The Edmonton Public Schools system, in the Canadian province of Alberta, is an exception. Grounded in the belief that student achievement should be at the center of all decisions, the Edmonton district has put its money where its mouth is. Using a system that has been refined continually over the past 17 years, the district weights allocations based on student needs, with an emphasis on getting more money to schools that need it most. Budget decisions are made closest to where teaching and learning take place. Schools select and purchase the instructional, leadership, technical, facility-related, and other services they need.
Schools receive their budget in a single lump sum.
In addition to services, they decide the number of staff to hire and the amount of money to spend for supplies, equipment, and utilities required to provide the best possible program for all students. An entrepreneurial central office competes with vendors and other outside agencies to provide services such as professional development to schools. Schools can choose not to purchase services from the central office either because they prefer an outside vendor or because they find the service unnecessary. A labor dispute in 1991 between teachers and the school board resulted in a teachers' contract that mandated that school site decisions be made by teams of people working at individual schools. The school board and superintendent retain control over district goals and maintain academic and achievement standards.