Lex MacArthur Enters 2026 Lakehead Public School Board Trustee Race
THUNDER BAY — Lex MacArthur has entered the 2026 race for trustee with the Lakehead District School Board, campaigning on a platform centred on advocacy, accountability, access and ambition.
MacArthur, an accountant with nearly 20 years of professional experience and more than three decades of involvement in youth sports and community organizations, says he wants to bring financial oversight, community governance experience and a focus on student opportunity to the board table.
The City of Thunder Bay lists MacArthur among those who have filed nomination papers for English public school board trustee. Nominations close at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, with the city clerk scheduled to certify candidates by Aug. 24. Election day is Monday, Oct. 26.
MacArthur Campaign Built Around Four ‘A’s
MacArthur is presenting his campaign around four principles he describes as a governing philosophy for his approach to public education:
- Advocacy — representing students, families and schools;
- Accountability — providing disciplined, transparent and responsible stewardship;
- Access — ensuring students can reach the opportunities, supports, programs and pathways they need; and
- Ambition — supporting a stronger, innovative and future-focused public education system.
“The 4 A platform represents a governing philosophy: advocate for students and families, be accountable for the decisions we make, expand access to opportunity, and have the ambition to build the future for Lakehead Public Schools following the 2025-29 Education Strategic Plan,” MacArthur said in announcing his campaign.
The Lakehead District School Board’s current strategic plan runs from 2025 to 2029 and is organized around three existing board priorities: Belong, Succeed and Reconcile.
Financial Experience Part of Campaign Pitch
MacArthur says his professional accounting career has focused on financial management, organizational decision-making and accountability.
That experience could be particularly relevant to the governance role of a school board trustee.
Lakehead District School Board says trustees are responsible for areas including the board’s multi-year strategic plan, setting the budget within provincial funding requirements, monitoring student achievement, overseeing board policies and holding the education system accountable through the director of education.
The board approved a balanced $181.7-million operating and capital budget for 2026-27 in June, with spending priorities tied to student success, well-being and reconciliation.
MacArthur argues his financial background would provide a complementary perspective when trustees are considering those types of spending and governance decisions.
Experience With Disability Services and Accessibility
Earlier in his career, MacArthur worked directly with people with developmental disabilities.
He says the experience gave him firsthand knowledge of inclusion and accessibility and of the importance of ensuring people have the support needed to reach their potential.
Access is one of the four central themes of his trustee campaign.
For school boards, the issue extends from special education and classroom supports to transportation, extracurricular opportunities, mental-health services, technology and ensuring students facing barriers can participate fully in public education.
Lakehead’s strategic plan similarly identifies equitable opportunities and support for students and staff facing systemic barriers as part of its commitment to creating educational environments where everyone belongs.
More Than 30 Years in Youth Sports
MacArthur also points to more than three decades of volunteer involvement as a youth sports coach and executive.
That includes four years as president of the Westfort Hockey Association.
During his time with the association, MacArthur says he placed an emphasis on identifying and developing future volunteer leaders.
He was also involved in efforts to merge minor hockey organizations, with the goal of reducing organizational duplication and improving efficiency.
MacArthur says that experience strengthened his understanding of community leadership, volunteer development and the challenge of balancing organizational resources with the needs of young people and families.
Community Governance Experience
MacArthur has also served on the Community Living Thunder Bay Rights Committee and recently joined the board of the Children’s Aid Foundation.
He says that combination of financial expertise, advocacy work, youth leadership and community governance would bring a different perspective to the Lakehead board.
Trustees are elected to govern the school system rather than manage individual schools on a day-to-day basis. Their responsibilities include establishing policy, approving budgets, setting strategic direction and ensuring the director of education and administration are delivering on board priorities.
Public Education Facing Significant Decisions
The next Lakehead District School Board will take office as public education continues to face pressures involving enrolment, classroom resources, special education, student mental health, school infrastructure and provincial funding.
Trustees will also be responsible for monitoring implementation of the board’s 2025-29 Education Strategic Plan.
That plan establishes Belong, Succeed and Reconcile as its central pillars and calls for equitable and inclusive educational environments, strong expectations for student achievement and continued work toward reconciliation.
For voters, the campaign provides an opportunity to ask trustee candidates how they would translate broad commitments such as accountability and access into decisions on budgets, programming and student services.
MacArthur says his four-pillar approach is intended to provide that framework.
Nomination Deadline Arrives Friday
MacArthur has filed nomination papers, but under Ontario’s municipal election process the people currently listed by the City of Thunder Bay are not yet officially certified candidates.
The city clerk must examine each nomination and certify eligible candidates by 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24.
The nomination period closes at 2 p.m. Aug. 21, and candidates have until that same deadline to withdraw their nominations.
Thunder Bay voters will elect eight English public school board trustees in the Oct. 26 municipal and school board election.
As the field becomes final, NetNewsLedger’s Civic Election 2026 coverage will continue examining the backgrounds, priorities and policy positions of candidates seeking seats at municipal and school board tables.
