The nomination period for the Chinook School Division by-election in sub-division four has closed.

With the March 8th deadline passing, two candidates have arisen, both vying for first-term as a Board Trustee with the Chinook School Division.

One of the candidates is Tompkins Rancher, and mother of four, Katelyn Toney.

Toney grew up in the rural community of Simmie and is passionate about having quality education for rural students.

"I grew up in a small town, my school that I attended closed after grade two and then I was buses 45 miles to school after that," Toney said. "Rural education has always been really important to me and we live in a place where there are a lot of rural schools. I wanted to make sure those schools are there and that those kids don't get forgotten about."

Sub-division four is located at the centre of the Chinook School Division and is home to public schools in Wymark, Gull Lake, and Tompkins.

It also has seven Hutterian schools located in the colonies of Tompkins, Grassy Hill, Carmichael, Bone Creek, Earview, Webb, and McMahon.

"I think that I can work hard to hear the concerns of my constituents and try to help make sure that their needs are met," she added. "While still helping the school board meet their financial responsibilities as well."

The sub-division was formerly held by Bernie Ford, a 40-year Board Trustee, who passed away on December 26th, 2016.

"I got to know him (Bernie) quite a bit. I know he worked tirelessly to stand up for our schools and had a really close relationship with the colonies schools in our division. You can't ever replace Bernie," the third-year School Community Council Member for Tompkins said. "Bernie would be proud of me and everything I believe in if elected."

The school board by-election for the current term of office which runs until October 2020. The election will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voter stations can be found at Gull Lake School, Tompkins Village Office, Webb Village Office and Wymark School.

Advance polling will take place on Tuesday, March 28 from 1-4:30 p.m. at the Chinook Education Centre.