Meet the Candidates

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John Evans, the incumbent, was elected to the Foothills School Division Board of Trustees as Trustee for Ward 2 in 2021. Coming into the role of trustee, John brings with him a wealth of experience as a parent, volunteer, and community member along with an educational background in accounting and payroll administration.  

Since being elected, John has been steadfast in his work to ensure that representation from differing points of view is reflected in the work of the Board and of the Division. Drawing from his 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, management, administration and as a private business owner to act as the Board’s representative on the Teachers’ Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) committee, John has also been active in representing trustees across the province on the Alberta School Boards Insurance Exchange (ASBIE) Advisory Board, Zone 5 and The Rural Caucus of Alberta. 

John remains focused on the responsible fiscal management of resources, encouraging a balanced approach to all governance decisions, and continuing to take steps towards Truth and Reconciliation all while supporting FSD in its efforts to provide the best education for all students no matter their challenges or situations. John believes that all students - Indigenous, LGBTQ+, Individual Learning Plans and Developmentally Challenged student deserve education and support from the all levels of government. Safe, Welcoming and Caring for All. 

Born and raised in Alberta, John currently calls Foothills County his home. He has served as local Community President, Music Society President and Recreation Board Vice-Chair. Outside of his passion for education, volunteering and music, John believes in an active lifestyle and is an avid curler, pickleballer, lawnbowler, runner, and hiker.  

Sharon Nichols was first elected as a Foothills School Division Trustee for Ward 4 in October 2017. She is committed to ensuring access to consistent, high-quality education for all learners in safe, caring and welcoming learning environments.

Sharon was born in Calgary and, after completing a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Calgary graduated from Ottawa Teachers’ College. Throughout her career in education, she has held teaching, administrative and curriculum leader roles. Upon leaving the classroom, Sharon served as a Learning Leader for the Calgary Board of Education, then as director of education at the Calgary Urban Project Society’s One World Child Development Centre, where she guided programming to ensure quality learning experiences for early childhood learners. Sharon is an instructor at the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education teaching undergraduate courses in curriculum studies and assessment practices, as well as supervising and mentoring student teachers during their field experiences. Sharon’s volunteer commitments have included helping new Canadians learn English and contributing to the Okotoks Public Library, first as a board member and later as Board Chair. She also served as a member of the Okotoks Post-Secondary Education Committee, investigating avenues to expand post-secondary learning opportunities in this community.

Sharon and her husband have two adult children and are proud grandparents of four amazing children.

Lisa Penzo has proudly served as Trustee for Ward 4 in the Foothills School Division since 2021. Over her first term, she has been a strong voice for students, teachers, families, and the wider community, ensuring that board decisions remain transparent, accountable, and always in the best interest of learners.

During her time as Trustee, Lisa has championed mental health initiatives, supported French Immersion, Fine Arts, trades, and alternative learning opportunities, and contributed to long-term facility and boundary planning that balances the needs of both growing towns like Okotoks and smaller rural schools. She has also worked with fellow trustees in advocating to the Alberta government for fair, sustainable funding for transportation, staffing, and infrastructure, always keeping students at the centre of her decisions.

With more than 25 years of leadership experience in non-profit organizations, youth programming, and recreation, Lisa brings a collaborative, community-focused lens to governance. Her work with children and families across many platforms has shaped her deep commitment to mental health, student well-being, and equitable access to education. She believes fiscal responsibility must go hand-in-hand with student success, ensuring that every dollar invested supports classrooms, programming, and inclusion.

Lisa is a proud Okotoks resident, born and raised in Calgary, and the parent of two adult children whose formative school years were spent in the Foothills School Division. One graduated through French Immersion and the other from the Fine Arts school, experiences that shaped their future. Having watched her children thrive in these programs, Lisa has seen firsthand the impact that strong public education and diverse opportunities can have on student success, and she carries that pride and passion into her work as Trustee.

As she seeks re-election, Lisa remains committed to building a balanced, collaborative, and student-focused board that advocates strongly for families and supports the success of every learner in Foothills.

