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.

Explore this page to learn more about key election information and the 2026 School Board Trustee candidates.

Election Notices

2026 School Board Trustee Candidates

A list of candidates for Trustee Electoral Area 1 - City of Kamloops is available at kamloops.ca/election. Below are the candidates for Areas 2-5:

Name on Ballot	Mailing Address	School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) Electoral Area
Lee Onslow	Box 161 838 Main Street Blue River, BC V0E 1J0	Area 2 – North Thompson, being Electoral Areas A and B of Thompson-Nicola Regional District as defined in the British Columbia Gazette dated December 6, 1984 (including the communities of Clearwater, Blue River, Vavenby, and Avola)
Shelley Sim	336 Schmidt Road Clearwater, BC V0E 1N2	Area 2 – North Thompson, being Electoral Areas A and B of Thompson-Nicola Regional District as defined in the British Columbia Gazette dated December 6, 1984 (including the communities of Clearwater, Blue River, Vavenby, and Avola)
Bronwen Bird	261 Oriole Way Barriere, BC V0E 1E0	Area 3 – Barriere-Little Fort, being Electoral Area O of Thompson-Nicola Regional District as defined in the British Columbia Gazette dated December 6, 1984 (including the communities of Barriere, Little Fort, Louis Creek, Chu Chua, and Darfield)
Diane Jules	Box 342 Chase, BC V0E 1M0	Area 4 – Chase, being Electoral Areas L and P of Thompson-Nicola Regional District as defined in the British Columbia Gazette dated December 6, 1984 (including the communities of Sun Rivers, Heffley Creek, Rayleigh, Chase and Sun Peaks)
Cara McKelvey	6507 Buie Street Savona, BC V0K 2J0	Area 5 – Logan Lake, being Electoral Area J of Thompson-Nicola Regional District as defined in the British Columbia Gazette dated February 7, 1991 (including the communities of Savona, Lac Le Jeune, Tobiano, Cherry Creek, Paska Lake, and the District of Logan Lake)
Marie McGivern	8 Jade Court Logan Lake, BC V0K 1W0	Area 5 – Logan Lake, being Electoral Area J of Thompson-Nicola Regional District as defined in the British Columbia Gazette dated February 7, 1991 (including the communities of Savona, Lac Le Jeune, Tobiano, Cherry Creek, Paska Lake, and the District of Logan Lake)

Voting Information

VOTING OPPORTUNITIES

Area 1 – Kamloops

The City of Kamloops is administering the election for trustees to be elected in Area 1 – Kamloops.

More information on mail, advance, and general voting opportunities for Area 1 can be located on the City of Kamloops municipal election information page. If you have questions regarding candidate or voting information for Area 1, please contact:

City of Kamloops Election Officials
Chief Election Officer	Deputy Chief Election Officer	Deputy Chief Election Officer
Alisha Beday	Rozina Ripa	Graham Hrycan
Contact: election@kamloops.ca \| 250-828-3483

2026 Rural Trustee Elections

Contact information for the Chief Election Officer and Deputy Chief Election Officer for Trustee Electoral Areas 2–5 is provided below.

School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) Election Officials
Chief Election Officer	Deputy Chief Election Officer
Kim Morris	Rianne Jeeves
Contact: elections2026@exc.sd73.bc.ca \| 250-319-4256

The following trustees have been elected by acclamation:

Trustee for Area 3	Trustee for Area 4
Bronwen Bird - Barriere, BC	Diane Jules - Chase, BC

Elections by voting will be held for Area 2 – North Thompson and Area 5 – Logan Lake and Copper Desert Country. Voting dates, times, and locations for these areas are provided below.

