Lake Country Votes 2026

Sean Sookochoff

School Trustee, SD23 Lake Country

Profile

Sean Sookochoff

Running for School Trustee, SD23 Lake Country.

Website
salamander-4tb4f3.my.canva.site/seansookochoff
Facebook
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Instagram
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Email
seansookochoff@gmail.com
Phone
250-718-7326

Official candidate statement

Sean Sookochoff is a professional educator, active volunteer firefighter, and local parent running for Central Okanagan School Trustee (SD23). With two children currently navigating the local school system, Sean supports community-based programs that offer practical opportunities for kids.

Sean’s career in public education spans over 30 years, anchored by 20 years of teaching at Kelowna Secondary School. As an Industrial Education teacher, Sean has developed programming that imparts real-world skills and confidence. His perspective keeps him closely connected to classrooms, teachers, and students.

Sean serves his community on the ground as a Volunteer Firefighter and EMA First Responder with the Lake Country Fire Department (LCFD), Station 91 (Oyama). In 2026, he led the revitalized GESS / LCFD Junior Firefighter Academy, offering local high school students hands-on career experience.

When he isn't in a classroom or at the fire hall, you’ll usually find Sean out enjoying everything the Okanagan has to offer—whether he’s biking, skiing, or working on projects at home.

As your School Trustee, Sean brings a unique mix of classroom-tested experience, parent perspective, and practical leadership to ensure SD23 resources directly serve students, teachers, and the Lake Country community.

See it on the District of Lake Country site

At the candidates panel

What Sookochoff said at the Rogers tv panel. Each summary was written by AI and checked by a person. The quote under it is exact, and the link opens the video at that moment.

Asked And with that, we'll start with introductions. To the candidates, as a reminder, you have two minutes to present your introduction.

Summary Sean Sookochoff says the district needs responsible, open money management as elementary schools face growth pressures. Sookochoff wants policy changes to be careful and based on evidence, not sweeping reversals or one-size-fits-all rules. Sookochoff supports a model where every child has an adult mentor at school.

I advocate for a model where every child has an adult mentor in their school, a trusted advocate who fosters belonging to their school community

Rogers tv panel, 38:54 into the video. Watch this answer

Asked What do you see as the biggest challenge currently facing students and schools in Lake Country? And what are your ideas to address it?

Summary Sean Sookochoff says the biggest challenge is navigating a fast-changing world where future jobs are uncertain. Sookochoff wants schools to offer students a safe and stable place to learn. Sookochoff also wants students to try different things before graduating, like work experience, music, building projects and school trips.

I want students to have opportunities to try on a couple of hats before they graduate.

Rogers tv panel, 56:43 into the video. Watch this answer

Asked For the two school district trustees, Sean, what do you believe the school district should prioritize when deciding how to spend its budget?

Summary Sean Sookochoff says protecting class size should be a budget priority. Sookochoff says hiring fewer teachers and raising class sizes saves money but is not best for students. Sookochoff wants the province to fund education and wants support for classroom space and staffing.

You need to advocate for educational space and staffing to keep classrooms learner-centered. The province needs to step up. They need to fund education.

Rogers tv panel, 1:14:22 into the video. Watch this answer

Asked For the school district trustees, Wilbur, what do you believe the school district should prioritize when deciding how to spend its budget?

Summary Sean Sookochoff says the provincial government needs to pay for a new school in Lake Country. Sookochoff says checking where the school is in the planning process would be an early task. Sookochoff wants the school placed where it is convenient for parents, and says the site needs discussion.

The provincial government needs to step up and provide money for a new school for Lake Country.

Rogers tv panel, 1:31:40 into the video. Watch this answer

Asked For our school district trustees, Sean is up first. What is one change you would like to see implemented in School District 23 during your term if you are elected as a trustee?

Summary Sean Sookochoff wants a balance on personal tech like cell phones in schools, which are useful but distracting. Sookochoff says provincial policy is weakened by the time it reaches classrooms, leaving teachers to enforce it. Sookochoff says AI adds to the challenge and wishes it would find a place where it belongs and is useful.

I'd sure like to see some sort of balance achieved around tech, personal tech in the schools. It's a huge distraction

Rogers tv panel, 1:48:17 into the video. Watch this answer

On the issues

Quotes are copied word for word from public sources. Each one links back to where it was said.

