Meet your Port Coquitlam school board candidates

Six have stepped forward but only two will be chosen.

Port Coquitlam voters will elect two trustees for the eight-member school board this October. Coquitlam voters will elect four trustees and Port Moody voters will elect two trustees.

Andrea Chambers

A longtime Port Coquitlam resident, Andrea Chambers is a mother of two children who went through School District #43.

In a campaign video, Chambers said she would like to see a focus on the basics: “learning, critical thinking, responsibility, communication, along with resilience and practical life skills.”

As a trustee, Chambers pledged to work collaboratively with the board while listening to students, families, educators and the community.

Sadie Harber

As a working mom with two young daughters, Sadie Harber has served as a volunteer for Port Coquitlam Children’s Services and sat on the board of a non-profit.

As a trustee, Harber pledged to: “Advocate for meaningful programs to be expanded throughout SD43, so that more children and youth across our public school system can access programs and opportunities that help them thrive.”

Harber also emphasized the importance of ensuring teachers have the materials and resources they need.

“Most importantly, I believe in showing up, listening, and working collaboratively to find solutions that benefit students, families, and the educators who support them every day,” she stated in her campaign announcement.

Christine Pollock

Incumbent Christine Pollock is running to continue the board’s work.

Her campaign priorities include hiring: “the best teachers, EA’s, counsellors, Youth workers and other support staff,” as well continuing the work of truth and reconciliation in the curriculum.

Pollock’s other priorities working cohesively with district staff superintendents and board members, and ensuring “needs are met for students with diverse learning styles and/or challenges.”

She currently chairs the board’s education foundation, providing grants for under-funded programs.

Julie Sherwood

Julie Sherwood, who is also running for Port Coquitlam city council, expressed a vision of the city as an: “inclusive, diverse and welcoming community.”

A bookkeeper, Sherwood stated her experience working with government organizations gave her: “practical experience with budgets, licensing, regulations, employees, financial management and advocating for a business to succeed,” she stated in her campaign literature.

Sherwood has also discussed the benefits of connecting generations, such as high school students conversing with seniors.

“These aren’t just volunteer hours,” she stated. “They are opportunities to build community.”

Michael Thomas

School board chair Michael Thomas is looking to keep his seat, running for re-election to continue his work in the district.

Having served three terms, Thomas, “helped guide the district through significant growth,” noting the rebuilding of several schools and “nearly tripling” the number of education assistants, according to his campaign announcement.

Thomas stated that he was “particularly proud” that he “navigated provincial resistance” and helped secure the money to rebuild Hazel Trembath.

“Serving our community as a School Trustee has been an honour,” Thomas stated. “We’ve made significant progress over the years, but there is still important work ahead.”

A father of three, Thomas is a technology professional and volunteer.

Blaire West

Former education assistant and mother of two Blaire West announced that she’s running to ensure students have opportunities to succeed.

“I want our schools to be places where kids feel safe and supported, where students who need extra help can get it, and where every child has the opportunity to discover their passion and pursue their potential,” she stated in her campaign announcement.

West stated that her experience as an education assistant gave her an appreciation for teachers and school staff.

“For me, every decision should come back to one simple question: Is this making things better for our kids?”