MEDIA RELEASE
Petition proponent donates over $9,000 to support parent voice in Alberta education
Calgary, AB – September 11, 2026 – The proponent behind the Alberta Funds Public Schools citizen initiative has chosen to donate its remaining funds to the Alberta School Councils’ Association (ASCA).
The funds were donated by Albertans who supported the effort and were used to help organize, promote and collect signatures for the initiative. With the petition now concluded, the $9,405.70 in remaining funds are being directed to ASCA in recognition of the important role parents play in Alberta’s education system.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated, signed the petition, volunteered and helped bring this issue forward,” said Alicia Taylor, proponent of the Alberta Funds Public Schools citizen initiative. “We wanted the remaining funds entrusted to us by Albertans to continue supporting education and meaningful public engagement.”
Parents are essential partners in education. They know their children, understand their communities and bring an important perspective to conversations about our schools. Supporting the parent voice is a meaningful way to carry the spirit of this initiative forward.
“We are sincerely grateful for this generous support of our mission to advocate for the parent voice in education,” said Meagan Parisian, President of Alberta School Councils’ Association. “Every contribution to ASCA is an investment in informed and engaged school communities. This donation will allow us to further support school councils, connect with more parents across the province, and continue our advocacy work on behalf of our member school councils.”
Parisian added that now, more than ever, is the time for school communities to come together and work towards our common goal – the success of all students in Alberta’s education system. Taylor agreed. “We are stronger when we work together, as partners in education. At the end of the day, we all want children to have the best possible opportunities to learn.”
Alberta Funds Public Schools is pleased that these remaining funds can support ASCA’s work strengthening parent engagement and encourage more parents to play an active role in their children’s education.
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For inquiries, please contact:
Alicia Taylor [email protected] Petition Proponent 403-815-1391
Meagan Parisian [email protected] President, Alberta School Councils’ Association 403-596-1446
About Alberta School Councils’ Association
Formed in 1929, the Alberta School Councils’ Association (ASCA) supports the engagement, empowerment, and advocacy of the parent voice in public education. With the vision of a respected and empowered school council in every Alberta school, ASCA represents approximately 1200 school councils and their members as part of the network of education partners and stakeholders within Alberta’s Education framework. Offering professional development opportunities and resources for school councils, school authorities, administrators, trustees and partner organizations, ASCA is the trusted voice of parent engagement in public education.
About Alberta Funds Public Schools Citizen Initiative Petition
Alberta Funds Public Schools was a citizen-led initiative petition which called on Albertans to consider whether the Government of Alberta should end its practice of allocating public funds to accredited independent private schools. Supported by more than 2,000 volunteer canvassers, the initiative collected 124,937 signatures and helped elevate a province-wide conversation about education funding and the importance of a strong, accessible and adequately resourced public education system for every Alberta student. Learn more at abfundspublicschools.ca.