Joan Cowling was a member of the Edmonton Public School Board of Trustees from 1980 to 1992. Cowling helped establish the new French Immersion program through an active parent organization and was later elected as a trustee to the EPSB. She served on the board for 12 years, including three terms as chair, during a period of incredible growth and innovation.

Joan Cowling has worked extensively in the area of human resource management and development in both the public and private sectors. In 1991-1992, Ms. Cowling served as the President of the Canadian School Boards’ Association (CSBA). As President of CSBA, she was part of a committee that developed a model policy for multiculturalism and race relations for school boards throughout Canada. During her public tenure, Ms. Cowling has served in the following capacities: Provincial Executive, Alberta School Boards Association; Steering Committee Member, Economic Development Study, City of Edmonton; Board of Directors, Alberta Association for Multicultural and Intercultural Education; Board of Directors, Alberta School Employees’ Benefit Plan; Board of Directors, Edmonton Space Science Centre; Names Advisory Committee, City of Edmonton; and, Chairman, Museum/Archives Restoration Committee, McKay Avenue School. Ms. Cowling continues to be an active member and facilitator of various civic, provincial and national committees and task forces dealing with intergovernmental relations, multicultural and race relations, collective bargaining and contract interpretations, organizational analysis and strategic planning.

Cowling now serves as Vice-President of the Friends of 1881 Schoolhouse and Historic McKay Avenue School Society.

Jim Wiebe was a member of the Edmonton Public School Board Trustees from 1980 to 1983.

Dr. John Andrews was a member of the Board of Trustees for 1961-1962.

Matthew McCauley was the first mayor of the town of Edmonton. In 1881, he established a livery stable and butcher shop. McCauley also helped to organize Edmonton's first public school in 1881 and was a founding member (served for 18 years) of Edmonton's school board. When Edmonton was incorporated as a town in 1892, McCauley became mayor by acclamation and was re-elected in 1893 and 1894. In 1905, the year that Alberta became a province, he was elected to the first Provincial Legislature. McCauley resigned after a year to become the warden of Edmonton's first federal prison, working there from 1906 to 1911.

Ray A. Jones was the Board Secretary for the Edmonton Public School Board of Trustees from 1979 to 1990.