Natalie Joly
St. Albert Public School Trustee
I am serving as school board trustee because public education is one of the most important investments we make in our children, in our communities, and in our collective future.As a parent of St. Albert Public students, I’ve seen firsthand the difference that great teachers and strong schools make. I’m deeply grateful to the educators and support staff who have helped my own kids grow and thrive. I’ve also seen the pressure our schools are under, from rising classroom complexity to funding that hasn’t kept pace with growth. Trustees have a vital role to play in advocating for the resources, relationships, and vision our students, their families, and our staff deserve.St. Albert Public has thrived under strong leadership and a board that has guided the district through significant growth and change. I’m excited about building on that foundation, supporting the next chapter.
About
I am a parent, nonprofit leader, community advocate, and two-term City Councillor who’s passionate about building a future where every generation is supported, connected, and able to thrive.I currently serve as Executive Director of ElderCare Edmonton, where I lead a team that supports older adults and their caregivers. I spend a lot of my time focused on strategy, planning, partnerships, and making limited resources stretch further than they probably should.Through my two terms on City Council, some of my favourite moments have been serving on St. Albert's Youth Advisory Committee and visiting many classrooms to talk about government. It’s been an honour to serve, and I’m ready to continue contributing in a new way, one that stays close to my values and keeps me rooted in the community where I grew up and where my family makes our home now.I’ve also been volunteering in St. Albert since I was a teenager. I'm currently a board member with the Alberta Hospice & Palliative Care Association, and was previously offering remembrance photography to families grieving the loss of a baby with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. I believe in showing up, doing the work, and being part of systems that make people’s lives better.The challenges facing public education are real, but so are the opportunities. I’m running for school board trustee because I want to help protect what’s working, fix what’s not, and keep building a system that reflects the best of who we are.
Priorities
Addressing Classroom Complexity and Funding Gaps
Teachers and support staff are doing incredible work under increasingly difficult conditions. Alberta now ranks last in Canada in per-student education funding. At the same time, classroom complexity has grown dramatically, with more diverse learning needs, behavioral challenges, and fewer resources. Educational Assistants are essential to inclusive education and student success, but Alberta's low per-capita funding means our EA's are stretched thin. I’ll advocate for sustainable funding, increased EA support, and a provincial approach that reflects the realities of today’s classrooms.I also support the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s work to raise awareness and call for action across the province, including their efforts to improve inclusive education, advance equity and human rights, and address complexity in Alberta classrooms. Trustees have a role to play in amplifying this advocacy and ensuring our district is part of the conversation for system-wide change.Planning for Growth with Limited Resources
St. Albert Public Schools has grown significantly in the last decade, and that growth is continuing. But the land and funding we rely on to build new schools haven’t kept pace. The City’s supply of land for schools has shrunk dramatically since the last major wave of student growth. We need creative, forward-looking solutions: planning for long-term sites now, exploring shared-use models, and working closely with municipalities and the province to ensure families in new neighbourhoods don’t face years-long waits for a nearby school.Safe and Inclusive Schools:
Every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and like they belong. Natalie will advocate for schools that are inclusive by design, supporting the existing priorities of the board. She also believes mental health is a critical part of school safety. That means better access to school-based supports, trauma-informed practices, and policies that reflect the realities students and staff face every day. Building safe schools is about creating the conditions where everyone can thrive.Preparing for the Future
Our world is evolving quickly, shaped by AI, automation, and innovation. We owe it to students to prepare them for the world as it is, and also for the world that’s coming. I’ll support programs that build creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving, and I’ll advocate for partnerships with post-secondary institutions, local businesses, and innovation hubs to connect students to real-world opportunities.Strong Relationships for Strong Schools
Public education works best when we work together. I’ll bring experience in relationship-building with the City of St. Albert, with other school boards, and with community partners, to strengthen the systems that surround our schools. As our district grows, strong partnerships will be key to ensuring school sites are ready, planning is coordinated, and families have the services they need.
Donations & Signs
Plastic lawn signs are a reality for many politicians trying to spread the word. We'll have at least a couple on our front lawn this fall! But I’m ready to try something different.After two successful campaigns using signs and one without(!), I know that signs often end up in landfills… or stuck in St. Albert’s beautiful green spaces. We’re a long way from eliminating plastic signs, but I want to start trying. That means relying on your conversations - at your dinner table, in your workplace, or on social media - instead of cluttering boulevards with my face. (I still have some left to use as art mats, though!)In past elections, I’ve kept my campaign spending low as the second-lowest spender of all elected council candidates in 2017 and the lowest in 2021. Back in 2017, Council candidates spent nearly $140,000 running for office. In 2021, campaigns still totaled over $84,000. I worry about the impact campaign costs have on who can afford to run. We’re best served by councils and school boards that reflect a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and that means reducing the barriers - financial or otherwise - to putting your name forward.So instead of accepting campaign donations, I’m encouraging folks to support local organizations that help St. Albert families. Here are a handful that are doing great work:
-St. Albert Food Bank and Community Village
-SAiF (Stop Abuse in Families)
-St. Albert Family Resource Centre
-Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Albert
-Friends of the St. Albert LibraryChoosing not to fundraise or put up signs is a privilege. I have a strong network that I hope can help spread the word in other ways. I also believe that the money spent on local election campaigns could make a far greater impact when directed to nonprofits that are doing life-changing work right here in our community.Thanks for helping me try something a little different and for supporting the people and organizations that make this community strong.
Contact
Please let me know your priorities for St. Albert Public schools or if you'd like me to send updates!
I can also be reached at [email protected]