Often overlooked at election time, School District election could be vital for community this time around

The November election cycle provides for a major focus on Municipal issues first and foremost, but another set of candidates that should be reviewed by voters will be those engaged residents of the North Coast that will put their names forward for School District this fall.

The School District elections may provide for more interest this time around, particularly framed by the ongoing labour dispute between the BCTF and the provincial government.

Regardless of how the dispute is finally settled (and at some time it will come to an end), whether short or long term, the fall out from the labour acrimony will be felt most at the local levels across the province.

The terms of any settlement and how that may affect local School Board budgeting, will also provide for some of the largest of challenges for those that find success at the ballot box in the fall.

What opinions candidates will have on the topic and how they would shape policy moving beyond the labour dispute, should make for an interesting bit of debate for the region.  Something that often doesn't happen much when it comes to the School District discussion at election time.

Much like the process for the Municipal election, Nomination forms for the six positions of trustee set to be elected in November can be picked up at the City of Prince Rupert Administration office.

Nomination forms can be submitted for this fall's election starting on September 30th until October 10 during regular hours of Operation at City Hall.

The Qualifications for office are the same as those for Municipal office, with would be candidates required to meet the following:

Canadian Citizen

18 years of age or older as of the general voting day of November 15, 2014

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

A person who has been granted freedom of the municipality, it that person is a Canadian citizen and not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

As for the nomination process for the Municipal election, nominations will be received starting on September 30th, during regular business hours at City Hall.

The final day of the nomination process is on October10th at 4:30 pm.

Further information regarding the electoral process can be obtained through City Hall, those with questions are invited to contact either Tanya Ostrom, Chief Election Officer 250- 627-0991 or Rory Mandryk, Deputy Chief Election Officer, 250-627-0934

For those interested in education on the North Coast, the School District 52 website provides past minutes of Board of Education meetings and other items of note, past media releases and other information on the workings of the School District.

For more background on items of interest on Education on the North Coast see our Education archive page.