Lakeland and Area School Board Elections Bring Mix of Experience and New Voices

As ballots were cast and results confirmed following the October 20, 2025 municipal election, school boards across the Lakeland region have taken shape for the next four-year term. While many trustees were acclaimed, several local races brought both familiar faces and fresh perspectives to education leadership.

Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS)

Voters in Ward 1 – Bonnyville went to the polls to fill three trustee positions, with Garry Kissel (525 votes), Cheryl Edwards (468 votes), and Roy Ripkens (445 votes) re-elected. Lorena Hagen and Mark Hunt were not elected.

The remaining trustees were acclaimed:

• Ward 2 – Cold Lake: Karen Packard, Mandi Skogen, Ron Young

• Ward 3 – Lac La Biche: Lois Phillips

• Ward 4 – Lac La Biche–Plamondon North: Sandy Makokis

• Ward 5 – Lac La Biche South: James White

Once results are verified later this week, the new NLPS board will begin its next term overseeing education in communities from Bonnyville to Lac La Biche.

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St. Paul Education

The St. Paul Education Division will see a combination of returning trustees and new representation.

In Ward C, covering the Town of St. Paul, Sylvie Smyl (982 votes) and Lorette Andersen (622 votes) were elected from a five-person field. Ellen Reid and Priscilla Gagnon were not elected.

Ward D, which includes Ashmont and Mallaig, has been filled after being vacant since 2022. Dale Hedrick (578 votes) earned the seat over Anita Hellquist.

Other trustees were acclaimed:

• Ward A: Darcy Younghans

• Ward B: Jan Rajoo

• Glen Avon Ward: Udo Mueller

The new board will continue guiding priorities for schools across the County of St. Paul, Ashmont, and Mallaig regions.

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Lakeland Catholic School Division (LCSD)

All seven trustee positions for the Lakeland Catholic School Division were filled by acclamation following the withdrawal of one candidate. The new board will serve from 2025–2029 across three wards.

• Ward 1 – Bonnyville and Area: Dana Chaulk, Lana Lambert, Vince MacDonald (Kevin Roth withdrew)

• Ward 2 – Cold Lake and Area: Anna Brockhoff, Jean-Marc Michaud, Carla Zohar

• Ward 3 – Lac La Biche and Waskatenau and Area: Donna Cloutier

The acclaimed board will continue providing faith-based education in the Bonnyville, Cold Lake, and Lac La Biche regions.

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Aspen View Public Schools (AVPS)

The Aspen View Public Schools Division, headquartered in Athabasca, released unofficial results for the Ward 5 (South Central) trustee election on October 21, 2025.

Brittany Turko received 410 votes, defeating Elohne Chizawsky, who received 395 votes. Votes were tallied across Smoky Lake County, the Town of Smoky Lake, and Thorhild County.

All other trustees were elected by acclamation, including:

• Ward 1 (Northwest): Anne Karczmarczyk

• Ward 2 (North Central): Dennis MacNeil and Maria Smosarska

• Ward 3 (Northeast): Candyce Nikipelo

• Ward 4 (Southwest): April Bauer

• Ward 6 (Southeast): Donna Cherniwchan

Official results will be confirmed at 12 noon on October 24, 2025, according to the division’s news release.

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Together, these elections mark the start of a new four-year term for school boards across the Lakeland and surrounding areas, setting the direction for public and Catholic education from Bonnyville to Smoky Lake.