Alberta School Boards Association disagrees with removing education from property taxes
Release date: February 24, 1999
The Alberta School Boards Association responded with a resounding "no way" to a government-appointed committee's proposal to remove education from property taxes.
The school boards association has adopted a policy that calls for education to continue to be funded in part through property taxes, said ASBA President Lois Byers.
"The education portion of local property taxes keeps the public in public education," said Byers. "Through local taxes Albertans know they have the right and the opportunity, through their locally-elected school board, to shape the education system to meet their community's needs. This link and the accountability that accompanies it are fundamental to public education in this province," said Byers.
The committee's property tax proposal also faces practical hurdles, added Byers. "Education is a $3.1 billion enterprise that requires a stable source of funding. Also, Alberta's separate school boards have a constitutional right, as defined in the Alberta Act of 1905, to assess the property of their ratepayers."
"When money got tighter, the notion of removing education from the local property tax bill surfaced. We recognize that municipalities are facing financial pressures, but we believe we should work together to solve this issue as we serve the same constituents," said Byers.
For more information contact: Lois Byers, ASBA President at 1.403.482.7311 (office).
The Alberta School Boards Association serves and represents all Alberta’s public, separate and francophone school boards.
