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School council elections

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School councils provide a way for Yukoners to get involved in the education of children. They provide advice to the Minister of education on the following:

  • resource allocation,
  • school programs, and
  • attendance policies

There are 17 school councils in the Yukon. Each council has between three and seven elected members. The number of elected members varies by school and is set by regulation.

Upcoming school council elections

School council elections happen every two years. The next school council election will be in spring 2028.

Past school council election results

View the results of past school council elections and by-elections. You will find the list of elected members and the number of vacant positions at the close of the election.

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Eligibility

Who can be a candidate in a school council election

Qualifications for voting in a school council election

You can be a candidate in a school council election if you are a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, AND you:

  • are the parent/guardian of a student who attends the school
    AND/OR
  • have lived in the school's attendance area for at least three (3) months.

You may be able to be a candidate in more than one school council election.

If you are not sure which school attendance area you live in, check the attendance area maps or contact the Department of Education's school council liaison.

Who can be a candidate in a Catholic school council election

Form 409C - Qualifications for Voting in Catholic School Council Elections

You can be a candidate in a Catholic school council election if you are a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, AND you meet one of the following qualifications:

  • are the parent/guardian of a student who attends the school
    OR
  • Have lived in the school's attendance area for at least three (3) months and are a registered parishioner at Sacred Heart Cathedral parish or Our Lady of Victory parish
    OR
  • Have written acknowledgment from the Bishop of the Whitehorse Diocese to vote.

If you do not live in the attendance area or are a Catholic who is not a registered parishioner, you may still be able to be a candidate in a Catholic school council election. Contact the Catholic Diocese of Whitehorse to discuss additional eligibility options:

Documents for Candidates

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Voting in school council elections

Where a vote is needed, you can vote in-person at the school over two days or apply to have a ballot mailed to you.

Being a candidate in school council elections

To be a candidate, you need to:

  • Be an eligible elector
  • Complete a nomination package, including having at least three other people nominate you, and
  • Submit your nomination package before the deadline

Nomination packages are made available before the election period begins.

School council members are elected for two-year terms. Their term starts the day before the first day of school after the election.

Filling vacancies on a school council

Occasionally school councils have vacancies between elections. When this happens, the school council members can recommend a person to fill the vacancy.

To find out more about filling a vacancy, contact the school council or the Department of Education's school council liaison.

Guaranteed representatives on school councils

Nine school councils have guaranteed representation of Yukon First Nations. These guaranteed representative members are in addition to elected members. Guaranteed representatives are appointed.

To find out more about these positions, contact the Department of Education's school council liaison.

School attendance area maps

Each school council has an assigned attendance area. Maps for each school are below.

  • Christ the King Elementary School (Google Map)

    • Attendance areas of elementary schools south of Two Mile Hill:

      • Elijah Smith Elementary
      • Golden Horn Elementary
      • Grey Mountain Primary
      • Selkirk Elementary
  • Dámbü Tän Kets’ádań Kų̀ – Cliff Trail Elementary School (Whistle Bend) (Google Map)

    • Attendance area:

      • Whistle Bend
      • Takhini, north of the softball fields
  • Del Van Gorder School (PDF)

    • Attendance area:

      • Faro and area
  • École Selkirk Elementary School (Google Map)
    • Attendance area, English program:
      • Downtown Whitehorse
      • Marwell
      • Riverdale
      • Wickstrom Road
    • Attendance area, French immersion (Kindergarten to Grade 7):
      • Whitehorse area
  • École Whitehorse Elementary School (Google Map)
    • Attendance area:
      • Whitehorse area
  • Elijah Smith Elementary School (Google Map)

    • Attendance area:

      • Arkell
      • Canyon Crescent
      • Copper Ridge
      • Granger
      • Hillcrest
      • Ingram
      • Lobird Trailer Park
      • McIntyre
      • Takhini-south (south of the softball fields)
      • Valleyview
  • F.H. Collins Secondary School (Google Map)
    • Attendance area, English program:
      • Golden Horn Elementary
      • Grey Mountain Primary
      • Selkirk Elementary
    • Attendance area, French immersion:
      • Whitehorse area
  • Golden Horn Elementary School (Google Map)

    • Attendance area:

      • Alaska Highway (sections of the highway south of McCrae)
      • Annie Lake Road
      • Atlin Road
      • Bear Creek
      • Cowley Creek
      • Golden Horn
      • Jakes Corner
      • Judas Creek
      • Kettley's Canyon
      • Marsh Lake
      • Mary Lake
      • McCrae
      • McLean Lake
      • Mt. Sima
      • New Constabulary
      • North McClintock
      • Old Constabulary
      • Paddlewheel Village
      • Pineridge
      • Robinson
      • South Klondike Highway
      • South McClintock
      • Wolf Creek
  • Hidden Valley Elementary School (Google Map)

