Voters in North Saanich will be voting on Saanich School Board candidates, while Saanich, Central Saanich and Sidney trustees are acclaimed to their roles.
Two trustees are elected from Central Saanich, and only Tim Dunford, who is an incumbent, and Susan Hickman put their names forward for this area.
In Sidney, only incumbent Nola Silzer stepped forward for the one seat.
In Saanich, Joyce Vandall incumbent Teri VanWell are acclaimed to the two available seats.
North Saanich has two seats available, and had three candidates step forward. Incumbent Elsie McMurphy is hoping for re-election, while Keven Elder and Cheryl Wenezenki-Yolland are hoping to gain a seat at the table.
In 2018, all the board except for Central Saanich was acclaimed.
Keven Elder
Elder is an educational leadership and governance consultant with 41 years of teaching and leadership experience. He served as a superintendent for 15 years, 12 of which were in the Saanich School District.
If elected, he hopes to advocate for an adequately and responsibly funded education system, serve as a voice for children and families at the table, support decisions to provide students with opportunities for success, engage with First Nations, ensure staff have all the supports and resources they need, and ensure an effective planning and budgeting process.
Elder’s website can be found here.
Elsie McMurphy
McMurphy is seeking re-election to the board to advocate for equity in the system.
If re-elected, she hopes to give voice to the board of issues facing students, involve the community, implement Indigenous education, and develop well-rounded and healthy students.
Cheryl Wenezenki-Yolland
Wenezenki-Yolland is running for a trustee position because she has a passion for public education. She has lived on the Saanich Peninsula for 40 years, attended school here, and raised her children with her husband in the area. She was part of a Parent Advisory Committee.
If elected, her priorities include exercising sound governance and financial stewardship, work with school board colleagues and staff as well as community partners to ensure students have many opportunities, suport strong education programming, exercise accountability and transparency, engage the community in decisions, practice fair dealings in labour negotiations, listen fully and attentively, and model and support a culture of inclusivity, passion, integrity, accountability, and care.
Laura Brougham
