2026 British Columbia School Trustee Elections

The next General Local Election for School Trustees of the Board of Education of School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) will be held on October 17, 2026. School Trustees are elected for a four-year term with elections occurring at the same time as the Municipal election.

Are you, or someone you know thinking about running? Check out this informative video from the British Columbia School Trustee Association (BCSTA).

Key Election Dates

Elections BC outlines the following key election dates:

Pre-campaign period begins	July 20, 2026
Deadline to apply to register an elector organization	July 31, 2026
Deadline for voter registration with Elections BC (voters may still register with their local government)	August 18, 2026
Nomination period begins	September 1, 2026
Close of nominations	September 11, 2026
Campaign period begins	September 19, 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

KCSD Trustee Positions

The Board of Education of School District No. 20 is comprised of 9 trustees representing the following areas:

Trustee electoral area:	No. of trustees	Authority
Trustee Electoral Area 1 comprised of Electoral Area I of the Regional District of Central Kootenay (Brilliant, Glade, Pass Creek, Shoreacres, Tarrys, Thrums) and part of Electoral Area J of the Regional District of Central Kootenay (Ootischenia)	One	School Board
Trustee Electoral Area 2 comprised of the City of Castlegar and part of Electoral Area J of the Regional District of Central Kootenay (Deer Park, Paulson Highway, Raspberry, Renata, Robson)	Two	City of Castlegar
Trustee Electoral Area 3 comprised of the Village of Warfield, part of Electoral Area B of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (China Creek, Genelle, Oasis, Rivervale), and part of Electoral Area J of the Regional District of Central Kootenay (Fairview)	One	School Board
Trustee Electoral Area 4 comprised of the City of Trail and part of Electoral Area B of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (Casino)	Two	City of Trail
Trustee Electoral Area 5 comprised of the City of Rossland and part of Electoral Area B of the Kootenay Boundary Regional District (Blackjack, Paterson, Sheep Creek, Southbelt)	One	City of Rossland
Trustee Electoral Area 6 comprised of the Village of Montrose, the Village of Fruitvale, and Electoral Area A of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (rural areas bordered on the west by the Columbia River, on the south by the Canada/US border, on the north by Champion Lakes Provincial Park and stretches east of the Village of Fruitvale)	Two	School Board

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;
Resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and
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.

Understanding the Role of School Boards and Trustees

Boards of Education work in a co-governance relationship with the provincial government through the Ministry of Education and Child Care (MoECC). The BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA) supports boards in this role.

The Ministry of Education and Child Care sets the overall direction for K-12 education, including curriculum, funding, and the legal framework within which the school board operates.

Boards of Education are responsible for governing their school districts, guided by the values and priorities of their local communities while following provincial legislation and policy.

School trustees are locally elected representatives who advocate for public education and make decisions that support student achievement and well-being across the entire district. They work together as a board to set the district's strategic direction, establish policies, approve the annual budget, and oversee the work of the Superintendent.

Information and Resources for Candidates