2026 School Trustee Elections

Jan. 27, 2026

The next General Local Election for School Trustees of the Board of Education of School District No. 70 (Pacific Rim) 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.

This page contains information including requirements and deadlines for school trustee candidate nominations, and where to find other important election facts. The page will be updated continuously as we get closer to Election Day.

The 2026 School Trustee election will be administered by the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD). The regional district’s Chief Elections Officer, Cynthia Dick, and Deputy Chief Election Officer, Heather Zenner, serve as election officers for the school district election. The ACRD is responsible for the official election process — including candidate nominations, voting opportunities, and election results. That said, as we recognize that many residents look to the school district for trusted local information, we will be supporting public awareness by posting election-related information and links on this page.

Are you, or is someone you know, interested in serving their community as a B.C. School Trustee? Watch this video provided by the British Columbia School Trustees Association, to hear from school trustees from throughout the province about their experience as local leaders on Boards of Education in advance of the upcoming elections in October.

       
Learn more in the topic areas on this page.

School District No. 70 (Pacific Rim) Overview

The Pacific Rim School District covers much of Central Vancouver Island’s rugged, picturesque West Coast and serves a regional population of approximately 31,000 residing in the communities of Port Alberni, Tofino, Ucluelet, Bamfield and other remote communities. Located on the ḥaḥuułi of the c̓išaaʔatḥ and Huupač̓asʔatḥ First Nations, the school district also operates schools on the ḥaḥuułi of ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ, huuʕiiʔatḥ and yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government and acknowledges that we work alongside all nuučaan̓uł Nations as well as the Métis Nation of British Columbia to serve the children and youth of the Alberni-Clayoquot region.

The district is home to 4000 students, 36% of whom are of Indigenous Ancestry, in two neighbourhood secondary schools, eight elementary schools, and one K-12 school. The district has a successful alternate learning centre, a strong French Immersion program, a thriving international student program, and a busy continuing education program. The district is committed to all student successes and has strong connections to Early Learning and Community Wellness and Mental Health support, as well as the region’s two major post-secondary institutions. The school district employs over 500 employees, including teachers, support staff and administrators.

The mandate of the Board of Education is to maintain a focus on student achievement and well-being, and to participate in decision making that benefits the entire district while representing the interests of the entire electorate. Our vision is to be a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning community that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, accessible, and collaborative, and creates belonging and opportunities for all. Our overall intent is to educate students in safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environments where every student develops the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be lifelong learners and responsible members of our global society. Learn more in our 2023/24 - 2027/28 Strategic Plan.

Role of a School Trustee

School trustees are locally elected officials who govern the public education system in their district. Trustees are responsible and accountable to:

Set strategic direction: Develop and oversee the district's strategic plan, ensuring it aligns with community values and student needs.
Establish policies: Create policies that guide and support the strategic vision of the district.
Approve budgets: Allocate resources effectively to support student learning and district priorities.
Hire the Superintendent: Select the Superintendent, who manages daily operations of the school district.
Engage with the community: Represent the public's interests in education and communicate decisions transparently.

Trustees focus on governance and strategic oversight, not the daily management of schools.

Trustee Positions in the 2026 General Local Election

In October 2026, voters in School District No. 70 (Pacific Rim) will elect 7 school trustees as part of B.C.’s general local elections. The Board of Education seats are distributed as follows:

Six Trustees: City of Port Alberni and Electoral Areas: "A" (Bamfield), "B" (Beaufort), "D" (Sproat Lake), "E" (Beaver Creek) "F" (Cherry Creek).
One West Coast Trustee: District of Tofino, District of Ucluelet, and Electoral Area "C" (Long Beach).

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 15, 2026;
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.

General Election Schedule – 2026

Nomination Period:
September 1 – 11, 2026
(nominations open 9:00 a.m. Sept 1 and close 4:00 p.m. Sept 11)

Declaration of Candidates:
September 11, 2026
(after 4:00 p.m., list of officially nominated candidates is published)

Deadline for Challenging Nominations:
September 15, 2026
(period to challenge a nomination in court)

Deadline for Candidate Withdrawal:
September 18, 2026
(last day for candidates to withdraw, by 4:00 p.m.)

Campaign Period:
September 19 – October 17, 2026
(campaign advertising rules in effect 28 days before General Voting Day)

Advance Voting Days:
October (date TBA) and October (date TBA)
(at least two advance polls, as required by law)

General Voting Day:
October 17, 2026 (Saturday)

Official Election Results Declaration:
by October 21, 2026
(final results declared by Chief Election Officer)

Inaugural Board Meeting: (Swearing-in):
November 2026
(date TBA – newly elected trustees sworn in and begin their term)

All candidates are responsible for meeting these deadlines and should confirm exact dates with the local Chief Election Officer.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information for prospective candidates and should not be considered legal advice. Candidates should refer to the School Act, local government bylaws, and official elections materials for authoritative requirements.

Notices and Information

In accordance with the Local Government Act's prescribed timelines, School District No. 70 (Pacific Rim) will post notices and information for candidates and voters here, including:

Nomination Package information
Notice of Nominations
2026 Trustee Election Candidates
Declaration of Elections by Voting or Acclamation
Notice of Elections by Voting