2025 Medicine Hat School Board trustee Candidates
The 2025 Medicine Hat School Board Trustee election is an important opportunity for residents to help shape the future of education in our community. Trustees make key decisions on school programming, budgets, and policies that directly affect students, families, and staff.
This page is designed to provide a neutral, easy-to-read guide to all trustee candidates. It includes background information, key priorities, and links where available. The goal is not to endorse any candidate, but simply to make it easier for voters to access the information they need to make an informed decision at the ballot box.
If you are a candidate and notice missing or incorrect information, please feel free to contact me.
Candidates - Medicine Hat public school divison trustee
Key Points:
Create safe, supportive classrooms for students and staff.
Put the best interests of students first in every decision.
Provide transparent and responsible budget oversight.
Advocate for funding to address classroom needs and supports.
Support manageable class sizes to improve learning.
Increase resources for teachers and students where most needed.
Promote enriched and intentional learning opportunities.
Expand land-based education and non-traditional learning.
Work closely with parents, teachers, and school leaders.
Foster a strong, united school community.
Jessie Bishop
Date Filed: September 19, 2025
Experience: Over 15 years of marketing and community leadership experience, including work in tourism, nonprofit management, and local school council involvement.
Key Points:
Support students, teachers, and parents through better communication and funding.
Build community partnerships for innovative local education solutions.
Expand and modernize curriculum for equal access across schools.
Pursue grants and partnerships to strengthen public education.
Advocate for schools and teachers amid funding and inflation challenges.
Foster collaboration between schools, parents, and trustees.
Keep all schools growing and thriving together.
Focus on sustainable, community-driven education for Medicine Hat’s future.
Gwendoline Dirk
Date Filed: September 12, 2025
Experience: Jr. + Sr. High Teacher at CHHS, Instructor at Medicine Hat College, Member & Trustee of various Boards
Key Points:
Commitment to Quality Education
Supporting Educational Assistants and Staff
Championing Innovation and Continuous Improvement
Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability
Engaging the Community
Personal Investment in the District
Promoting Safe & Supportive Environments
Preparing Students for the Future
Jan Kline - Farmer
Date Filed: September 10, 2025
Experience: Former Candidate for Trustee for Medicine Hat Public School District
Key Points:
Supports smaller class sizes for better learning.
Believes every child deserves the help they need to succeed.
Focuses on early learning and special needs support.
Wants schools to listen to parents, teachers, and the community.
Cares about student mental health and well-being.
Believes in fair and careful spending of school funds.
Encourages teamwork and strong communication in schools.
Committed to safe, caring, and welcoming classrooms.
Wants strong local input in school decisions.
Dedicated to helping all students reach their full potential.
deborah forbes
Date Filed: September 15, 2025
Experience: Current Trustee
Key Points:
Supports strong, inclusive public education for all.
Believes every child deserves a chance to learn and grow.
Listens to parents, teachers, and students with respect.
Makes decisions that help the most families and staff.
Focuses on fairness, equality, and open communication.
Encourages creativity, critical thinking, and innovation in schools.
Wants safe, caring, and welcoming classrooms for everyone.
Believes in working together for the good of all students.
Stays informed and prepared on education issues.
Dedicated to building a strong, supportive public school system.
Patrick Grisonich
Date Filed: September 2, 2025
Experience: Current Vice Chair
Key Points:
Supports strong public education for every student.
Believes in open and honest communication with parents and staff.
Wants trustees to be visible and active in schools.
Focuses on student learning, safety, and well-being.
Encourages teamwork between schools and families.
Supports teachers and staff to help students succeed.
Believes in fair, responsible use of school funds.
Values programs that meet diverse student needs.
Wants decisions made with community input and care.
Committed to building strong, inclusive schools for the future.
Megan Hilgendorf
Date Filed: September 15, 2025
Experience: Vice-Chair of the Medicine Hat Public Library Board
Key Points:
Has experience as a school strength and conditioning coach.
Parent of two kids in public schools.
Understands how schools and families can work together.
Supports teamwork between parents, teachers, and trustees.
Believes in open, honest communication and strong leadership.
Cares about student and staff well-being.
Wants trustees to be active and visible in schools.
