The new educational governance structure came into effect January 1995. The school boards associations launched and were successful in a court challenge of the legislation. The government has appealed but this has not yet been heard. The governance reform has removed public board access to the property tax base although provision is made for referendum approved special levies. Minority faith separate school boards continue to have access to the property tax base but only up to the amount that would be collected by the province.
Collective bargaining is undertaken locally.
School councils have been established under the amended legislation to provide for parent involvement in site-based management decisions. The province has also provided for Charter Schools to foster innovation and choice. These schools are approved by the Minister and must be accessible to all students, can not charge fees, and must adhere to the public schools legislation. Although initiated by the strongly opposed 1991 School Finance and Governance Review, the 1993 Saskatchewan School Trustees Association Task Force on Educational Governance recommended the number of school divisions be reduced and that school level governance structures be established with a minimum core of responsibilities. Duties of district boards are prescribed by the legislation although most responsibilities are delegated by school division board of education policy.