INNISFAIL - In preparation for the 2025 election of trustees, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) has updated its policy regarding election campaigning and distribution of campaign material.
The changes includes a prohibition on candidates using board resources, including property, equipment and services.
The update came during the recent regularly scheduled board meeting.
Policy #16 applies to candidates campaigning at any level of government, including schools board trustee and outlines rules that apply to all candidates.
The policy states that board of trustees “must not appear to support one candidate over another. Further, a board member must not appear as if they are using undue influence as a trustee to support their own candidacy.”
Trustees approved several additions to the policy made in response to the recently enacted Local Authorities Election Act. The additions include the following:
• Trustees should not make inquiries of, or rely on, division staff to interpret or provide advice to trustees regarding the requirements placed on candidates for the office of trustee.
• Trustees must be respectful of the role of the corporate secretary in management of the election process and must not interfere with how the corporate secretary’s election duties are carried out.
• Trustees must not use board resources, including property, equipment, services, supplies and staff time, for any election-related activities, whether local, provincial or federal.
• Online resources hosted, supplied or funded by the board, including but not limited to trustee electronic newsletters, and trustees social media accounts used for ward communication must not be used for any election campaign or campaign-related activity, and a trustee must not use the division local for campaign purposes.
The 10,700-student RDCRS division includes schools in Olds and Innisfail.