Dedicated to quality, inclusive education for all students.
Key Points:
Strong background in planning, training, and governance.
Believes in open, transparent, and accountable decision-making.
Supports teamwork between schools, families, and the community.
Wants smart spending and responsible school management.
Focuses on student success and teacher support.
Awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for service.
Dedicated to building strong, effective public schools in Medicine Hat.
Key Points:
Supports families, teachers, and students through real solutions, not excuses.
Advocates for stronger mental health supports in schools.
Committed to transparency and safer, more inclusive schools.
Values programs that help every student thrive.
yvonne Sissons
Date Filed: September 2, 2025
Experience: Current Trustee
Key Points:
Listens to parents and families.
Supports strong public schools for all students.
Encourages programs in arts, sports, and technology.
Brings real experience in education and governance.
Understands student health and well-being as a nurse.
Believes in open, honest communication.
Wants parents’ voices heard in school decisions.
Cares about responsible spending and accountability.
Active and involved in the Medicine Hat community.
Focused on helping every child reach their potential.
Quinn Skelton
Date Filed: September 2, 2025
quinn.skelton@sd76.ab.ca
Experience: Local Teacher & Coach
Key Points:
Public education builds communities
35 years as a teacher, coach, and parent.
Strong ties to the Medicine Hat community.
Understands what students and teachers need.
Supports balance in academics, arts, and sports.
Brings both teacher and parent experience.
Known for honesty and fairness.
Focused on strong, well-run schools.
Wants every student ready for success.
Key Points:
Grew up and studied in Medicine Hat schools.
Worked 15 years as an Educational Assistant.
Knows what classrooms and students need.
Proud parent with two kids in the school system.
Advocates for children with disabilities.
Has experience working with therapists to help students succeed.
Studying to become a Therapist Assistant.
Passionate about improving local education.
Wants schools to keep growing and moving forward.
Ready to bring real classroom experience to the board.
Catherine Wilson
Date Filed: September 2, 2025
Experience: Current Chair
Key Points:
Make our public school system the best in the province
Advocate for classroom resources and supports
Promote development of specialized programs
Community engagement & diversify our initiatives
Work collaboratively to support and maintain a high-functioning board
Focus on accountability and efficiency
Candidates - Medicine Hat Catholic board of education trustee
Key Points:
Supports strong Catholic faith in our schools.
Wants every student to feel safe, welcome, and valued.
Believes in great teaching and learning for all students.
Listens to parents, staff, and the community.
Keeps school spending open and responsible.
Protects and strengthens Catholic education.
Supports growth and new school projects.
Cares about student mental health and well-being.
Focuses on building strong, caring school communities.
Monica Braat
Date Filed: September 22,2025
Experience: Retired Teacher
Key Points:
Has 30 years of experience in Catholic education.
Supports every child and their unique learning needs.
Understands the challenges families and schools face.
Believes in strong, well-funded Catholic schools.
Wants decisions made with input from parents and teachers.
Cares deeply about students’ well-being and success.
Stands for fairness and inclusion in every classroom.
Values faith, community, and quality education.
Brings education, leadership, and compassion together.
Committed to helping all students reach their full potential.
alicia Doud
Date Filed: September 22,2025
Experience: Long-time school volunteer and parent with accounting experience, serving on the Catholic school Audit Committee
Key Points:
Keeps Catholic values strong in our schools.
Supports fair use of school funds and taxes.
Builds strong ties between schools, families, and parishes.
Improves technology and keeps schools up to date.
Wants kids learning real-world tools like Microsoft and AI.
Believes trustees should be in schools, not just in meetings.
Supports teachers and EAs by seeing their work firsthand.
Listens to parents, staff, and students before making decisions.
Cares about safe, clean, and well-run schools.
Works for a strong, connected Catholic school community.
Patty jo folliot
Date Filed: August 27,2025
Socials
Experience: Local Teacher – 33 years
Key Points:
Keeps Catholic faith strong in our schools.
Wants every student to feel safe, cared for, and supported.
Believes parents should have a voice in school decisions.
Supports teachers and staff in helping students succeed.
Cares about fair and responsible use of school funds.
Encourages teamwork between schools, families, and parishes.
