School Trustee elections will take place across BC in the fall of 2022. This opportunity is only available once every four years. Trustees have a meaningful voice in the public education system that can make a difference for First Nations students and improve the educational success of all learners.
Send in your nomination papers by September 9, 2022. Find nomination papers.
This information is available as a brochure for printing and sharing.
Calendar
Jan. 1 – Sept. 16, 2022
Election period begins. Fill out your nomination papers, obtain eligible signatures, and submit your nomination papers to the local chief election officer.
Sept. 9, 2022
Deadline for filing your nomination papers and forms naming your financial agent with the local chief election officer.
Oct. 15, 2022
Voting Day across BC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Trustee do?
Trustees participate in important decisions on issues that directly impact student learning. Examples include budget approval, school and district planning, transportation, and educational programming.
Who is eligible to run for Trustee?
To be eligible to run for Trustee you must:
- be 18 years of age or older on general voting day;
- be a Canadian citizen; and
- be a BC resident for at least 6 months before filing nomination documents.
Who is not eligible to run for Trustee?
Those ineligible to run for Trustee include:
- those who have broken specific laws while running for office and/or holding office;
- judges in the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, or Provincial Court; and
- municipal government employees.
Do I need to be a parent?
No. Public education is everyone’s responsibility and a quality public education system is beneficial for all.
Is it competitive?
In a few districts, Trustee elections are very competitive. In other districts, where there are fewer candidates, some candidates are elected by acclamation (no one else runs, so the candidate is automatically elected). Encourage your friends and family to come out and vote. If you decide to run a campaign, consult BC’s General Local Election website for campaign rules.
What is a Financial Agent?
A Financial Agent is someone who will vouch for your campaign spending, even if you did not spend any money. Many candidates ask a friend or family member to volunteer to be their Financial Agent. If you are planning on spending money and receiving donations, open a bank account that will only be used for your campaign.
Are there supports?
School districts often offer orientation to help new Trustees learn their roles. The BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA) offers ongoing support including an annual Trustee Academy and professional development workshops during the BCSTA Annual General Meeting.
Is there compensation?
Yes, School Trustees receive a stipend that is determined by each local board of education. In the 2020/21 school year, the annual stipend received by individual BC School Trustees ranged from $2,850 to $54,013, with an average stipend of approximately $18,050.
For More Information
BC School Trustees Association
Important Note
Please note that this resource is not legal advice. For official information regarding local government election laws and policies please see the BC Local Government Act, the BC Community Charter, the General Local Elections section of the Government of BC website, the ElectionsBC website and the Elections section of your local school district’s website. FNESC does not endorse or financially support specific candidates, parties, or platforms.