Jackson, Coutlee join Swan and Jepsen as SD 58 trustees

The next meeting of the Nicola-Similkameen School District 58 (SD58) will have some new faces at the board table following Saturday’s Municipal election.

After the ballots were counted incumbents Justin Jepsen and Gordon Swan were returned to SD58 where they will be joined by Stu Jackson as one of three elected school board officials to represent Merritt..

Jepsen was the top voter getter with 977 votes followed by longtime trustee Swan who received 917 votes.  Jackson garnered 830 votes and will represent Merritt on the school board replacing veteran John Chenoweth who did not seek re-election.

Rounding out the candidates were Leroy Slanzi who captured 821 votes while Tim Manuel received 607 votes.

Meanwhile a new voice will represent Merritt Areas M & N; Lara Coutlee defeated incumbent Everett Hoisington, outpolling the two term veteran 79-53.

The Nicola-Similkameen School District 58 is made up from three trustees from Merritt, three from Princeton & Area H, and one from Merritt Rural M & N.

Jamie Kent-Laidlaw, Leah Ward and Shane Woodruff were all acclaimed for the Princeton and Area H positions.