Big changes are ahead at School District No. 46’s (SD46) board of education. Of the 11 candidates who filed nomination papers at the close of the local government election nomination period, just one is a current trustee.
Five candidates are vying for the three trustee positions in the Lower Coast or Area 3, which includes the Town of Gibsons and Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) areas D, E and F.
Among those five is the board’s current vice chair, Pammila Ruth. Last election Ruth was the only rookie and was elected by acclamation. It was the role reversal, in part, that motivated her to run this time. “Knowing that I was going to be the only incumbent running, I felt that my knowledge base would be an asset to the board,” said Ruth.
Ruth said capital funding “is a huge issue,” pointing to crowded West Sechelt Elementary and Gibsons Elementary as examples of schools that either need to be rebuilt or expanded. “There are so many restrictions on how to get the capital and how to use the capital so we have to work on the government and get that money,” said Ruth.
Other Lower Coast nominees include Christopher August, Sue Girard and Charlene Penner.
Girard, who has worked in childcare, alternative education and youth counselling, said in a release that she wants to ensure “anti-bullying awareness and strategies are in place” and supports SOGI 123. She also wants to maintain “good classroom and boundary distribution,” and maintain Strong Start, Girl Power and World Map initiatives. Ensure that playing fields are “maintained in tip top shape for students and community,” is another priority outlined in the release.
Retired Canada Post mail carrier and local union president Charlene Penner has also entered the race in Area 3. She served as president of Jack and Jill Preschool and successfully lobbied for the expansion of a secondary school in 100 Mile House before moving to the Coast with her husband Hans Penner, a candidate for SCRD director for Roberts Creek.
Charlene Penner wants to increase the number of solar panels installed in schools, support nature education, “ensure proper inspection of materials before use on public school grounds” and “work toward an end to students and their families having to pay for supplies and educational trips,” among other priorities.
Stacia Leech announced her candidacy last week. Christopher August did not respond to Coast Reporter’s interview request by deadline.
A race is also slated for Area 1, Upper Coast, which includes Pender Harbour, Halfmoon Bay and portions of the Sechelt Indian Government District. Three candidates filed papers in the area, which will be represented by one trustee.
Those trustees are Samantha Haines, Darren Inkster and Kathryn Love.
First-time candidate Haines said she wants to “ensure parents and students from Halfmoon Bay to Egmont have a voice.” The mother of two said her priorities are “to ensure my kids have access to a good education in a safe environment. I work and live in Pender Harbour so I will be focusing on local issues making sure that we are not forgotten,” she said.
Inkster, former mayor of Sechelt and current councillor, has put his name in for councillor in Sechelt, in addition to running for school trustee. He said he decided to put his name in for trustee in the electoral area because he had been told on the morning of the deadline for filing that “no one had stepped up to represent children and their families at the school district trustee level in neighbouring Halfmoon Bay and Pender Harbour.”
“I have since been told two capable candidates filed on the last day so I may concentrate on Sechelt council and continue to work even harder for the people of Sechelt only,” wrote Inkster in an email.
Coast Reporter was unable to reach Love by deadline.
Acclamations are likely in Area 2, Central Coast, where Amanda Amaral, Maria Hampvent and Tonya Ste. Marie all announced their candidacy early September.
The electoral area boundaries for trustees were redrawn earlier this year. Boundary details can be found at www.sd46.bc.ca. Voting day is Oct. 20.
