Greater Victoria School District Transitions to Ward System for Elections

The Greater Victoria School District (SD61) has announced a significant change to its election process, transitioning from an “at large” voting system to a ward-based model. This new structure will divide the school board into seven trustee electoral areas, ensuring that each area is represented by specific trustees who will focus on the needs of their respective municipalities. The change is set to take effect before the next school trustee election scheduled for October 17, 2024.

The decision follows a request from the Township of Esquimalt in October 2024, which prompted the SD61 board to explore the ward system. After the board was dissolved and replaced by official trustee Sherri Bell, a task force was established to evaluate the proposed electoral model. This task force included representatives from SD61, the municipalities within its boundaries, the Capital Regional District, and the Esquimalt and Songhees nations.

Under the new system, five of the trustee areas will have one trustee each, while the areas of Victoria and Saanich will each be represented by two trustees. This change aims to enhance local representation and engagement within the school district, which serves over 20,000 students, including more than 1,000 international students and over 650 adult learners in its Continuing Education Program.

Sherri Bell expressed gratitude towards the task force for facilitating constructive discussions that led to the proposal being submitted to B.C.’s Ministry of Education and Child Care in late September. She acknowledged the community’s involvement in the process, stating, “I thank the Task Force for engaging in honest conversations that ultimately led to the Trustee Electoral Area Variation Proposal submitted to the Ministry in late September. We look forward to updating the community with more information about election logistics, how to become a school trustee, and changes voters can expect.”

The Ministry has approved the new trustee electoral model, which will be operational before the upcoming elections. This development comes at a crucial time for the Greater Victoria School District, which encompasses multiple municipalities, including Victoria, Saanich, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Highlands, and View Royal.

With this significant electoral reform, the school district aims to foster a more inclusive and representative governance structure, enhancing the educational landscape for its diverse student population. The implementation of the ward system marks a pivotal step in aligning school governance with community needs and priorities.