Why I'm running

All topics

Sean Sookochoff

Sean Sookochoff is a professional educator, active volunteer firefighter, and local parent running for Central Okanagan School Trustee (SD23).

District of Lake Country candidate profile. Read the full statement: Sookochoff, District of Lake Country candidate profile

As your School Trustee, Sean brings a unique mix of classroom-tested experience, parent perspective, and practical leadership to ensure SD23 resources directly serve students, teachers, and the Lake Country community.

District of Lake Country candidate profile. Read the full statement: Sookochoff, District of Lake Country candidate profile

Asked At the end of your four-year term, what measurable results would you want Lake Country residents to use when evaluating your performance as their School Trustee?

I am driven by a responsibility to leave every role and institution in better shape than I found it. Community feedback will be my barometer.

Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A, October 2, 2026. Read the full answer: Sookochoff, Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A

Schools and students

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Sean Sookochoff

Asked Lake Country continues to experience population growth. How would you advocate for school capacity, facilities and infrastructure to keep pace with current and future enrolment?

I will advocate for a new elementary school location best serves the community. The location will depend on available options but inevitably, the cost of the land will likely weigh heavily on this decision.

Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A, October 2, 2026. Read the full answer: Sookochoff, Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A

Asked What steps should SD23 take to ensure students are achieving strong outcomes in core areas such as literacy, mathematics, science and technology?

Primarily, I want to see classroom conditions to be the best in the district. I will consult with parents, students and district staff to identify area target areas and promote learner centered adjustments where needed.

Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A, October 2, 2026. Read the full answer: Sookochoff, Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A

Asked How would you support skilled trades, technology, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and other career-focused programs that better prepare students for employment after graduation?

I will weigh the cost benefit of partnered programs and support the ones that benefit Lake Country students. In school elective programs will stay forever.

Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A, October 2, 2026. Read the full answer: Sookochoff, Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A

Taxes and spending

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Sean Sookochoff

Asked How would you balance the need for new programs and services with responsible management of the School District's budget and taxpayer-funded resources?

I would weigh the costs and benefits, consult with interested parties and cast my endorsement in the direction that makes the most sense.

Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A, October 2, 2026. Read the full answer: Sookochoff, Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A

Asked What are the three most important priorities you would pursue as School Trustee for Lake Country over the next four years?

Fiscal oversight on capital projects, annual budgets and maintenance projects.

Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A, October 2, 2026. Read the full answer: Sookochoff, Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A

Asked Lake Country continues to experience population growth. How would you advocate for school capacity, facilities and infrastructure to keep pace with current and future enrolment?

A school with a lake view will cost more. A school built on the cheapest land will download transportation challenges onto parents.

Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A, October 2, 2026. Read the full answer: Sookochoff, Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A

Safety, fire and emergencies

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Sean Sookochoff

Asked What actions would you support to improve student safety, well-being and the learning environment in Lake Country schools?

Learning conditions are closely tied to class size. In cases where class size or composition make the learning environment unmanageable, I want to see immediate adjustments to restore balance.

Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A, October 2, 2026. Read the full answer: Sookochoff, Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A

Asked What are the three most important priorities you would pursue as School Trustee for Lake Country over the next four years?

Safe and Healthy Schools. Maintain Positive, learner focused environments where students are provided with opportunities to thrive.

Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A, October 2, 2026. Read the full answer: Sookochoff, Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A

Asked What role should local businesses and employers play in providing students with work experience, apprenticeships, mentorship and exposure to career opportunities?

SD23 has an established set of criteria that both students and employers need to meet. This is to maintain safe environment for students, whom are not yet part of the adult labor force.

Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A, October 2, 2026. Read the full answer: Sookochoff, Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A

Transparency and how council works

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Sean Sookochoff

Asked What are the three most important priorities you would pursue as School Trustee for Lake Country over the next four years?

Ensure school board governance is informed by today's classroom realities.

Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A, October 2, 2026. Read the full answer: Sookochoff, Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A

Asked What would you do to improve communication, transparency and meaningful engagement between the School Board, parents, students, educators and the wider Lake Country community?

I am a good listener. I will listen.

Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A, October 2, 2026. Read the full answer: Sookochoff, Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A

Asked How would you ensure that the specific needs and concerns of Lake Country students, parents, educators and schools are effectively represented when decisions are made by the broader SD23 Board?

Email me, call me, let’s talk.

Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A, October 2, 2026. Read the full answer: Sookochoff, Lake Country Chamber of Commerce candidate Q&A