Edmonton Public

How To Vote

 

Visit the Edmonton city website here to find your voting times and locations.

 

Election Survey

 

Ward Candidate Name Responded
Ward A Marcelle Kosman
Hassan Tukade Mohamed
Sherri O'Keefe
Nicole Renaud
Ward B Ahmed (Muruh) Ali
Linda Lindsay
Erik Scott Olesen
Ward C Amyjoy Clow
Holly Nichol
Ward D Nickela Anderson
Colette Bachand
Nancy Hunt
Rufino Comia Ranon
Ward E Sarah Doll
Jodi Howard
Chuck Smit
Raine Turner
Ward F Julie Kusiek
Alex Marshall
Ward G Aleen Lenana
Pranshu Patel
Corrine Rondeau
Saadiq Sumar
Ward H Joshua Boateng Akom
Melanie Hoffman
Rajesh Kumar
Edison Li
Dhaval Patel
Ward I Gursharan Singh Chohan
Tamilvanan Mani
Sanjay Patel
Jan Sawyer

 

Question 1

Parents have consistently said they believe school boards should prioritize core academics. Do you believe that priority is currently reflected in your school board's budget? If not, what would you change?

Ward A

1 To Be Elected


Marcelle Kosman: No response.


Hassan Tukade Mohamed: No response.


Sherri O'Keefe: No response.


Nicole Renaud: Yes, I do think core academics are prioritized in the school budget. 78% of the school budget goes towards teaching and instruction, with 14% going towards operations and maintenance. I would continue to advocate for more funding, while exploring short and medium term innovations to support smaller class sizes and more supported classrooms to ensure core academics can be delivered in reasonable, learning-conducive environments.

Ward B

1 To Be Elected


Ahmed (Muruh) Ali: No response.


Linda Lindsay: No response.


Erik Scott Olesen: No response.

Ward C

1 To Be Elected


Amyjoy Clow: No response.


Holly Nichol: No response.

Ward D

1 To Be Elected


Nickela Anderson: No response.


Colette Bachand: No response.


Nancy Hunt: No response.


Rufino Comia Ranon: No response.

Ward E

1 To Be Elected


Sarah Doll: No response.


Jodi Howard: No response.


Chuck Smit: No response.


Raine Turner: No response.

Ward F

1 To Be Elected


Julie Kusiek: No response.


Alex Marshall: No response.

Ward G

1 To Be Elected


Aleen Lenana: Academics must remain the top priority in our schools. While socialization is also important, it comes second to learning. Parents are not only caregivers, but also the primary educators and nurturers of their children. Some discussions and lessons are best left to parents, who can teach them in ways that reflect their family’s values, culture, religion, and identity. Schools should focus on delivering strong academics and providing factual, age-appropriate information where needed. Matters of gender, sex, and personal identity are deeply personal and should be guided primarily at home. The role of schools is to educate, not to replace parents in shaping these personal aspects of a child’s life.


Pranshu Patel: Parents are absolutely right — core academics must remain the foundation of our education system. While EPSB does great work in many areas, I believe our budget could more clearly reflect that focus. Too often, funding is stretched thin by administrative or non-instructional costs, while classrooms face shortages in teachers, aides, and learning materials. As trustee, I would prioritize direct classroom funding — more support for teachers, smaller class sizes, and stronger literacy, math, and science programs. We need to make sure that every dollar possible goes where learning happens: in the classroom, not the boardroom.


Corrine Rondeau: No response.


Saadiq Sumar: No response.

Ward H

1 To Be Elected


Joshua Boateng Akom: No response.


Melanie Hoffman: No response.


Rajesh Kumar: No response.


Edison Li: No response.


Dhaval Patel: No response.

Ward I

1 To Be Elected


Gursharan Singh Chohan: No response.


Tamilvanan Mani: No response.


Sanjay Patel: No response.


Jan Sawyer: No response.

Question 2

Do you believe the money following the student to the education that parents choose is an important element of accountability for public education or a threat?

Ward A

1 To Be Elected


Marcelle Kosman: No response.


Hassan Tukade Mohamed: No response.


Sherri O'Keefe: No response.


Nicole Renaud: I do not support school voucher systems as they allow for the increased redirection of public funds to private schools. Voucher systems are particularly popular in the US, and are typically detrimental to public schools.

