James Palanio is seeking his third term as a School District 67 trustee, continuing a journey that began eight years ago when he first stepped forward to support the school community he was already serving through his local PAC. In his second year as trustee, James was elected Board Chair in the fall of 2019 — a moment that quickly became pivotal. Within months, the district lost its two senior administrators and entered the unprecedented challenges of the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Throughout this period, James helped guide SD67 through falling enrollment and the resulting funding pressures that required difficult, multi‑year cost‑saving measures. Working closely with school communities, partner groups, and district leadership, he supported the data‑driven decisions that ultimately right‑sized the district, including the closure of three schools. Despite the complexity of these changes, SD67 maintained strong relationships with families and staff by focusing on transparency, evidence, and long‑term sustainability.

In the most recent term, James contributed to the completion of SD67’s Strategic Plan, which embeds Indigenous ways of knowing and learning throughout the district’s goals and priorities. This work strengthened SD67’s commitment to students, Indigenous Rightsholders, and all community partners.

James’s ongoing vision is to support every student in SD67 through the district’s key initiatives — including food security planning, literacy and mathematics programs, inclusive learning environments, and diversity‑affirming practices that help ensure schools remain safe, welcoming places for all who learn and work in them.

James has deep roots in the Okanagan and has lived, worked, and raised his family in Penticton. He and his wife have been happily married since 1997. Their eldest daughter is completing her final year in the Elementary Teacher Education Program at UVic, while their youngest is currently in Grade 12 in SD67.

James can be reached through Facebook or at jamespalanio@gmail.com.