Edmonton Public Schools to consider changing number of wards and trustees in next civic election

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal News Edmonton Public Schools to consider changing number of wards and trustees in next civic election Trustees heard that moving to seven trustees could save money on administrative costs after the province made a five per cent reduction to the division's system administration grant. Author of the article: By Liam Newbigging Published Sep 15, 2026 3 minute read Join the conversation Ward F Trustee Julie Kusiek introduced the motion Tuesday, which would ask division planners to come up with options around a new ward boundary map. PHOTO BY DAVID BLOOM /Postmedia, file Article content Edmonton Public Schools is looking into whether it should change the number of wards in its electoral map, along with the associated board trustee seats, ahead of the next civic election in 2029. Article content Ward F Trustee Julie Kusiek introduced the motion Tuesday, which would ask division planners to come up with options around a new ward boundary map. Article content Article content One option would keep the status quo, with nine wards and nine trustees, while the other would cut both down to seven. Article content Article content The topic spawned a lengthy list of questions among trustees, who voted 7-2 to shelve the item until the October board meeting. Article content Headline News Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content “This doesn’t commit us to nine or seven. What it does is give administration permission and direction to come back with a report with next steps,” Kusiek said. Article content Trustees heard that moving to seven trustees could save money on administrative costs after the province made a five per cent reduction to the division’s system administration grant. Costs for the board, including its elections, are pulled from the grant, which is a targeted, capped fund. Article content When asked, superintendent Ron Thompson said the division typically runs a surplus in that part of the budget, and the cap isn’t a significant concern. Article content Article content The province has said the reason for the grant’s reduction was to get divisions to find efficiencies and reduce red tape so more funds can go to classroom supports. Article…