Ward B

1 To Be Elected


Ahmed (Muruh) Ali: No response.


Linda Lindsay: No response.


Erik Scott Olesen: No response.

Ward C

1 To Be Elected


Amyjoy Clow: No response.


Holly Nichol: No response.

Ward D

1 To Be Elected


Nickela Anderson: No response.


Colette Bachand: No response.


Nancy Hunt: No response.


Rufino Comia Ranon: No response.

Ward E

1 To Be Elected


Sarah Doll: No response.


Jodi Howard: No response.


Chuck Smit: No response.


Raine Turner: No response.

Ward F

1 To Be Elected


Julie Kusiek: No response.


Alex Marshall: No response.

Ward G

1 To Be Elected


Aleen Lenana: Yes. Funding should follow kids where they decide to go to school. Private, charter, homeschooling, christian, catholic, etc.


Pranshu Patel: I believe parent choice is important, but it should not come at the expense of our public education system. Funding should always ensure every student has equal access to quality education, whether they attend a public, alternative, or special program. The goal should be accountability — not competition — so that public schools remain strong, well-funded, and able to serve all families fairly. As trustee, I'll advocate for transparency and equitable funding, ensuring money follows students in a way that supports, not divides, our communities.


Corrine Rondeau: No response.


Saadiq Sumar: No response.

Ward H

1 To Be Elected


Joshua Boateng Akom: No response.


Melanie Hoffman: No response.


Rajesh Kumar: No response.


Edison Li: No response.


Dhaval Patel: No response.

Ward I

1 To Be Elected


Gursharan Singh Chohan: No response.


Tamilvanan Mani: No response.


Sanjay Patel: No response.


Jan Sawyer: No response.

Question 3

Do you believe local decision-makers should take responsibility for local decisions, or do you believe decisions are best made centrally?

Ward A

1 To Be Elected


Marcelle Kosman: No response.


Hassan Tukade Mohamed: No response.


Sherri O'Keefe: No response.


Nicole Renaud: I support local decision-making in terms of having local school boards as part of a representative democracy, and being able to reflect community needs. I also support site-based decision making for administrators, so long as standards, regulations, and policies are being adhered to, along with the Division's vision and priorities. Different communities can have different needs and student populations - allowing site-based decision making enables flexibility to be responsive to those specific needs.

Ward B

1 To Be Elected


Ahmed (Muruh) Ali: No response.


Linda Lindsay: No response.


Erik Scott Olesen: No response.

Ward C

1 To Be Elected


Amyjoy Clow: No response.


Holly Nichol: No response.

Ward D

1 To Be Elected


Nickela Anderson: No response.


Colette Bachand: No response.


Nancy Hunt: No response.


Rufino Comia Ranon: No response.

Ward E

1 To Be Elected


Sarah Doll: No response.


Jodi Howard: No response.


Chuck Smit: No response.


Raine Turner: No response.

Ward F

1 To Be Elected


Julie Kusiek: No response.


Alex Marshall: No response.

Ward G

1 To Be Elected


Aleen Lenana: At the local level (like school boards, principals, and parent councils), decisions often reflect community needs and values—things like programming priorities, extracurriculars, and how policies are implemented day to day. At the central/provincial or federal level, governments set funding priorities, curriculum standards, and major policies. Since public schools are publicly funded, governments absolutely have a say, not just parents, activists, or influencers.


Pranshu Patel: I believe local decision-makers should take responsibility for local decisions because every community has unique needs that can't be addressed by a one-size-fits-all provincial approach. Trustees are elected to represent families and ensure their voices shape school priorities. While provincial guidelines are important for consistency, local boards must have the flexibility to make decisions that best serve their students and communities.


Corrine Rondeau: No response.


Saadiq Sumar: No response.

Ward H

1 To Be Elected


Joshua Boateng Akom: No response.


Melanie Hoffman: No response.


Rajesh Kumar: No response.


Edison Li: No response.


Dhaval Patel: No response.

Ward I

1 To Be Elected


Gursharan Singh Chohan: No response.


Tamilvanan Mani: No response.


Sanjay Patel: No response.


Jan Sawyer: No response.

