Brit Hart For Calgary Public School Board Trustee Wards 1 & 2
Priorities & Commitments
Priorities: Increased funding for Calgary Public Schools, Transparency & Open Communication and Community Engagement.
Elect Brit Hart For Calgary Public School Board Trustee! This moment in time is critical as we look to building and protecting our public services and we need strong voices like hers to advocate for every student within our public school system.
Schools function as so much more than just a place to learn to read and write, they provide safe spaces for our youth, an opportunity to develop social skills and open doors to new experiences, cultures and ideas. Protecting these institutions and the teachers and administrators within them is a key component to ensuring the success of our students and our communities.
A recent report from Stats Canada shows that Alberta per-student funding is the lowest in Canada – nearly $1600 below the national average. Despite this, The Calgary Board Of Education is one of the strongest public education systems in Canada and ranks among the highest in the world. An incredible feat considering the resources currently being provided to public education. I can only imagine our potential if we push our government to prioritize funding for every student accessing public education!
As your Public School Board Trustee my focus will be ensuring all questions and concerns regarding public school in Calgary are communicated to the Calgary Board of Education and/or Alberta Government while providing clear and tangible outcomes.
There is an opportunity to improve board communication with the public and ensure that we are effectively engaging with our communities and supporting our students. It is my desire to clarify any existing ideologies and bureaucratic rhetoric and ensure that everyone accessing public education in Wards 1 & 2 has a clear understanding of the policies in place and also has the opportunity to have their voice heard.
Commitments: Advocacy, Transparency, Engagement, Communication, Collaboration and Accountability
- Advocate for policies that put the wellbeing of students first
- Engage in transparent and open dialog with students, parents, school councils and all other members of the community
- Communicate with government and ensure the needs of the CBE are met and fully understood
- Approach the role of Trustee with curiosity and openness by asking questions and engaging with various groups and individuals to better understand the complexity of our public education system
- Collaborate with fellow Trustees, Alberta Education and community stakeholders to protect and build our public education system
- Fulfill my duties as a CBE Trustee and set expectations through policy for the desired results of students and later evaluate achievement of those results
About Brit
Education Advocate, Community Builder, Mother, Entrepreneur
Brit was raised in the Northwest of Calgary and is a writer and communications consultant, primarily working in the wine and hospitality industry. Her experience running her own business and managing operations for some of the country’s largest hospitality groups provides her with an excellent foundation for creating and implementing policies and procedures.
She sees incredible value in community building, fostering relationships and making meaningful connections and values transparency in all interactions. Community service is a core value that Brit’s family instilled in her at a young age. The impact her grandfather, Stu Hart, had on the City of Calgary is immense and these values of inclusivity and collaboration have been passed down to many members of the Hart family.
From the age of 15 Brit has been an active volunteer in her community. Over the last 25 years she has offered her time to Calgary Quest School, Trellis Society (formerly The Boys and Girls Club of Canada), The Bowness Food Network and Calgary Reads as a one-to-one volunteer. She has sat on the board for Music Mile, the Bowness Community Association & Soup Sisters and has helped raise funds for The Alex and other non-profits throughout the city. She currently sits on the parent board at her son’s school and is an active volunteer in her community in varying capacities.
FAQ's
What does a Calgary Public School Board Trustee do?
A Calgary Public School Board Trustee‘s job is to represent, lead and serve Calgarians and to govern the Calgary Board of Education, one of the largest school boards in Canada.
Citizens of Calgary elect trustees through the municipal election every four years. It is their responsibility to set and provide overall direction to the CBE through Governance Culture Policies, Results Policies and Operational Expectations. They establish these expectations and then monitor actual performance against those expectations.
They are also responsible for hiring the Chief Superintendent and delegate responsibilities for day-to-day operational decisions to them.
Why are you running for School Board Trustee?
I believe that everyone deserves access to a robust, comprehensive and inclusive education. The best way to achieve this is by listening to our teachers and administrators, ensuring they have safe and well maintained buildings to work from as well as educational supports so that they can focus on the important task of guiding each and every student that walks through their classroom.
As a Trustee I will advocate for more investment from our provincial government into public education to support teachers, more EA’s and in class supports, improved school facilities and smaller classes. I will advocate for the students in my community and throughout the CBE and take on an active role in communicating their concerns while advocating for measured and meaningful change.
What do you want to change?