I’m Erin Punko, a committed resident of Okotoks since 2011, and I’m a new candidate that is running for School Board trustee with the hopes of bringing a fresh, student-focused perspective to our local education system.

In my current role as a Customer Experience Associate for the Town of Okotoks, I’ve had the privilege of engaging directly with local members of our community every day. This work has enhanced my ability to actively listen, communicate clearly, and respond to the real needs of people. It is my intention to utilize these skills as a School Board Trustee to deepen my understanding of issues within the school system and advocate on behalf of the young members of our community.

As someone who has studied paramedicine and psychology, I bring a unique and informed perspective to the role of School Board Trustee: a perspective rooted in student well-being, mental health, and community care. 

My paramedic training has given me a strong foundation in emergency preparedness, safety protocols, and the importance of acting decisively and compassionately under pressure. These are critical values when making decisions that affect students, staff, and families alike. 

Through my studies in psychology at the University of Lethbridge, I’ve developed a strong understanding of child and adolescent development, behaviour, and the challenges that many students face both inside and outside of the classroom. I am passionate about advocating for policies that promote supports for diverse learners, parent and guardian involvement, and strong foundational learning.

I’m running for School Board Trustee to help ensure that our schools are equipped to support the whole student, which incudes supports in academic success, mental health, and social well-being. With a forward-thinking and student-focused approach, I will work to strengthen communication, accountability, and equity across our school system.

I have worked in education for over 15 years, including the past five in local schools across both public and separate systems from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed firsthand how underfunding, evolving curriculum demands, and rapid technology changes impact students and educators today. As a parent of four school age children, I understand the challenges children face and the vital role schools play in supporting their academic success and well-being.

With a background in Human Services, I began my career in another province before moving to High River in 2017. Since then, I have actively contributed to the High River community by serving on school councils and volunteering with Canadian Parents for French, local sports clubs, and Canadian Mental Health Alberta. I’ve also had the privilege of serving as a board director for a non-profit agency focused on childcare and education, where I gained valuable experience in governance, policy development, and strategic planning. In addition, my time on the Ministry of Education Advisory Council in 2022/23 deepened my understanding of educational policy and system-level decision-making.

I remain committed to fostering supportive learning environments where all students can thrive and ensuring families and educators have a strong voice in shaping the future of our schools. 

I’ve been a part of this school division as a student, parent, staff person and volunteer my whole life. I have always been committed to education and our community. 

My heart is here in the Foothills. 

After studying Education at the University of Alberta, I worked for Foothills School Division for 24 years where I formed relationships with staff, teachers, students and their families. 

If elected, I will provide clear, concise, reliable information to parents, stakeholders and the public. 

I will work hard and advocate for better education funding from Edmonton. Teachers and staff can make a huge difference in the lives of students – but only if they have the resources they need. We have seen the impact of insufficient funding for our schools despite efforts on the part of our trustees to address this growing concern. Schools are overcrowded, class sizes are too big, schools are understaffed and staff are burning out trying to give our kids what they need.

I feel I am an ideal candidate for Ward 5 trustee. I have the experience, skillset and connection with our community to make a difference for our children. I hope I am able to act on behalf of Ward 5 families as your trustee.

I am the proud father of 4 adult children who have all had great success in the public school system. My life’s work has been raising young people to be contributing citizens in our global world. Having recently retired, I recognize the need to feed my continued passion for being a part of a collaborative team dedicated to having a positive impact in the area of education. 

I have been a member of the High River community working in the Foothills area nearing 20 years. I was raised as a native Calgarian, moved and spent the first part of my career in Northern BC and then, prior to my return to southern Alberta spent my time as the Principal of the High School in Invermere.  

My strengths lie in capacity development, teambuilding and communication. My ability to communicate clearly and empathetically make me approachable. As a strong listener, I work to build consensus and alignment while embracing diverging opinions and respectful dissent.   

My forté includes facilitating highly functioning collaborative cultures of learning that are based upon the knowledge, enthusiasm, and determination to do what is best for the Foothills School Division. School improvement depends on building capacity throughout the system at all levels and as such, I would like to see Foothills School Division continue to be regarded as an exemplar of a high-performing District with passionate and dedicated people.