Education

School Councils

Your Voice in the Yukon’s Education System

School councils provide a rewarding opportunity for Yukon people to get involved in the education of their children.

They are a voice for parents and community members.
They work with students, teachers, administrators and the Department of Education to provide high-quality education.
They can have an impact on issues that go beyond their school.
Along with teachers and administrators, school councils are a key source of information and support for parents who have questions about their children’s education.

All Yukon schools operated by the Department of Education have an elected school council made up of three to seven members. School councils reflect the value the Yukon government places on the participation of parents and the public in the operation of the territory’s schools.

What School Councils Can Do

School councils can influence everything from school programming to discipline policies. They help with problem-solving and decision-making. They review and approve school plans, which are the blueprints for the school’s activities and priorities. They participate in the hiring of the school’s principal. They make recommendations on how the school’s budget is spent. They may propose locally developed courses. They may also advise on the length of the school year, on staffing needs, on school renovations, on school programming, and on student transportation.

Who Can Be A Member of a School Council

You are eligible to become a school council member if you are a Canadian citizen, you are at least 18 years of age, and you have either lived in the school’s attendance area for at least three months, or you are the parent of a child who attends the school. You can not serve on a school council if you are an employee of or work in the school.

School councillors are elected to two-year terms. They are elected by the parents of the school’s students, and by those living in the school’s attendance area.

How To Become A Member

If you wish to run in a school council election, you need to obtain nomination signatures from at least three people who are qualified to vote in the school council election. You can find out more by calling the Elections Office at (867) 667-8683. Long distance calls to 1-866-668-8683 are toll-free Canada wide. The e-mail address is elections.yukon@gov.yk.ca.

Guaranteed Representation

The Yukon Education Act provides for guaranteed representation of First Nations on school councils. These representatives play an important role. They bring to the school council their cultural perspectives and their ideas. To find out more about these positions, contact the office of your local First Nation.

Departmental Support for School Councils

School Council Liaison

The Department of Education has designated an official as School Council Liaison. This person provides support and answers questions about issues, procedures and resources. School administrators and superintendents also provide valuable help.

Funding

The Department of Education funds the operation of all school councils. School council members can receive honoraria for attending regular meetings.

Conferences and Professional Development

The Department of Education offers a variety of opportunities to school council members.These include conferences, workshops, training and resource materials.

How To Reach Your Local School Council

School offices can give you contact information for school councils.

Associations

The Education Act allows School Boards and Councils to form and become members of an association of School Boards and Councils. In response to this authority the Association of Yukon School Councils, Boards and Committees (AYSCBC) and Catholic Education Association of Yukon(CEAY) were formed.

Contact - Lori Choquette

School Council Liaison
Yukon Education
Government of Yukon
Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon
Canada Y1A 2C6

Phone: (867) 667-8226
Toll free (In Yukon): 1-800-661-0408, local 8226
Fax: (867) 393-6339
or
Lori.choquette@gov.yk.ca