Most of the direct administrative duties are assumed by the province and principals. A Denominational Educational Council was proposed to advise on religious instruction. The original proposal has been modified to provide for the election of denominational representatives on the new boards. A provincial referendum on the issue of denominational schools narrowly supported the changes. An amendment to the act of union between Canada and Newfoundland-Labrador is now before Parliament but may be withdrawn as an agreement has been reached with the churches that would see the number of boards reduced to 10 but the majority of the elected trustees representative of the religions.
Education is funded provincially and collective bargaining is undertaken by the province.
The general trend in the north is to enhance local control rather than to diminish it. There are eight regional boards and a public and separate board in Yellowknife. Trustees are locally elected to serve the 15,000 students in the north. The division of the territories may have an impact on local governance. The school boards have no taxation authority and all funding is provided centrally.