    • Attendance area:

      • Alaska Highway (sections of the highway north and west of Whitehorse)
      • Echo Valley
      • Hidden Valley
      • Lake Laberge
      • MacPherson
      • Mendenhall
      • North Klondike Highway
      • Old Alaska Highway
      • Pilot Mountain
      • Scout Lake Road
      • Takhini Hot Springs Road
  • Holy Family Elementary School (Google Map)
    • Attendance areas of elementary schools north of Two Mile Hill:
      • Hidden Valley Elementary
      • Jack Hulland Elementary
      • Takhini Elementary
      • Dámbü Tän Kets’ádań Kų̀ – Cliff Trail Elementary School (Whistle Bend)
  • J.V. Clark School (PDF)

    • Attendance area:

      • Mayo
      • Keno
      • Stewart Crossing and areas
  • Jack Hulland Elementary School (Google Map)

    • Attendance area:

      • Alaska Highway (from McIntyre Creek to 1.6 kilometres before its intersection with the North Klondike Highway)
      • Crestview
      • MacKenzie Trailer Park
      • Porter Creek
  • Khàtìnas.àxh Community School (PDF)

    • Attendance area: 

      • Teslin and area
  • Porter Creek Secondary School (Google Map)

    • Attendance area:

      • Elijah Smith Elementary
      • Hidden Valley Elementary
      • Jack Hulland Elementary
      • Takhini Elementary
      • Dámbü Tän Kets’ádań Kų̀ – Cliff Trail Elementary (Whistle Bend)
  • Robert Service School (PDF)

    • Attendance area:

      • Dawson City and area
  • St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary School (Google Map)
    • Attendance area:
      • Whitehorse area
  • Tantalus Community School (PDF)
    • Attendance area:
      • Carmacks and area

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

General

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1) When is the next election for members of school council?

A general election is held every two years to elect members to school councils. After the May 2026 election, the next general election will be in spring 2028. 

2) What attendance area do I live in?

Check the school attendance area maps or contact Richard Poirier, School Council Liaison, by emailing [email protected] or calling (867) 332-7249.

3) How many school council members will be elected?

Between 3 and 7 members will be elected to each council. The number of elected members on each school council is specified by the Minister of Education and the Education Act. 

School 

# of Positions

Christ the King Elementary

5

Dámbü Tän Kets'ádań Kų̀ (Cliff Trail Elementary)

5

Del Van Gorder School (Faro)

5

École Selkirk Elementary

5

École Whitehorse Elementary

7

Elijah Smith Elementary School

3

F.H. Collins Secondary

7

Golden Horn Elementary

5

Hidden Valley Elementary

5

Holy Family Elementary School

5

J.V. Clark School (Mayo)

3

Jack Hulland Elementary

7

Khàtìnas.àxh Community School (Teslin)

3

Porter Creek Secondary

7

Robert Service School (Dawson)

6

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary School

5

Tantalus School (Carmacks)

3

4) When do school council terms begin and end?

If elected or acclaimed, your term will begin on the day before the first day of school following polling day. To find out when the first day of school is in your community, refer to the school calendar available on Yukon.ca.

5) How do I contact my Returning Officer?

School council returning officers do not have offices and are available as required. Outside of an election period, contact Elections Yukon at [email protected] or (867) 667-8683.

During a school council election, the name and contact information for your returning officer will be available from the school, posted notices, and on this page.

6) Where can I learn more about the role of school councils?

Learn what school councils do

If you have questions about what members of a school council do:

Voters

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1) Who can vote in school council elections?

Voters in School Council Elections

To vote in the election, all four of these criteria must be met:

  • Canadian citizen,
  • 18 years or older at time of voting,

AND

  • Qualified for voting in the attendance area
  • See the qualification requirements section for more information
  • Have not already voted in the attendance area in the school council election

Qualification Requirements for School Councils

Eligibility in an attendance area differs depending on the type of school council. Being qualified means meeting one of the listed conditions for the corresponding type:

For School Councils:

Qualifications for School Councils

  • Resident of the attendance area for three months or more

OR

  • Parent1 of a child attending the school

For Catholic School Councils:

Qualifications for Catholic School Councils

  • Resident of the attendance area for three months or more and also currently a registered member of either of these two parishes:2 Sacred Heart Cathedral or Lady of Victory.