Area 2 – North Thompson

Advance Voting

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

District of Clearwater Municipal Office

209 Dutch Lake Road, Clearwater, BC

General Voting

Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

Avola Schoolhouse – 6366 Avola Village Road, Avola
Blackpool Community Hall – 155 Ferry Road, Clearwater
Blue River Elementary – 5917 3rd Avenue, Blue River
Dutch Lake Community Centre – 209 Dutch Lake Road, Clearwater
Vavenby Elementary – 3157 Galiano Road, Vavenby

Special Voting Opportunities

Special voting opportunities will be available on Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm for qualified electors who are patients or staff at:

Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital – 640 Park Drive RR#1, Clearwater
Evergreen Acres Seniors Residence – 144 Evergreen Place, Clearwater

Area 5 – Logan Lake and Copper Desert Country

Advance Voting

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

Logan Lake Fire Hall – 120 Chartrand Place, Logan Lake
Tobiano Presentation Centre – 38 Rue Cheval Noir, Tobiano

General Voting

Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

AE Perry Elementary – 1380 Sherbrooke Avenue, Kamloops
Lac Le Jeune Resort – 5665 Lac Le Jeune Road, Lac Le Jeune
Logan Lake Fire Hall – 120 Chartrand Place, Logan Lake
McQueen Lake Environmental Centre – Thompson-Nicola J, BC
Savona Elementary School – 6665 Tingley Street, Savona
Tobiano Presentation Centre – 38 Rue Cheval Noir, Tobiano

Join Our Election Team

School District No. 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) is seeking reliable, community-minded individuals to serve as election officials for the 2026 School Board Trustee Election. Opportunities are available in a variety of election roles at polling stations throughout the district. If you are interested in serving as an election official in this year’s election, please fill out an application form and email it to elections2026@exc.sd73.bc.ca.

Dates/Hours Needed

Advance Voting Day – October 7, 2026 – 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at the following locations:

Logan Lake Fire Hall (2 people)
Tobiano Presentation Centre (3 people)

General Voting Day – October 17, 2026 – 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at the following locations:

Savona Elementary (3 people)
Logan Lake Fire Hall (2 people)
Tobiano Presentation Centre (3 people)
Lac le Jeune Resort (2 people)
AE Perry Elementary (4 people)
McQueen Lake Environmental Education Centre (2 people)
Avola Schoolhouse (1 people)
Blue River Elementary (2 people)
Election Official Runner – Area 2 (1 person to drive to Blue River and back collecting ballot boxes for return to School Board Office)
Election Official Runner – Area 5 (3 people to drive to various polling stations collecting ballot boxes for return to School Board Office)

In addition to the above, election officials will need to attend a training session (approx. 2 hours) between now and October 6. Election officials will also be needed to move supplies to/from the locations, install signage, and visit the locations to meet with our hosts to discuss access on the voting days.

Pay Structure

	PEOs (Presiding Election Officials)	APEOs (Alternate Election Officials)	EOs (Election Officials)	Election Official Runners
Training (all staff)	$30/hour	$30/hour	$30/hour	$30/hour
Full day (advance or general voting, 8 am-8 pm)	$600/day ($50/hour)	$450/day ($37.50/hr)	$300/day ($25/hr)	n/a
Any additional hours (for moving equipment, meeting with polling station hosts, setting up/taking down polling station, counting ballots, etc.)	$30/hour	$30/hour	$30/hour	n/a
Travel Time	$30/hour + mileage	$30/hour + mileage	$30/hour + mileage	$30/hour + mileage
Food Allowance	$45/day (advance and general voting days only)	$45/day (advance and general voting days only)	$45/day (advance and general voting days only)	n/a

