Cariboo-Chilcotin SD#27 Board of Education Trustee Elections are
taking place October 17, 2026.
School trustee elections are held every four years as part of BC's general local elections. In Cariboo-Chilcotin School District 27, seven trustees will be elected to serve a four-year term from 2026 to 2030.
DECLARATION OF CANDIDATES
DECLARATION OF ELECTION BY VOTING
DECLARATION OF ELECTION OF ACCLAMATION
Trustee Electoral Area (TEA) 1 Candidates
Elizabeth (Ella) Brown – Canim Lake South, BC
Eric De Vries – Bridge Lake, BC
Sheri Elgersma – Bridge Lake, BC
Dolores Casellato – Bridge Lake, BC
Trustee Electoral Area (TEA) 2 - ACCLAIMED
William Shepherd – 108 Mile Ranch, BC
Trustee Electoral Area (TEA) 3 Candidates
Camille (Willow) Macdonald – 70 Mile House, BC
Michael Henshall – 100 Mile House, BC
Trustee Electoral Area (TEA) 4 Candidates
Melissa Coates – Williams Lake, BC
Laura Zimmerman – Williams Lake, BC
Trustee Electoral Area (TEA) 5 Candidates
Nicole (Nikki) Berreth – Williams Lake, BC
Mary Forbes – Williams Lake, BC
Trustee Electoral Area (TEA) 6 - ACCLAIMED
Michael Franklin – Williams Lake, BC
Trustee Electoral Area (TEA) 7 - ACCLAIMED
Jenny Philbrick – Williams Lake, BC
Trustee Candidates for the 2026 General Local Elections
Trustee Electoral Area 1 Candidates
Trustee Electoral Area 2 Candidates
Trustee Electoral Area 3 Candidates
Trustee Electoral Area 4 Candidates
Trustee Electoral Area 5 Candidates
Trustee Electoral Area 6 Candidates
Trustee Electoral Area 7 Candidates
Trustees are elected from seven electoral areas:
TRUSTEE ELECTORAL AREA (TEA) | TRUSTEE ELECTORAL AREA DESCRIPTION: |
NO. OF TRUSTEES |
1 | Cariboo Regional District Electoral Area H (as that electoral area was defined in the BC Gazette dated February 19, 1981) and parts of Electoral Areas G & L (as those electoral areas were defined in the BC Gazette dated June 17, 1982). | One (1) |
2 | Parts of Cariboo Regional District Electoral Areas G and L surrounding Green Lake, and Thompson Nicola Regional District Area E to 70 Mile, conforming with the southern boundaries of SD27. | One (1) |
3 | The District of 100 Mile House. | One (1) |
4 | Cariboo Regional District Electoral Area F (as that electoral area is defined in the BC Gazette dated June 17, 1982). | One (1) |
5 | Cariboo Regional District Area E (as that electoral area is defined in the BC Gazette dated February 19, 1981) and part of Cariboo Regional District Electoral Area D (as that electoral area is defined in the BC Gazette dated June 17, 1982). | One (1) |
6 | The City of Williams Lake. | One (1) |
7 | Cariboo Regional District Electoral Area J (as that electoral area is defined in the BC Gazette dated February 19, 1981) and part of Cariboo Regional District Trustee Electoral Area K (as that electoral area is defined in the BC Gazette dated February 19, 1981). | One (1) |
Key School Trustee Election Dates
- Pre-campaign period begins: July 20, 2026
- Elector organization registration deadline: July 31, 2026
- Nomination period: September 1 to September 11, 2026
- Campaign period begins: September 19, 2026
- General voting day: October 17, 2026
- Disclosure statement deadline: January 15, 2027
- Late disclosure deadline: February 16, 2027
What School Trustees Do???
School trustees are elected members of the Board of Education. They work together to make decisions that support student success across the district.
The Ministry of Education and Child Care sets the direction for K-12 education, including the curriculum, funding amounts, and the legal framework within which boards operate. Boards are responsible for governing school districts based on the educational aspirations of their local communities and in accordance with the policy direction established by government.
Trustees:
- Focus on student achievement and well-being
- Set local policies for school district governance
- Approve the school district's operating budgets and capital plans
- Employ staff and set employment conditions
- Hear appeals from students and families
Trustees act as a corporate board. Individual trustees do not have decision-making authority on their own and they participate in decision-making that benefits the entire school district and represents the interests of the entire electorate, no matter which electoral area they were elected from.
Beyond Board Meetings
Being a school trustee includes work beyond local board meetings. Trustees are expected to sit on district committees, take part in provincial governance and professional learning activities. This can include:
- Provincial orientation and training, such as the BCSTA Trustee Academy in November following the election.
- Governance and advocacy meetings, including BCSTA Provincial Council (typically in February) and Annual General Meeting (typically in April).
- Additional learning and regional meetings as part of the trustee role. (Some of these commitments require travel and multi-day attendance).
Running for School Trustee
Nomination Process
Candidates must submit a completed nomination package during the nomination period. (Will be made available August 2026)
Deadline: Friday September 11, 2026
Submission: to the Chief Election Officer - Taryn Aumond
Who Can Run?
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen
- Be 18 years or older when nomination papers are filed.
- Have lived in BC for at least six months before nomination day
- Not be disqualified under the School Act or by law or stature from being nominated, elected or holding office.
Employees of the Board of Education must take a leave of absence starting on the first day of the nomination period and must resign if elected.
There is no requirement to live within the school district or electoral area. Candidates may only run in one electoral area.
Learn More
About School District 27
- Board of Education Governance Policies
- District Plan for Learner Success Plan 2024-2027
- Budgets & Financial Information
- School Calendars
- Enhancing Student Learning Report
- Success Stories in our Key Focus Areas
- Board Of Education Important Dates - 2026-2027
About Being a Trustee
- BC School Trustees Association
- The Role of Boards of Education and Trustees in BC
- BC School Trustee Candidates Guide
- Trustee Knowledge Series
- School Trustee Election Procedures
All School Board Trustee election questions can be directed to email: Trusteeelections@sd27.bc.ca
Municipal Elections Information
City of Williams Lake Municipal Elections