Question 4

Do you believe your school board is currently transparent enough with parents and taxpayers? What would you change?

Ward A

1 To Be Elected


Marcelle Kosman: No response.


Hassan Tukade Mohamed: No response.


Sherri O'Keefe: No response.


Nicole Renaud: No. I would broaden and deepen engagement opportunities by re-implementing the live recording of public speakers at EPSB meetings, I would hold Town Halls where the public can ask questions and get answers from their elected officials. I would also disaggregate some of the annual reporting to allow for clearer access and information sharing (e.g. the annual Seclusion & Restraint report has been rolled into the general annual report, making the information harder to access and be made aware of to the broader community).

Ward B

1 To Be Elected


Ahmed (Muruh) Ali: No response.


Linda Lindsay: No response.


Erik Scott Olesen: No response.

Ward C

1 To Be Elected


Amyjoy Clow: No response.


Holly Nichol: No response.

Ward D

1 To Be Elected


Nickela Anderson: No response.


Colette Bachand: No response.


Nancy Hunt: No response.


Rufino Comia Ranon: No response.

Ward E

1 To Be Elected


Sarah Doll: No response.


Jodi Howard: No response.


Chuck Smit: No response.


Raine Turner: No response.

Ward F

1 To Be Elected


Julie Kusiek: No response.


Alex Marshall: No response.

Ward G

1 To Be Elected


Aleen Lenana: No. Full transparency is my top priority.


Pranshu Patel: I believe the board has made progress, but there's still room for greater transparency and accountability. Parents and taxpayers deserve clear, accessible information on how funds are spent and how decisions are made. As trustee, I would push for regular community updates, simpler budget summaries, and open forums so families feel informed and involved — because transparency builds trust, and trust builds stronger schools.


Corrine Rondeau: No response.


Saadiq Sumar: No response.

Ward H

1 To Be Elected


Joshua Boateng Akom: No response.


Melanie Hoffman: No response.


Rajesh Kumar: No response.


Edison Li: No response.


Dhaval Patel: No response.

Ward I

1 To Be Elected


Gursharan Singh Chohan: No response.


Tamilvanan Mani: No response.


Sanjay Patel: No response.


Jan Sawyer: No response.

Question 5

Can you commit to removing any policies that require secrets to be kept from parents by policy, without an individual, exceptional circumstance being identified?

Ward A

1 To Be Elected


Marcelle Kosman: No response.


Hassan Tukade Mohamed: No response.


Sherri O'Keefe: No response.


Nicole Renaud: Parents are valuable partners in education, and as the mom of disabled kiddos, particularly one who is nonspeaking, having open communication between ourselves and the school staff and administration is a necessary part of our relationship with my kids' school, and supporting my kids' academic journey. There are circumstances, such as the change in preferred pronouns or names and nicknames, that I don't support teachers notifying parents of - because I recognize that this presents a potential safety concern - not all 2SLGBTQ+ kids have safe home environments - and schools sometimes are the only space where some kids can feel safe. To that end, I believe my position reflects the Safe and Caring Schools Initiative, which prioritizes all aspects of wellness, including mental health and fostering a sense of belonging.

Ward B

1 To Be Elected


Ahmed (Muruh) Ali: No response.


Linda Lindsay: No response.


Erik Scott Olesen: No response.

Ward C

1 To Be Elected


Amyjoy Clow: No response.


Holly Nichol: No response.

Ward D

1 To Be Elected


Nickela Anderson: No response.


Colette Bachand: No response.


Nancy Hunt: No response.


Rufino Comia Ranon: No response.

Ward E

1 To Be Elected


Sarah Doll: No response.


Jodi Howard: No response.


Chuck Smit: No response.


Raine Turner: No response.

Ward F

1 To Be Elected


Julie Kusiek: No response.


Alex Marshall: No response.

Ward G

1 To Be Elected


Aleen Lenana: Yes. I will commit to remove all policies that support secrecy in schools. Parents are partners. These are our kids. Government overreach is unacceptable.


Pranshu Patel: Yes — I believe parents have a right to be informed and involved in their child's education. I do not support blanket policies that keep secrets from parents. However, in rare cases where a student's safety or well-being is at risk, schools must handle the situation with care and involve appropriate supports. My goal is to ensure trust and open communication between schools, parents, and students — because strong partnerships protect everyone.