Duties of Election Officers

Presiding Election Official (PEO)	Alternate Presiding Election Official (APEO)	Election Officials
Take overall responsibility for operation of the assigned voting place. Receive, secure and account for ballots, ballot boxes and election materials. Set up the voting place and ensure it is ready to open on time. Supervise and provide direction to the APEO and other election officials. Ensure voting procedures and election rules are followed. Address voter eligibility, registration and procedural questions that require escalation. Take required solemn declarations. Maintain order and political neutrality at the voting place. Ensure ballots and ballot boxes remain secure throughout voting. Supervise closing of the voting place and reconciliation of ballots/materials. Supervise the ballot count after voting closes and personally determine disputed/rejected ballots. Complete and sign required ballot accounts, results and other election documentation. Secure and return election materials as directed by the CEO/DCEO.	Assist the PEO with setup, operation and closing of the voting place. Support and provide direction to other election officials. Assist with voter registration, identification and eligibility procedures. Issue ballots and maintain voting records as assigned. Assist with ballot and supply reconciliation. Participate in counting ballots and completing election documentation. Help maintain ballot security and voter privacy. Assume the PEO's duties and authority if the PEO is absent or unable to act.	Set up voting stations, booths, signage and supplies. Greet and direct voters. Locate voters on the voters list and complete required voting records. Review identification and assist with voter registration procedures. Issue ballots and provide voting instructions. Maintain voter privacy and ballot secrecy. Assist electors requiring permitted accommodations as directed by the PEO. Monitor voting procedures and immediately refer unusual situations to the PEO/APEO. Assist with closing the voting place. Reconcile ballots and voting materials. Count ballots under the supervision of the PEO and assist with required paperwork. Help pack and secure election materials following the count. BC Laws

Qualifications

Presiding Election Official (PEO)	Alternate Presiding Election Official (APEO)	Election Officials
Strong organizational and leadership skills; comfortable supervising a small team and taking responsibility for a polling location Excellent attention to detail and ability to follow detailed procedures accurately Confident handling unexpected situations, answering procedural questions and making decisions under pressure Strong communication and customer-service skills Comfortable handling confidential information and maintaining strict political impartiality Previous supervisory, election, government, administrative or similar procedural experience preferred Must be available for required training and the full assigned voting day	Strong organizational and administrative skills Excellent attention to detail and ability to follow established procedures Comfortable assisting with voter registration, ballots, documentation and reconciliation/counting Able to step into the PEO role if required Strong communication/customer-service skills and demonstrated discretion Previous election or administrative experience preferred Must be available for required training and the full assigned voting day	Reliable, punctual and comfortable working a long voting-day shift Good attention to detail and ability to follow written procedures Comfortable checking identification, working from voter lists, completing forms and handling ballots Friendly and professional when dealing with the public Able to maintain confidentiality and strict political impartiality Basic literacy/numeracy and comfort with paperwork Must attend required training

Candidates in the 2026 School Board Trustee Election, candidate representatives and candidate financial agents cannot be appointed as election officials. All election officials must be able to perform their duties impartially and preserve the secrecy of the ballot.

Runners will require valid BC Driver’s Licences and reliable vehicles. It is strongly advised that all election staff have their own reliable transportation should travel to and from the polling station or back to the School Board Office be required.

Nomination and Candidate Information Package

The nomination period has now closed.

Candidate Information and Nomination Packages for Trustee Electoral Area 1 - City of Kamloops are available at kamloops.ca/election

Candidate Information and Nomination Packages for Trustee Electoral Areas 2-5 - Thompson-Nicola Regional District are available digitally here.

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 & Bylaws

Role of Board: Policy 2
Role of Trustee: Policy 3
Delegation of Authority: Policy 11
Role of Superintendent: Policy 12
Trustee Elections 2026: Bylaw 3

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:

Toll-free phone: 1-800-661-8683
Email: electionsbc@elections.bc.ca

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

The Board of Education meets for In-Camera and Public Board meetings once a month (except July) on Mondays with In-Camera (Closed) meetings starting at 5:30 pm and Public meeting starting at 7:00 pm.

In 2026-2027, the Board will also meet as a Committee of the Whole monthly between September to June. Committee of the Whole meetings will occur on Wednesdays starting at 5:30 pm. Committee of the Whole meeting agendas and recordings will be made available to the public.

You can view the draft schedule of 2026-2027 Committee of the Whole and Board meeting here (subject to change – pending Board approval on August 24, 2026).

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 2025-2026 committee structure here.

Important Links & Resources

BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA)

SD73 Resources:

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Kim Morris, Secretary-Treasurer

Phone: 250-214-5209

Email: Elections2026@exc.sd73.bc.ca