School Board Trustee Elections
As part of general municipal elections, Albertans vote for their school board trustees. A general municipal election takes place once every four years as legislated under the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA).
Role of a School Board Trustee
School boards are charged with the responsibility to govern the affairs of the school authority under the Education Act, and are advocates for students to ensure education is given a high priority. The following lists additional School Board Trustee roles:
- using available resources to set strategic priorities
- developing effective policies and practices
- driving provincial policy changes
- ensuring financial transparency
- ensuring parents’ voices, students’ needs and school community thinking, remain at the forefront in Alberta’s education system
Please visit the What is a Trustee? page on the Palliser School Division website for more information.
Become a Trustee
The next general election will be held on October 20, 2025.
The nomination period for the 2025 general municipal election began January 1, 2025 and runs until 12:00 p.m. on Nomination Day, Monday, September 22, 2025.
The Palliser School Division promotes and encourages its interested citizens to run for the office of elected school board Trustee. The Division is committed to providing an environment that will give all candidates fair access to the electorate.
The Local Authorities Election Act states in section 21(1) that a person can be nominated as a school board trustee in any election if they:
- are eligible to vote in the election;
- have been a resident of the local jurisdiction and the ward for the six consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day; and
- are not otherwise ineligible.
DISCLAIMER: It is the candidate’s responsibility to read and understand the legislation, or to seek appropriate legal or accounting advice from professionals as required. The candidate is responsible for ensuring that his or her campaign complies with all provincial laws.
Filing a Nomination Form
Candidates who seek nomination for school board Trustee must complete the election package consisting of Form 4–Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance and Form 5–Candidate Financial Information.
Election packages are available to download at the links below:
Form 4 - Nomination Paper and Candidate's Acceptance
Form 5 - Candidate Financial Information
Paper copies of election packages are also available for pick-up at the Palliser Education Centre at #101, 3305 - 18 Avenue North in Lethbridge. Office hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Nominations must be signed by at least five electors. These electors must be residents of the school board on the date they signed the form and be eligible to vote in the election. As Palliser School Division has a ward system, the electors signing the nomination form must also be residents of the ward for which the candidate is being nominated.
Candidates must file their nomination papers with the Returning Officer by appointment. Please email election2025@pallisersd.ab.ca to book an appointment time.
Ward Boundaries
An electoral map of the Palliser School Division is available in PDF format at the following link: Palliser School Division Electoral Division Map
Ward maps are also available to view as PDFs at the links below:
Ward 1, Subdivision 1 represents the rural area at the south end of the County of Lethbridge, outside the City of Lethbridge and Town of Coaldale. (Click here for a map of Ward 1, Subdivision 1).
Ward 1, Subdivision 2 represents the Town of Coaldale. (Click here for a map of Ward 1, Subdivision 2).
Ward 1, Subdivision 3 represents a rural area in the County of Lethbridge that includes the communities of Coalhurst, Nobleford and Barons. (Click here for a map of Ward 1, Subdivision 3).
Ward 1, Subdivision 4 represents the County of Lethbridge area surrounding and including the communities of Picture Butte and Iron Springs. (Click here for a map of Ward 1, Subdivision 4).
Ward 2, Subdivision 1 represents a rural area in Vulcan County east of Highway 23/24 that includes the communities of Arrowwood, Milo and Champion. (Click here for a map of Ward 2, Subdivision 1).
Ward 2, Subdivision 2 represents a rural area in Vulcan County west and south of Highway 23/24 that includes the Town of Vulcan. (Click here for a map of Ward 2, Subdivision 2).
Returning Officer Contact
For more information about Trustee elections or to schedule an appointment to file nomination papers please contact:
Returning Officer
403-328-4111
Additional Resources