Electoral Area 1 (upper Coast) Trustee Samantha Haines of School District 46 has officially resigned from her position.
Haines was acclaimed in the last election and sworn into office on Nov 8, 2022. Earlier this year, she moved out of province and has attended school district meetings online.
In their regular board meeting on Sept 13, School District 46 board members took a moment to acknowledge trustee Haines’ resignation, effective at the end of the meeting.
“So I want to thank trustee Haynes for her five years of service and contributions to the work of the board and the Sunshine Coast school district and the whole Sunshine Coast community," said a school board representative.” “You will be missed and we hope that you are settling well on the East Coast. I wish you well.”
Haines responded, “It's just been an honour and a privilege to serve on this board with you all and I'm going to miss you all. The Sunshine Coast will always be my home. So thank you all for being here and I love you.”
A by-election will be held to fill Haines position representing Trustee Electoral Area 1 (TEA 1). TEA 1 is comprised of Electoral Areas A and B of the Sunshine Coast Regional District and shíshálh Nation Government District lands 6, 6A, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12A, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 19A, 20, 20A, 21, 21A, 22, 24, 25, 26 and 27.
In the next 30 days, the board will appoint a chief elections officer to lead the by-election process.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.