Considering a run for school trustee? Surrey Schools to host information session for prospective candidates

Event Details 

Ahead of the 2026 Surrey municipal election, Surrey Schools will host an information session for community members considering a run for school trustee. The one-hour session takes place on Tuesday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the district’s Resource and Education Centre (Room 206) at 14123 92 Ave. Surrey.

The evening is intended to give prospective candidates an overview of the role of a school trustee: what the position involves, how the Board of Education operates and what serving on the board means in practice. 

Roles and Responsibilities

For more than 100 years, the Surrey Board of Education has guided public education for families in Surrey, White Rock and Barnston Island. Today, the Surrey School District is the largest of British Columbia's 60 school districts, encompassing more than 130 schools, learning centres and district offices and a workforce of roughly 10,000 people - making it Surrey's largest employer.

The board is made up of seven elected trustees who are responsible for setting the district's educational goals and priorities, approving budgets that reflect those priorities, establishing policy, planning for the district's future and keeping the community informed on educational matters.

Trustees are elected under the School Act to make educational decisions on behalf of the residents of Surrey and White Rock. Importantly, trustees govern as a collective: decisions are debated and voted on at board meetings and no individual trustee, committee or chairperson can act on the board's behalf alone. Day-to-day operations of the district are managed by professional staff under the leadership of the superintendent, while the board focuses on governance and strategic direction. 

Why Attend? 
The session gives prospective board of trustee candidates an opportunity to understand the commitment involved before the nomination period for B.C.'s 2026 General Local Elections closes on September 11, 2026.

Whether you're preparing a campaign or simply curious about how the school district is governed, prospective candidates are encouraged to attend.

Stay tuned to Surrey Schools’ social media channels for updates.