The following op-ed was published by the Victoria Times Colonist on October 7, 2026. See the link below to read the full story.

The most important election you’re probably not paying attention to

By Carole Gordon, President of the BC Teachers’ Federation

Every municipal election, thousands of British Columbians carefully research who deserves their vote for mayor or councillor. Then they reach the school board section of the ballot, realize they don’t know a single name, and decide that vote doesn’t matter.

Some make random choices, while others skip it altogether.

That’s a problem, because the people elected as school ­trustees make decisions that affect almost all kids and teens in their community.

School trustees govern local school districts, and their decisions show up every day in classrooms. They hire and evaluate the superintendent, set financial priorities and district policies, and advocate for provincial funding.

They make decisions about anti-discrimination and inclusion, which programs get funded or cut, and whether aging schools get the upgrades they need. These decisions shape what students and educators experience every day.

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Read more in the Victoria Times Victoria Times Colonist.