Focuses on student learning and well-being.
Wants open, honest communication in the school system.
Believes in welcoming, inclusive classrooms for all.
Works to keep Catholic education strong for the future.
Kathy Glasgo
Date Filed: September 8,2025
Socials
Experience: Current Board Chair
Key Points:
Protect publicly funded Catholic education
Uphold Constitution, Canon Law, Act
Preserve Catholic values in curriculum
Work with bishops on assurance
Advocate provincially on key bills
Build Holy Trinity Academy project
Expand dual-credit Police program
Support new student opportunities
Safeguard Catholic mission and identity
Faithful, mission-driven leadership
Lindsay Paul heier
Date Filed: August 28, 2025
Experience: Counsellor, MA, Owner of Upfront Counselling Solutions
Key Points:
Strong faith and Catholic identity in education.
Values leadership rooted in service and Christ.
Supports clear standards for school materials and content.
Believes in listening first, then making balanced decisions.
Encourages use of modern, engaging learning methods.
Wants trustees to be present, informed, and accountable.
Supports respectful dialogue between teachers, parents, and board.
Committed to protecting children’s innocence and age-appropriate content.
Chuck Hellman
Date Filed: August 14, 2025
Socials
Experience: Retired from the board in 2023 after being on the board for 35 years
Key Points:
Keeps Catholic faith strong in our schools.
Supports high academic standards for all students.
Wants students ready for the future with new technology.
Focuses on faith, learning, and personal growth together.
Believes in caring, supportive teachers and staff.
Encourages safe, welcoming school communities.
Values open communication with families and parishes.
Wants programs that challenge and inspire students.
Works to keep Catholic education strong in Medicine Hat.
Believes education should prepare students for life and faith.
Bernie Kinch
Date Filed: September 3, 2025
Experience: Currently on the Board
Key Points:
Keeps Catholic faith strong in our schools.
Supports high academic standards for all students.
Believes in open and honest decision-making.
Puts students first in every choice he makes.
Wants strong communication with parents and staff.
Supports safe, caring, and welcoming schools.
Encourages teamwork between schools and community.
Focuses on smart planning for new schools and growth.
Wants to attract and keep families in Catholic education.
Committed to building a strong future for Catholic schools.
Richard "Dick" Mastel
Date Filed: August 19, 2025
Socials
Experience: Currently on the Board
Key Points:
Keeps Catholic faith strong in every classroom.
Believes prayer should be part of daily school life.
Protects the rights of Catholic schools to exist and thrive.
Stands up for faith-based education in our community.
Wants Catholic values in all subjects, not just religion class.
Sees trustees as faith leaders, not just decision-makers.
Supports strong ties between schools and parishes.
Promotes open, honest communication with families.
Focuses on keeping Catholic schools strong and respected.
Committed to serving with faith, integrity, and experience.
Ray West
Date Filed: September 18, 2025
Socials
Experience: Na
Key Points:
Limited info available at this time.
2025 Medicine Hat Municipal Election Key Dates
Nomination Day (Deadline to Submit Papers): September 22, 2025 — 8:30 a.m. to Noon, Council Chambers
Advance Polls Locations & Dates:
Hockey Hounds Recreational Centre, 39 10 St NE — Oct 4, 2025 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.), and Oct 14–18 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Holy Family Parish, Faith Room, 1451 Strachan Rd SE — Oct 4, 2025 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.), and Oct 14–18 (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Election Day: October 20, 2025 — all voting stations open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., fully accessible.
Unofficial Results: Published the night of the election on the City’s website.
Official Results: Declared at 12 noon on the fourth day after Election Day.
Swearing-In Ceremony of Elected Officials: Monday, November 3, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
First Regular Council Meeting: Monday, November 17, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Contact & Updates:
If any candidate notices an error, omission, or would like to provide additional neutral information for accuracy, please contact me and I will review it for inclusion.
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This page may feature paid advertising. All paid content is clearly labeled and separate from the candidate profiles to maintain neutrality. The candidate information presented here remains unbiased and factual, intended solely to help residents make informed decisions about the 2025 Medicine Hat Municipal Election. That being said if you have a business you would like to advertise you can contact me at hello@burknco.com.