Corrine Rondeau: No response.


Saadiq Sumar: No response.

Ward H

1 To Be Elected


Joshua Boateng Akom: No response.


Melanie Hoffman: No response.


Rajesh Kumar: No response.


Edison Li: No response.


Dhaval Patel: No response.

Ward I

1 To Be Elected


Gursharan Singh Chohan: No response.


Tamilvanan Mani: No response.


Sanjay Patel: No response.


Jan Sawyer: No response.

Question 6

Do you believe parents should be informed before abortion, sexual assault, marriage, or questions about deciding to have children are covered in school, in a way similar to the requirements around sexual identity or religious identity?

Ward A

1 To Be Elected


Marcelle Kosman: No response.


Hassan Tukade Mohamed: No response.


Sherri O'Keefe: No response.


Nicole Renaud: I support parents being made aware of the different topics being covered in school. Parents also have access to the curriculum, and Parent-Teacher conferences also allow for that ongoing exchange of educational content being shared with parents, as well as parents to ask questions.

Ward B

1 To Be Elected


Ahmed (Muruh) Ali: No response.


Linda Lindsay: No response.


Erik Scott Olesen: No response.

Ward C

1 To Be Elected


Amyjoy Clow: No response.


Holly Nichol: No response.

Ward D

1 To Be Elected


Nickela Anderson: No response.


Colette Bachand: No response.


Nancy Hunt: No response.


Rufino Comia Ranon: No response.

Ward E

1 To Be Elected


Sarah Doll: No response.


Jodi Howard: No response.


Chuck Smit: No response.


Raine Turner: No response.

Ward F

1 To Be Elected


Julie Kusiek: No response.


Alex Marshall: No response.

Ward G

1 To Be Elected


Aleen Lenana: Yes. Parents must be notified about all this and everything pertaining to their children and what is tought to them. Parents should have the right to withdraw their kids in programming they deem unfit or unnecessary for their children. Parents should be fully informed on issues on abortion, sexual assault, mariage, etc.


Pranshu Patel: Yes — I believe parents should be informed in advance when sensitive topics like abortion, sexual assault, marriage, or family planning are discussed in schools. Parents deserve to know what's being taught so they can guide and support their children appropriately at home. Just as we ensure transparency around lessons on identity or religion, these subjects should also be handled with age-appropriate content, clear communication, and parental partnership. Open dialogue builds trust and helps families and schools work together in the best interest of the child.


Corrine Rondeau: No response.


Saadiq Sumar: No response.

Ward H

1 To Be Elected


Joshua Boateng Akom: No response.


Melanie Hoffman: No response.


Rajesh Kumar: No response.


Edison Li: No response.


Dhaval Patel: No response.

Ward I

1 To Be Elected


Gursharan Singh Chohan: No response.


Tamilvanan Mani: No response.


Sanjay Patel: No response.


Jan Sawyer: No response.

Question 7

Do you believe program and course development at the school board level must be transparent and focused on clearly defined knowledge outcomes?

Ward A

1 To Be Elected


Marcelle Kosman: No response.


Hassan Tukade Mohamed: No response.


Sherri O'Keefe: No response.


Nicole Renaud: Yes, I support Locally Developed Courses (LDCs) being both transparent and have clearly defined knowledge outcomes. EPSB discloses proposed LDCs in public board meetings - I continue to support broader public engagement between the public and elected officials - and would welcome greater conversations and involvement around gathering input for LDCs.

Ward B

1 To Be Elected


Ahmed (Muruh) Ali: No response.


Linda Lindsay: No response.


Erik Scott Olesen: No response.

Ward C

1 To Be Elected


Amyjoy Clow: No response.


Holly Nichol: No response.

Ward D

1 To Be Elected


Nickela Anderson: No response.


Colette Bachand: No response.


Nancy Hunt: No response.


Rufino Comia Ranon: No response.

Ward E

1 To Be Elected


Sarah Doll: No response.


Jodi Howard: No response.


Chuck Smit: No response.


Raine Turner: No response.

Ward F

1 To Be Elected


Julie Kusiek: No response.


Alex Marshall: No response.

