Vancouver, B.C. — The British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA) is calling on British Columbians to take an active role in their local education system this fall, as voters across the province prepare to elect school trustees on October 17, 2026.
Over the past year, the role and autonomy of locally elected school trustees have come under pressure in parts of the country. BCSTA and boards of education across British Columbia remain firm: democratically and locally elected school trustees are essential to connecting the real needs of local communities with the governance of public education and education policy.
School trustees are the decision-makers who ensure policies are passed, resources are allocated fairly, and every child has what they need to succeed at every stage of their K-12 education journey. As locally elected representatives, trustees bring community priorities directly into education governance, overseeing budgets, setting strategic direction, and holding the system accountable to the families it serves.
“Trustees matter, and they make a real difference in the education system,” said Carolyn Broady, Past President of the BCSTA and School Trustee of West Vancouver Schools. “If you have a child in the K-12 system, or care about the future of public education in your community, this election should matter to you. Voting on October 17th is one of the most direct ways British Columbians can shape the education experience the children in British Columbia receive.”
This October, British Columbians will elect mayors, councillors and school trustees as part of the province’s general local elections. Every ballot cast for school trustee is a decision about who will govern local boards of education, set district budgets, and represent students and families for the next four years.
BCSTA encourages all eligible voters, especially parents and caregivers with children in the public education system, to learn more about the candidates in their district and to vote on October 17. Resources on the role of a school trustee, key election dates, and how to get involved are available on BCSTA’s election webpage.
BCSTA extends its best wishes to all candidates running for school trustee this fall. Putting your name forward is a step toward improving education outcomes for children for generations to come. BCSTA looks forward to welcoming newly elected trustees at the annual BCSTA Trustee Academy, which provides orientation, professional development, and training for new trustees.
Learn more at: https://bcsta.org/elections/
About BCSTA
The BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA) represents and supports boards of education across British Columbia, promoting good governance and advocating for public education on behalf of more than 400 trustees and over 550,000 students provincewide.
-30-
Media Contact:
Monique Atwal
Manager of Communications
matwal@bcsta.org