From left to right: Rural Caucus of Alberta School Boards vice-chair Scott MacPherson, Alberta School Boards Association president Marilyn Dennis, chair Brad Toone, Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsea Petrovic, and Dr. Abboud, CEO of the Alberta School Boards Association.
The issues facing rural schools in Alberta have a strong advocate, and two of its leaders have close ties to the area.
The Rural Caucus of Alberta School Boards is chaired by Livingstone Range School Division trustee Brad Toone and vice-chair Scott McPherson is from Claresholm.
The Rural Caucus of Alberta School Boards is a collective voice representing more than 40 rural school boards across Alberta.
Its primary purpose is to advocate to the provincial government and minister of education on unique issues affecting rural schools and their communities.
This collaborative effort ensures that the specific challenges and needs of students outside of major metropolitan areas are heard and addressed at a policy and funding level.
The organization’s journey began in 2016 when 20 rural school divisions first came together.
They were initially motivated by shared concerns over transportation issues, which remain a significant focus.
Since then, the caucus has broadened its scope to tackle complex issues like new curriculum implementation, equitable funding formulas, and student mental health and wellness resources.
Toone was elected chair in the fall of 2023 after serving as vice-chair for two years.
MacPherson, who grew up in Claresholm and whose family still resides there, is a trustee in the Prairie Land Public School Division representing the Hanna-Youngstown area.
Both Toone and MacPherson are farmers who bring a grassroots and community-building focus to their roles.
Their leadership ensures that the unique perspective of Alberta’s rural communities is central to the Rural Caucus of Alberta School Boards’ mandate and advocacy efforts.
To ensure these local concerns reach the highest levels of government, the caucus has been proactive in hosting meetings with the education minister and other key ministries, Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsea Petrovic, and Premier Danielle Smith, bringing the needs of rural education directly to the province’s decision makers.
Advocacy is arguably the most important work for groups like the Rural Caucus of Alberta School Boards, particularly in the context of rural education.
Rural schools often face distinct obstacles that are less prevalent in urban settings, and without a united voice, these issues can be overlooked in provincial planning.
Key areas where advocacy is vital include:
• Transportation
Rural divisions cover vast distances, leading to complex and expensive bussing logistics. Advocacy helps secure necessary funding to manage these costs.
• Equitable funding
Small, rural schools may require a higher grant per student than larger urban schools to cover fixed operational costs (heating, insurance, staffing) and offer a diverse range of programming.
Advocacy works to ensure that “equity does not equal equality,” pushing for funding models that recognize rural complexity.
• Access to resources
Rural students often have limited access to specialized external services like mental health support, specialists, and diverse career and technology options.
The Rural Caucus of Alberta School Boards advocates for resources that give rural students the same opportunities as their urban counterparts.
By providing a unified and informed voice, the Rural Caucus of Alberta School Boards is actively working to ensure the sustainability and quality of education for every rural child in the province.
