our staff regardless, I think it doesn’t hurt that the board of trustees set that bar too,” said Ward A trustee Sherri O’Keefe.
The board’s chair, Julie Kusiek, says while teachers require a deeper vulnerable sector check to start in a classroom, a trustee’s job is different.
“A teacher’s responsible for that child during the school day,” said Kusiek. “As a school board trustee, you’re just there as a guest. You always have a staff member with you. You’re never responsible for a child while you’re there.”
Alberta’s Bill 20 does not force municipalities to require criminal record checks; it only gives them the power to do so.
If a candidate would did have a criminal record, it would not disqualify them.
Edmonton city council recently voted as well to not require record checks for people looking to get on the ballot
Kusiek says the EPSB not requiring checks as well makes it consistent for voters.
At the moment, only one person has filed paperwork to run as an EPSB trustee in next October’s election.
