Two of the three zones in the Vancouver Island North School District will have their candidates acclaimed, but zone three will face an election.
Three candidates stepped forward for two seats in the third zone of the school district.
In the zone are two incumbent candidates, and a third seeking election.
Paul Cann and Lawrie Garrett are incumbents up for re-election, and Kat Tjepkema is seeking to be elected.
Zone three of the district covers the Town of Port McNeill, Area D and the south part of Area C, including Hyde Creek and Nimpkish Heights.
In zone one, incumbents Jeff Field and Leightan Wishart have been acclaimed, alongside Janet Deane who will sit on the board for the first time.
Zone one covers the District of Port Hardy, Area B, and the north part of Area C, including Coal Harbour, Quatsino, and the Reserves of the Quatsino, Kwakiutl and Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw First Nations.
In zone two, incumbents Eric Hunter and Carol Prescott will return to the school board.
Zone two covers the Village of Alert Bay, the Village of Port Alice, and Area A, including the Reserves of the Namgis First Nation and Whe-La-La-U Area Council.
Voters who live in zone three will be able to vote alongside their municipal ballots on general election day on Oct. 15, as well as advanced voting days as outlined by their municipality.
In 2018, the entire school board was acclaimed.
CHEK News has reached out to Cann and Garrett for information about them and their campaigns but has not heard back. This story will be updated when information becomes available.
Kat Tjepkema
Tjepkema has two children in school and has ties to many children in the community through her work in childcare and early development.
If elected, she plans to make safety of students and staff her number one priority. Other priorities include ensuring schools have a supportive and fun atmosphere where children are aware of their potential and feel supported by staff, and opening schools to secondary uses for community to come together. She says pre-school and childcare would be prioritized for secondary use.
Laura Brougham
