Six school council elections in Yukon today

Elections are being held today for six school councils in the Yukon today.

One of the most hard fought will be at Vanier Catholic Secondary School in Whitehorse, where 13 people are vying for five council positions.

The school was under scrutiny last year because of a controversy over homosexual students.

Porter Creek Secondary School is the only other Whitehorse school where there is an election.

Other communities with elections are Carmacks, Faro, Haines Junction and Pelly Crossing.

Even after elections,18 school councils will still have vacancies, including theWhitehorse Elementary School and Kluane Lake councils. Both of those councils have five vacant seats, and didn't get any nominations for today's election.

Mark Hill, with the education department, says in those cases, the new school council can recruit additional members.

They are permitted under the Education Act to then make recommendations to the minister who may choose to appoint those people or to hold a by-election, Hill says.

Polling stations are open at the six schools where the elections are being held from 3 until to 8 p.m tonight.

Voters must have lived in the school area for at least three months or be a parent of achild attending the school.

They must also be Canadian citizens who are at least 18 years old.

For complete information on the days school councilelections, visit Elections Yukons website.