OR

  • Parent1 of a child attending the school

OR

  • Issued approval that is recognized by the Bishop of the Catholic Episcopal Corporation designating you as resident for electoral purposes3 (e.g., letter of approval, etc.)

Note:

1Parent: Refers to the biological parents, the adoptive parents by custom or otherwise, the persons legally entitled to custody, or the persons who usually have the care and control of the child.

2Parishes: Catholic school elections also require you to be a registered member of an approved parish.

3Unregistered Catholics: can contact the Catholic Diocese of Whitehorse to discuss their options.

2) Where can I vote for school council?

If an election is to be held for a school council, voting will be available at the polling place established by the returning officer. Polling places are typically located in a school.

Documents for Voters

Voter Guide

3) How can I vote for school council if I will be away?

Absentee Voters

If you will be away during the election period (to be determined in 2028), you can vote by mail-in ballot.

Applications for mail-in ballots will be made available at the start of the election period.

Mail-in Ballot Applications and Oaths

  • Mail-In Ballot Application and Oath (Bilingual)
  • Fillable PDF – Mail-In Ballot Application and Oath (Bilingual)

Mail-in Ballot Applications and Oaths for Catholic Schools

  • Mail-In Ballot Application and Oath for Catholic Schools (Bilingual)
  • Fillable PDF – Mail-In Ballot Application and Oath for Catholic Schools (Bilingual)

Documents for Voters

Voter Guide

4) How are mail-in ballots used for school councils?

Mail-in ballots are an option to vote early, although mailing out or returning them has been very infrequent. Electors must consider mail delivery timelines to ensure receipt and return of the mail-in ballot by the close of polls.

More information, including applications to vote by mail-in ballot, will be made available before the 2028 school council election period begins. 
 

5) Can I vote if I am not the parent of a child in school, but have care or custody of them?

Yes. The Education Act defines parents as:

  • The biological parents,
  • the adoptive parents by custom or otherwise,
  • the persons legally entitled to custody, or
  • the persons who usually have the care and control of the child. 

Documents for Voters

Voter Guide

Candidates

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1) Who can run as a candidate in a school council election?

Candidates in School Council Elections

To run as a candidate in the election, all four of these criteria must be met:

  • Canadian citizen,
  • 18 years or older at time of voting,

AND

  • Qualified for voting in the attendance area
  • See the qualification requirements section for more information
  • Have not already voted in the attendance area in the school council election

Qualification Requirements for School Councils

Eligibility in an attendance area differs depending on the type of school council. Being qualified means meeting one of the listed conditions for the corresponding type:

For School Councils:

Qualifications for School Councils

OR

  • Parent1 of a child attending the school

For Catholic School Councils:

Qualifications for Catholic School Councils

  • Resident of the attendance area for three months or more and also currently a registered member of either of these two parishes:2 Sacred Heart Cathedral or Lady of Victory.

OR

  • Parent1 of a child attending the school

OR

  • Issued approval3 that is recognized by the Bishop of the Catholic Episcopal Corporation designating you as resident for electoral purposes (e.g., letter of approval, etc.)

Note:

1Parent: Refers to the biological parents, the adoptive parents by custom or otherwise, the persons legally entitled to custody, or the persons who usually have the care and control of the child.

2Parishes: Catholic school elections also require you to be a registered member of an approved parish.

3Unregistered Catholics: can contact the Catholic Diocese of Whitehorse to discuss their options.

2) How do I become a candidate in a school council election

To be a candidate, a properly completed nomination paper must be filed with the returning officer for the school's attendance area.

Nomination forms and instructions on how to complete them will be available once the election starts.

Key dates for the 2028 school council election will be announced once dates are confirmed with the Minister of Education. 
 

3) Can I be elected to more than one school?

Yes. You can be elected for any school council for which you are a confirmed candidate. 

4) Can I submit my nomination paper to any School Council Returning Officer?

No. You must submit your nomination paper to the returning officer appointed to the school council election for the school for which you wish to be a candidate. 

5) Can I withdraw my name after filing my nomination paper?

Yes. You can withdraw your name anytime before the polls open on polling day. You must provide the returning officer with notice of your withdrawal—in writing.

6) What happens if the number of candidates is equal to or less then the number of positions on the school council?

Candidates whose nomination papers have been accepted and approved by the returning officer will be elected by acclamation. 

7) What occurs when there are more candidates running than elected positions for the school council?

A vote will be held.

Learn more about school councils

If you have questions about what members of a school council do:

Questions about school council elections

If you have questions about school council elections, contact Elections Yukon by emailing [email protected] or calling 1-866-668-8683 (toll-free).

Other School Elections

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Other School Election Links

School Board Elections
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