Why voting for B.C. school trustees matters in Oct. 17 election

Those differences are one reason said local decision-making matters, said Broady: “Trustees bring those voices forward to the communities and understand the nuances of their local communities.”

The provincial government determines how much funding school districts receive based on a funding formula. School boards are then responsible for deciding how to allocate those resources locally. They are required to submit a balanced budget each year.

About 87 per cent of district spending goes toward salary and benefits, said Broady. The rest is spent on expenses such as specialized programs, supplies and equipment, maintenance, utilities, and student transportation and portables, if applicable.

Broady said most boards fund above the levels the education ministry provides for special education. Some districts are able to create some local revenue from things such as international student tuition and rentals and leases.

Not by themselves. School boards can identify their capital needs, including new schools, additions, seismic upgrades, and submit a five-year capital plan to the provincial government.

The board’s role is to identify and prioritize the district’s needs and submit those proposals to Victoria. The province then decides which and when projects receive funding.

About 770 candidates are vying for trustee positions this year to fill 412 seats in 60 districts across B.C. — that is up from 687 candidates in the 2022 elections. Of these, 462 candidates are new, a jump of 28 per cent from the 2022.

There are also fewer seats being filled by acclamation — 109 this year compared to 119 last year.

It’s a welcome development, said Broady, a four-term trustee who is not running for re-election in October. “There’s a lot of interest in the role.”

It is a question Broady often hears when campaigning. She believes that public education matters to everyone, not just families with children in school.

“At the core of a strong democratic system is a strong public education system,” she said, adding that today’s students will become tomorrow’s workforce, whether that’s teachers, nurses, tradespeople, scientists, and entrepreneurs, as well as neighbours and community leaders.

“A strong education system prepares students for the world going forward, and your local trustees support that and help make it happen.”

If that doesn’t convince you, consider this: Schools are funded by tax dollars. In 2025-26, the provincial government allocated about $7.3 billion to K-12 public education, one of B.C.’s largest public expenditures.

Start with your local municipality’s website, which should have a list of verified candidates. In Vancouver, for example, the city’s candidate portal lists all 130 people running for office, including the 31 candidates seeking a seat on the school board.

From there, voters can read candidates’ biographies and campaign platforms to get a sense of their priorities and positions.

Follow local news outlets for reporting on the candidates and issues. Attend all-candidates debates and town halls for an opportunity to hear candidates answer questions directly and compare their positions on local issues.

And if a candidate comes knocking on your door, take the opportunity to ask questions and have a chat.

chchan@postmedia.com