2026 School Trustee Elections

In October 2026, communities across British Columbia will elect school trustees to their local boards of education.

School trustees are locally elected representatives who help shape public education in their communities. They provide governance and oversight for their school district by setting direction, establishing policies, overseeing budgets, and supporting student success. 

The next General Local Election for school trustees of the Board of Education of School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) will be held on October 17, 2026. School trustees are elected for a four-year term and elections occur at the same time as the municipal elections.     

Interested in learning more about becoming a school trustee? 

Explore this page to learn more about key election information and the role of a trustee.

Trustee Election Information Session Presentation

School Trustee Information Session Presentation (In-Person & Online) - June 4 & 9, 2026

Trustee Role & Responsibilities 

From the B.C. School Trustees Association (BCSTA):  

As locally elected representatives, trustees understand their respective communities’ particular strengths, challenges, and demands best. 

Trustees engage their communities in building and maintaining a school system that reflects local priorities, values, and strategic goals. School trustees listen to their communities, guide the work of their school district, hire the superintendent, and set plans, policies, and the annual budget. 

Reflecting the strength of local representation, trustees, as part of the school board, report back to their communities on how students are doing. 

The Role of a school trustee includes: 

  • Setting Strategic Direction  
  • Governing Finances Responsibly 
  • Hiring and Supporting Leadership 
  • Improving Student Achievement  
  • Championing Your Community  
  • Making Collective Decisions  

Learn more about trustee elections and the role of a trustee at bcsta.org.

About School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson)

Our Mission: Supporting learning opportunities and environments which inspire students to thrive.

Our Vision: Fostering educated and resilient citizens empowered to contribute to a diverse, inclusive, caring, and sustainable society.

Our Values: Connections/Relationships, Equity, Well-being, Sustainability

Students: SD73 provides public education to over 16,000 students, 20% of whom are of Indigenous Ancestry, in Kamloops and many rural communities, including Chase, Barriere, Logan Lake, Pinantan Lake, Sun Peaks, Heffley Creek, Westwold, Blue River, Vavenby, Savona and Clearwater.  

Geographic Area & Transportation: Our district covers more than 27,000 kilometres and buses about 4,300 students more than 9,300 kilometres every day.  

Schools: SD73 has 49 schools including 35 elementary schools, 10 secondary schools, one Kindergarten–Grade 12 school, two alternate education programs, and one distance education school (Kamloops Open Online Learning). In Fall 2026, SD73 will open the district's newest school in over two decades, Sníne Elementary.  

Staff: We employ 2,650 people and have an annual budget of $255.9 million. 

Kamloops-Thompson Key Policies

Explore the full Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education Policy Manual here.

Kamloops-Thompson Trustee Positions 

The Board of Education of School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) is comprised of 9 trustees representing the following areas: 

  • 5 trustees from Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Kamloops, being the City of Kamloops; and, 
  • 1 trustee for each of the following areas of the Thompson Nicola Regional District:
  • Trustee Electoral Area 2 – North Thompson, including areas “A” Wells Gray Country and “B” Thompson Headwaters, including the District of Clearwater 
  • Trustee Electoral Area 3 – Barriere/Little Fort, including area “O” Lower North Thompson, including the District of Barriere 
  • Trustee Electoral Area 4 – Chase, including areas “L” and “P” Rivers and the Peaks, including Sun Rivers, the Village of Chase and the Mountain Resort Municipality of Sun Peaks 
  • Trustee Electoral Area 5 – Logan Lake, including area “J” Copper Desert Country, including the District of Logan Lake 

A map of the Trustee Electoral Areas within School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) can be found here. 

Qualifications for Office

A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a school trustee if they meet the following criteria:

  • Canadian citizen 
  • 18 years of age or older on general voting day October 17, 2026 
  • Resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed 
  • Not disqualified under the School Act or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding office as a trustee, or be otherwise disqualified by law 
Key 2026 Elections Dates 2026
  • Election Period: January 1, 2026 – September 18, 2026  
  • Pre Campaign Period: July 20 – September 18, 2026  
  • Nomination Period (BC-wide): September 1, 2026 – September 11, 2026  
  • Declaration of Candidates: September 11, 2026  
  • Challenge of Nomination Deadline: September 15, 2026  
  • Candidate Withdrawal Deadline: September 18, 2026  
  • Candidate Endorsement Withdrawal Deadline: September 18, 2026  
  • Campaign Period: September 19, 2026 – October 17, 2026  
  • General Voting Day: October 17, 2026  
  • Disclosure Statement Filing Deadline: January 15, 2027  
  • Late filing deadline for disclosure statements (with $500 fee): February 16, 2027
Campaign Expense Limits

All candidates have expense limits that apply during the campaign period. Explore the 2026 Campaign Expense Limits here. 

  • City of Kamloops (Trustee Election Area 1): $41,905.39
  • North Thompson, including Clearwater (Trustee Election Area 2): $6,161.89
  • Barriere/Little Fort (Trustee Election Area 3): $6,161.89
  • Chase/Sun Rivers/Municipality of Sun Peaks (Trustee Election Area 4): $10,065.82
  • Logan Lake (Trustee Election Area 5): $6,161.89
For further information on campaign expense limits and third-party advertising limits, please contact Elections BC: 
Trustee Remuneration

As per Board Policy 7 – Board Operations:

13.1  In accordance with the provisions of the School Act, trustees shall receive remuneration paid on a monthly basis, the amount of which shall be set by Board resolution. Additional amounts, also set by Board resolution, shall be paid to the Chair and Vice-Chair respectively. 

13.2  Trustees shall receive a technology allowance, included in their remuneration in September, the amount of which shall be reviewed annually and set by Board resolution. 

As of the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the base remuneration rates are: 

  • Board Chair: $33,634 per year 
  • Vice-Chair: $30,429 per year 
  • Trustee: $28,503 per year 

As of the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the base technology allowance is $1,026 per year.  

Annually on July 1, the remuneration paid to trustees, the Chair, and Vice-Chair are adjusted based on increases or decreases to the BC Consumer Price Index.

Monthly Board and Committee Meeting Schedule 

Currently, the Kamloops-Thompsons Board of Education monthly meeting schedule of Standing Committees and Board Meetings is: 

  • 1st Monday of the month (5:30–7:30pm): Education Committee
  • 2nd Monday of the month (5:30–7:30pm): Operations Committee
  • 4th Monday of the month (5:30–9:00 pm): Board Meetings
    • In-Camera (Closed) meeting starts at 5:30 pm 
    • Public meeting starts at 7:00 pm

For reference, you can view the 2025-2026 schedule of Board and Standing Committee meetings here.

Trustees are also part of Contractual, Select, and External Committees that meet at various times throughout the school year. Read more about the Board’s current committee structure here.

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Important Links & Resources

SD73 Resources:  

If you would like further information on the election process, please contact:  

Kim Morris, Secretary-Treasurer 

Phone: 250-214-5209 

Email: Here