My hope in being elected as Public School Board Trustee is to provide more transparency for those accessing the public school system. I believe that by engaging with students, parents and school councils and providing clear and effective resources they can access, we can achieve this. I also hope to provide more transparency on how education is funded in Alberta and encourage a dialogue with our provincial government on increasing the resources allocated towards our public education system.
What makes you qualified to represent Ward 1 & 2 as School Board Trustee?
Since the age of 15 I have been volunteering within our public education system. I grew up in a family of educators and have donated my time to Calgary Reads one-to-one volunteer program, Trellis Society (formerly Boys and Girls Club of Canada) with their school breakfast program, Bowness Food Network dispersing food to students and families during Covid and most recently, sitting on the parents board at Bowcroft School in Bowness where I have lead initiatives to beautify the exterior and organize enhanced learning initiatives. I have also volunteered my time with a number of organizations focused on high needs individuals including Calgary Quest School and Options Day Program and understand the challenges and opportunities educators and support workers face in these environments.
I have a working understating of the maintenance and administration of the facilities within the CBE through my various interactions at Bowcroft, including beautification of the exterior of the school and advocating for upgrades to the facility. I have also had the opportunity to meet with our Area One Director and the Superintendent of Facilities and Environmental Services to better understand the challenges the CBE faces in funding capital projects.
My volunteer work has also provided me with a wealth of experience sitting on various boards, offering strategic oversight and implementing good governance policies. Over the years I have sat on the board for Soup Sisters, Music Mile, The Bowness Community Association and am currently a member of the parent board at Bowcroft School.
Can I donate to your campaign?
Absolutely! We appreciate your support and if you are in a position to donate, you can transfer funds to info@britfortrustee.ca.
Please include your full name and address in the e-transfer message box to comply with campaign finance regulations. Receipts will be issued for all contributions.
As we get closer to election day in October we’ll also have lawn signs available. Get yours by clicking here.
Will you be hosting in person Q & A sessions?
Yes! Make sure to check out our events calendar or follow us on social media for upcoming community events and info sessions. If you have any questions or inquiries you can always email us at info@britfortrustee.ca and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Request A Lawn Sign
Testimonials
Get Involved
Donate to Brit’s campaign or join us at an event!
We’ll be popping up in the communities within Wards 1 & 2 so make sure to check our Events Calendar for details.
You can also donate to our campaign and help us in engaging with our community and constituents. Campaign contributions are not tax-deductible, however, every donation is greatly appreciated.
How To Donate To Brit’s Campaign
Donations can be made via e-transfer to:
info@britfortrustee.ca
Important: Please include your full name and address in the e-transfer message box to comply with campaign finance regulations.
Receipts will be issued for all contributions.
For more details on campaign finance rules, visit the Elections Calgary website.
Lawn Signs and Merch!
Campaign Merch and Lawn Signs will be available closer to the election date in October. If you’re interested in a sign click here and get your name on the list!
As we get closer to the election, we’ll have lawn signs and merch available! All proceeds from each purchase will go directly back to our campaign.
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Add yourself to our newsletter to stay up to date on the campaign and ways you can get involved.
Working Together
Every four years during the City of Calgary’s municipal election seven CBE School Trustees are elected (one Trustee per two Wards). The Board’s job is to represent, lead and serve Calgarians and to govern the CBE. Trustees do not solely represent their wards but rather work together in the best interests of the entire organization.
THE SUPERINTENDENT
The Board of Trustees has one employee, the Chief Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent is responsible for meeting the expectations set forth by the Board.
STAKEHOLDERS
Trustees also work with key stakeholders and advocate the needs of the system with elected officials (MLAs and City Councillors). They communicate with students, employees, parents and citizens to engage all stakeholders in the work of the Board and the organization.
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CBE Land Acknowledgement
The Calgary Board of Education acknowledges the traditional territories and oral practices of the Treaty 7 Nations, including the Siksikaitsitapi, comprised of the Siksika, the Kainai, the Piikani, and the Amskapi Piikani Nations. We acknowledge the Tsuut’ina Nation, the Îyârhe Nakoda, comprised of the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney Nations, the Métis Nation within Alberta, and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of southern Alberta.
This land on which we gather is traditionally known as Moh’kinstsis (Blackfoot), Guts’ists’i (Tsuut’ina), Wîchîspa (Nakoda), and otôskwanihk (Northern Michif & Cree).
As a learning organization, we are committed to advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action focused on Education for ReconciliACTION.