School District 27 (SD 27) trustees used their own words to describe their job to potential colleagues at a Jan. 15 information session leading up to trustee by-elections.
“I am a shield,” said Willow Mcdonald as she reflected on her three terms as a trustee for the SD 27 school board. “If there's stuff to be flung, it gets flung at me,” she said, explaining that it’s her job to take what she learns from the people she represents and bring it forward to district staff.
From there, it’s up to the staff to then act on what they learn from their board.
“I can listen, but I make it clear I’m not a problem solver,” said trustee and board chair Angie Delainey about what it’s like to represent the public.
All six trustees currently sitting on the board took their turn responding to the question posed by a member of the public who was looking to hear about the role of a trustee beyond the “textbook” definition.
Together the trustees painted a clear picture of the job as involving more ‘overseeing’ and less ‘doing.’ In fact, Delainey cautioned against trying to push things onto schools and district staff, explaining it could hinder staff from implementing sustainable change if they were inundated with demands.
Because of this, Delainey said it’s important to follow set processes, which means things rarely get done quickly.
“It's like swimming through honey,” she said. “You’ll be very disappointed if you think that it’s going to happen really fast.”
On top of that, the trustees emphasized the fact that sitting on a board means you act as a team rather than an individual.
“You are one voice of seven,” said trustee Michael Franklin, explaining this could be challenging at times when the rest of the board may differ in opinions. At the end of the day, the role of a trustee is to act in the best interest of the board and uphold collective decisions, regardless of how an individual voted for the decision.
In fact, trustees have a legal responsibility to do so. While reviewing the roles and responsibilities of a trustee, the district’s superintendent Cheryl Lenardon explained how members of the board have fiduciary responsibilities.
“Once you’re on this board, you’re part of the board and you act in its best interest," she said. “We may all want to do something (but) we can’t go outside of that framework.”
Trustees can inform themselves based on their own experiences and knowledge, but as a member of a team they cannot act on their own agenda.
“And why that's important is that ethical governance, financial integrity and upholding of public trust rely on that,” Lenardon said.
Along with being representatives for parents, students and staff, the trustees also have the responsibility of ensuring the business-side of things runs smoothly.
Trustees are employers, financial stewards and policy makers, and receive a stipend of just under $20,000. It’s a responsibility not to be taken lightly, said trustee Linda Martens.
The trustees said candidates did not need to have knowledge of the education system, indeed they encouraged those without any experience with the district to apply for the role, explaining it’s important to have outside perspectives. All you need, said trustee Martens, is common sense.
The board also explained during the session that a trustee’s time commitment varies. Franklin suggested it takes about ten to fifteen hours per month for ten months of the year, as there is rarely a need to work in July and August. Most of your time, Delainey said, is dedicated to preparing for meetings by reading agendas and reports and writing down any questions or discussion points you may have, as well as attending those meetings. Public board meetings are once a month, and trustees need to be available for them from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The trustees agreed that both the spring and the fall is when the work really ramps up, but even at the busiest times the workload is less than a full-time job. Trustee Mary Forbes said the role is very manageable as a business owner.
Among the other questions posed to the board, one was dismissed due to what trustee Martens and Lenardon said was better suited for a candidates’ forum.
The question, posed by a member of the Concerned Parents and Caregivers of Williams Lake, was regarding what the trustees perceived their responsibility to be concerning creating safe and healthy environments for students to learn in. He also asked the trustees to explain why they thought there was “so much violence and bullying in the school district."
To become a trustee, you must be 18 years of age or older, a Canadian citizen and have been a resident of B.C. for at least six months. Among the disqualifications listed in the School Act, a trustee cannot currently be employed by the district.
The by-election nomination period begins on Jan. 22 at 9 a.m. and the original nomination package must be delivered to the Chief Election Officer, Judy Felker, by 4 p.m. on Jan. 31, which is also the last day to withdraw a nomination.
Nomination packages can be downloaded or picked up at the district’s main office, or picked up in person at locations listed on the district site. Candidates need two signatures to support their nomination and must disclose their financial interests as part of the process.
The campaign period will begin on Feb. 1, and general voting day will be March 8, with an advance voting date yet to be determined.
The trustee will be stepping into Ciel Patenaude's role, who resigned in November 2024, and will represent electoral area four which includes addresses in Likely, Horsefly, Big Lake, 150 Mile House and Williams Lake First Nation.
Learn more about the role of a trustee by referring to the BC School Act or on the district’s by-election web page.
