700: Superintendent of Schools
1.0 POLICY
THE ROLE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
The Superintendent of Schools, as referred to in the Education Act, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Trustees and Chief Education Officer of the Division. The Superintendent directly reports to the Board of Trustees and is accountable to the Board of Trustees on behalf of students and the public, for the total operation of the school system in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of the Education Act, Alberta Education regulations, the Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard, Board policies, Division vision, mission and values, and the Education Plan goals. All Board authority delegated to the staff of the Division is delegated through the Superintendent. The Superintendent of Schools is the Board's sole point of connection to the operational organization. The Board will direct the operational organization only through the Superintendent of Schools, functioning as the Chief Executive Officer.
The Superintendent of Schools provides the Board with information, advice, and support required for the fulfillment of its governance role. The Superintendent plays a critical and collaborative role in supporting the leadership of the Board by advising, informing, and supporting the Board to address current and emerging issues. Specific Areas of Responsibility:
Alberta has three (3) professional practice standards that are Ministerial Orders, the Teaching Quality Standard (TQS), the Leadership Quality Standard (LQS), and the Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard (SLQS). The Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard (SLQS) defines the professional expectations that superintendents must demonstrate to create the conditions under which school leaders and teachers can do their best work. The SLQS identifies seven (7) competencies superintendents must demonstrate in their professional practice:
- Building Effective Relationships
- Modeling Commitment to Professional Learning
- Visionary Leadership
- Leading Learning
- Ensuring first nations, Métis, and Inuit Education for all Students
- School Division Operations and Resources
- Supporting Effective Governance
1.0 Building Effective Relationships
1.1 The Superintendent establishes a welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environment by building positive and productive relationships with members of the school community and the local community that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging.
2.0 Modelling Commitment to Professional Learning
2.1 The Superintendent engages in career-long professional learning and ongoing critical reflection, identifying and acting on research-informed opportunities for enhancing leadership, teaching, and learning.
3.0 Visionary Leadership
3.1 The Superintendent engages with the school community in implementing a vision of a preferred future for student success, based on common values and beliefs.
4.0 Leading Learning
4.1 The Superintendent establishes and sustains a learning culture in the school community that promotes ongoing critical reflection on practice, shared responsibility for student success, and continuous improvement.
5.0 Ensuring First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Education for All Students
5.1 The Superintendent establishes the structures and provides the resources necessary for the school community to acquire and apply foundational knowledge about First Nations, Métis, and Inuit for the benefit of students.
6.0 School Division Operations and Resources
6.1 The Superintendent directs school division operations and strategically allocates resources in the interests of all students and in alignment with the school division’s goals and priorities.
7.0 Supporting Effective Governance
7.1 The Superintendent of Schools as referred to in the Education Act, as chief executive officer of the board and the chief education officer of the school division, provides the board with information, advice, and support required for the fulfillment of its governance role, and reports to the Minister on all matters required of the superintendent as identified in the Education Act and other provincial legislation.
References:
Board Policy 105: Vision, Mission and Values
Board Policy 225: Role of the Board
Three Year Education Plan
Education Act: Section 8, 11(1) 52-53, 222, 223, 224
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Superintendent of Schools Regulation 98/2019
Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard
Appendix A - Evaluation of the Superintendent of Schools
History
2019 Apr 24 Initial Approval
2021 Oct 27 Reviewed
2022 Mar 23 Amended
2022 Sep 28 Amended
2024 Nov 27 Amended
Board Policies VII. Personnel and Employee Relations