Municipal election

Trustee candidate cites parent voice, student safety in school board run

Sep 15, 2026 | 1:32 PM


PRINCE GEORGE — School District 57 trustee candidate Lisa Mitchell says concerns about student safety, academic achievement and parental involvement motivated her decision to seek a seat on the board.

Mitchell, who has grandchildren attending local schools, said conversations with parents and students convinced her there is a need for stronger communication between families and the school district.

“I’ve been talking to a lot of parents and students,” Mitchell said. “One of the biggest things is they don’t feel like they have a voice.”

She said she wants to create opportunities for more open discussions around concerns being raised in local schools and ensure those concerns are addressed by decision-makers.

Mitchell also expressed concerns about student achievement, pointing to reports that some students require upgrading before entering post-secondary education. She argued the education system should be producing stronger outcomes given the level of public funding invested in schools.

If elected, Mitchell said her top priorities would be improving educational outcomes and ensuring students feel safe at school.

On student safety, Mitchell pointed to school bathroom policies and discussions around Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, commonly known as SOGI. She said she believes those subjects require greater public discussion and transparency.

Mitchell argued bathroom facilities should remain separated by sex and said concerns surrounding SOGI policies are among the issues she has heard from parents. She maintains there needs to be more conversation about how those policies are implemented in schools.

In addition to safety concerns, Mitchell said she would like to see schools place greater emphasis on basic academic skills and foundational learning. She questioned the current assessment system for younger students and said more focus should be placed on ensuring children master core skills before moving on to more advanced learning tools.

Mitchell said her campaign is focused on what she describes as a return to basics in education while ensuring parents have a stronger voice in the school system.