Ward G

1 To Be Elected


Aleen Lenana: Yes. Parents must be informed on all matters pertaining to their children. What they are tought, what is presented to them, including their well being. First and foremost, kids go to school to learn academics, socialization is secondary to that.


Pranshu Patel: Yes — program and course development must be fully transparent and focused on clear, measurable learning outcomes. Parents and teachers deserve to know exactly what students are expected to learn and how success is measured. As trustee, I'll advocate for clarity, accountability, and open communication so our curriculum strengthens core academics and prepares students for real-world success.


Corrine Rondeau: No response.


Saadiq Sumar: No response.

Ward H

1 To Be Elected


Joshua Boateng Akom: No response.


Melanie Hoffman: No response.


Rajesh Kumar: No response.


Edison Li: No response.


Dhaval Patel: No response.

Ward I

1 To Be Elected


Gursharan Singh Chohan: No response.


Tamilvanan Mani: No response.


Sanjay Patel: No response.


Jan Sawyer: No response.

Question 8

What are your thoughts on communicating progress clearly with letter grades and percentages, as opposed to "descriptive grading", at all grade levels?

Ward A

1 To Be Elected


Marcelle Kosman: No response.


Hassan Tukade Mohamed: No response.


Sherri O'Keefe: No response.


Nicole Renaud: I support letter grades being accompanied with descriptive grading. As someone with a mixed methodology background, but particularly qualitative research, I recognize both type of measurements are valuable. Letter grades allow for transferrable information to other or higher institutions when students are moving on in their academic journey.

Ward B

1 To Be Elected


Ahmed (Muruh) Ali: No response.


Linda Lindsay: No response.


Erik Scott Olesen: No response.

Ward C

1 To Be Elected


Amyjoy Clow: No response.


Holly Nichol: No response.

Ward D

1 To Be Elected


Nickela Anderson: No response.


Colette Bachand: No response.


Nancy Hunt: No response.


Rufino Comia Ranon: No response.

Ward E

1 To Be Elected


Sarah Doll: No response.


Jodi Howard: No response.


Chuck Smit: No response.


Raine Turner: No response.

Ward F

1 To Be Elected


Julie Kusiek: No response.


Alex Marshall: No response.

Ward G

1 To Be Elected


Aleen Lenana: Clear grades and descriptive grading go hand in hand. I think they belong together.


Pranshu Patel: I believe clear and consistent communication of student progress is essential. Letter grades and percentages give parents a straightforward understanding of how their child is doing, while descriptive feedback helps identify strengths and areas for improvement. I support using both methods together — measurable grades for clarity and descriptive feedback for growth — so parents and students can easily track real progress at every stage.


Corrine Rondeau: No response.


Saadiq Sumar: No response.

Ward H

1 To Be Elected


Joshua Boateng Akom: No response.


Melanie Hoffman: No response.


Rajesh Kumar: No response.


Edison Li: No response.


Dhaval Patel: No response.

Ward I

1 To Be Elected


Gursharan Singh Chohan: No response.


Tamilvanan Mani: No response.


Sanjay Patel: No response.


Jan Sawyer: No response.

Question 9

Professional development days for teachers and other school board staff are negotiated locally. Do you believe your school board currently has negotiated the right number of professional development days? If not, what changes would you like to advocate for?

Ward A

1 To Be Elected


Marcelle Kosman: No response.


Hassan Tukade Mohamed: No response.


Sherri O'Keefe: No response.


Nicole Renaud: PD days are not fixed and vary from year to year. I support the amount that occurred in the 24-25 academic year, but would encourage more PD around inclusive education, to better equip educators navigating classroom complexity, and support a Community of Practice. I really appreciated Yeg Muslim Vote's suggestions around a diverse calendar, and would love to explore that further with parents, and the school community.

Ward B

1 To Be Elected


Ahmed (Muruh) Ali: No response.


Linda Lindsay: No response.


Erik Scott Olesen: No response.

Ward C

1 To Be Elected


Amyjoy Clow: No response.


Holly Nichol: No response.

Ward D

1 To Be Elected


Nickela Anderson: No response.


Colette Bachand: No response.


Nancy Hunt: No response.


Rufino Comia Ranon: No response.

Ward E

1 To Be Elected


Sarah Doll: No response.


