School Advisory Councils

School Advisory Councils (SACs) play an important role in supporting student success at the community-level.

On this page:

School Advisory Council (SAC) Fall Conference

SAC Innovation Fund

Background

Legislative Authority

Resources

School Advisory Council (SAC) Fall Conference

Addressing our collective responsibility in promoting student achievement and well-being for every student, every day.

Friday, September 27, 2024
Halifax Convention Centre, 5th Floor Ballroom Level
1650 Argyle Street Halifax, Nova Scotia

Common Questions and Answers
Click the link for information about registration, logistics, travel and accommodation!

Registration is now open for SAC Chairs and Principals (or their delegates)!

Please note, we can only accommodate 2 attendees per SAC.
Please use the appropriate form below to register your attendance at the SAC fall conference.

Please register before June 28, 2024

SAC Innovation Fund

The SAC Innovation Fund provides grants up to $10,000 to SACs to support innovative ideas to support student achievement and well-being and address real problems experienced by students and schools.

This funding is intended to provide an opportunity to test an idea, which if shown to be successful, could be expanded to other schools.

Applications for 2024-25 now open!

SAC Chairs should check their GNSPES email for more information on how to submit their applications.

If there are any questions please contact the Regional SAC representative. If unsure of who the Regional SAC representative is please contact your school principal.

Application deadline: April 18, 2024

Application Guidelines
Application Form (updated 28 March 2024)
Step by Step Guide to Applying to the SAC innovation Fund

Background

SACs are volunteer organizations that receive their authority from the Education Act (2018). The establishment of SACs and their roles and responsibilities are set out in the Education Act and the Ministerial Education Act Regulations.

Engagement on how to enhance local voice in the public education system resulted in additional actions that strengthen the role of SACs. Please visit Strengthening Local Voices in Education to learn more.

SACs are advisory bodies to individual school principals, regional centres for education (RCEs), and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) on a range of issues related to their local schools and the overall school system.
SAC membership can vary, but generally consists of the school principal, parents/guardians, teachers, other school staff, students, and community members. SAC membership should reflect the diversity of the school community.
In 2018, focus groups were conducted with SAC chairs and principals about enhancing the role of SACs. As a result, SACs now have a stronger voice in regional and provincial policy development, more professional development and networking opportunities, and a budget that supports the SACs mandate and operations.

Parents/guardians and community members who want to get involved in their school’s SAC can contact the school principal. Each RCE and the CSAP have a staff person who is responsible for supporting SACs.