Jodi Howard: No response.


Chuck Smit: No response.


Raine Turner: No response.

Ward F

1 To Be Elected


Julie Kusiek: No response.


Alex Marshall: No response.

Ward G

1 To Be Elected


Aleen Lenana: I dont have this information and cant comment


Pranshu Patel: Professional development is vital for keeping teachers effective and classrooms strong, but it should never come at the cost of lost learning time for students. I believe we can better balance the number of PD days by focusing on quality, not quantity — ensuring training is directly tied to classroom outcomes and student needs. As trustee, I'd advocate for more targeted, collaborative PD, scheduled strategically so it strengthens teaching without disrupting student learning.


Corrine Rondeau: No response.


Saadiq Sumar: No response.

Ward H

1 To Be Elected


Joshua Boateng Akom: No response.


Melanie Hoffman: No response.


Rajesh Kumar: No response.


Edison Li: No response.


Dhaval Patel: No response.

Ward I

1 To Be Elected


Gursharan Singh Chohan: No response.


Tamilvanan Mani: No response.


Sanjay Patel: No response.


Jan Sawyer: No response.

Question 10

Do you support or oppose the impending teachers' strike? Please explain your reasoning.

Ward A

1 To Be Elected


Marcelle Kosman: No response.


Hassan Tukade Mohamed: No response.


Sherri O'Keefe: No response.


Nicole Renaud: I support striking teachers. I recognize teachers don't want to be on strike, but the current situation in schools is unsustainable. Last year, the highest class size in EPSB had 56 students in it (a junior high class, per the annual class size report). Students with English as an additional language, and students with disabilities, are not adequately supported by this government, and the disproportionate load is being placed on the shoulders of teachers. Some classes are so packed, there isn't enough space to fit all the desks, and students sit on the ground. Libraries have been converted to classrooms, and books have been moved to the hall. This is a ridiculous situation, not to mention the fact wages haven't remotely kept up with inflation and rising cost of living. Teachers also work around 50 hours/week, in constant, high stress environments - and in my view too frequently are not experiencing safe and healthy work environments per OH&S regulations. We need this government to properly invest in our children, because they are our most precious resource, regardless of the government's political ideology.

Ward B

1 To Be Elected


Ahmed (Muruh) Ali: No response.


Linda Lindsay: No response.


Erik Scott Olesen: No response.

Ward C

1 To Be Elected


Amyjoy Clow: No response.


Holly Nichol: No response.

Ward D

1 To Be Elected


Nickela Anderson: No response.


Colette Bachand: No response.


Nancy Hunt: No response.


Rufino Comia Ranon: No response.

Ward E

1 To Be Elected


Sarah Doll: No response.


Jodi Howard: No response.


Chuck Smit: No response.


Raine Turner: No response.

Ward F

1 To Be Elected


Julie Kusiek: No response.


Alex Marshall: No response.

Ward G

1 To Be Elected


Aleen Lenana: I understand why a teachers’ strike is being considered. Teachers are raising concerns about workload, class sizes, and resources, which directly impact the learning environment for students. At the same time, I recognize that strikes place a heavy burden on families, disrupt students’ education, and create stress for the entire school community. Both perspectives are valid. My role as trustee would be to advocate for respectful dialogue, push for solutions that prioritize students, and ensure that teachers feel supported in their work while families can count on stability in schools.


Pranshu Patel: I understand why teachers feel the need to stand up for better pay and working conditions — they are the backbone of our education system. However, I believe a strike should always be the last resort, because it directly affects students and families. I support a fair, negotiated solution that addresses teachers' legitimate concerns about workload and compensation, while keeping students in the classroom. As trustee, I'd advocate for honest dialogue, transparency, and collaboration between the province, the board, and teachers to prevent disruptions to learning.


Corrine Rondeau: No response.


Saadiq Sumar: No response.

Ward H

1 To Be Elected


Joshua Boateng Akom: No response.


Melanie Hoffman: No response.


Rajesh Kumar: No response.


Edison Li: No response.


Dhaval Patel: No response.

Ward I

1 To Be Elected


Gursharan Singh Chohan: No response.


Tamilvanan Mani: No response.


Sanjay Patel: No response.


Jan Sawyer: No response.