A quick look at the five candidates vying for the school board seat in Saturday’s byelection

Voters will have their pick of five candidates when they go to the polls to choose the next Coquitlam school board trustee.

The winning candidate is scheduled to stay on the board until November 2026, filling the seat vacated by newly-elected Coquitlam-Maillardville MLA Jennifer Blatherwick.

The candidates are: Frank Do, Dana Ebtekar, Candace Knoll, Rosey Manhas and Nash Milani.

Frank Do

A graduate of Centennial Secondary, Do achieved a master’s degree in public administration and co-founded an educational centre that connected students with tutors and mentors.

His platform addresses a range of issues including opioid use among youth, gang activity and vandalism, as well as teacher recruitment.

Addressing the use of illicit drugs among youth, Do pledged to advocate for an end to B.C.’s safer supply program.

“The current model has unintentionally created a market where individuals prescribed these substances are now acting as dealers to students,” Do stated.

The candidate also supported acknowledging opioid use to: “remove stigma and enable public education.”

To deal with vandalism and gang activity, Do supported having police serve as school liaison officers.

Those officers, “can build relationships with students and address gang-related concerns,” he wrote.

Strategically placed surveillance systems could also be used to deter vandalism and provide evidence when incidents occur, according to Do.

Promoting after-school programs and community outreach programs could also help: “give students a sense of belonging and keep them engaged in positive activities during critical hours,” Do wrote.

Do pledged to make the administration supportive of teachers by managing teacher workload.

A few areas of key concern listed by Do include: replacing Hazel Trembath, supporting the diverse student population, and assuaging declining academic performance.

“Part of being a trustee is acting as a bridge between the community and the education system,” Do wrote.

Click here to visit Do’s website.

Dana Ebtekar

A Surrey high school teacher, Ebtekar serves as the SOGI lead at his school.

If elected, Ebtekar pledged to donate 50 percent of his trustee salary to district schools.

“I do not believe it is justifiable for Trustees in SD43 to receive salaries higher than those in other school districts including larger districts such as Surrey,” he wrote.

In the 2023/24 school year, School District #43 trustees were paid $58,115.

Describing teachers as “overloaded,” Ebtekar supported better pay for education assistants, a role many teachers view as having been “de-professionalized.”

“Our EAs should be recognized for the vital work they do by being compensated at a rate that reflects the important contributions they make in supporting our most vulnerable students,” he wrote.

If elected, Ebtekar pledged to pressure the province to boost pay and improve working conditions to help recruit qualified teachers.

“It is currently common to see teachers on leave with no one to fill their positions, job postings left unfilled for extended periods, or school districts hiring unqualified teachers to meet staffing needs,” he wrote.

He also noted his work as the track and field coordinator for the Surrey Secondary School Athletics Association and five years spent as a special education teacher.

“I believe that having the perspective of an educator on the School Board would offer valuable insight into how proposed policies can impact our classrooms,” he wrote.

Click here to visit Ebtekar’s website.

Candace Knoll

A United Steelworkers member and longtime Telus employee, Knoll also served on the board of the New Westminster & District Labour Council and was a director with the Hogan’s Alley Society.

As a trustee, Knoll listed priorities including the mental health of students, student hunger, the celebration of cultural diversity, and the rebuild of Hazel Trembath.

“The daily commute and being bused out of catchment, causes additional stress, and pressure on the students and their families,” her campaign website stated.

Knoll would also favour a “manageable study load” for students, noting that “academic overload can hinder students’ well-being.”

The success of a student is linked to both mental health and a balanced approach to learning, according to Knoll.

If elected, Knoll would advocate for counselling and stress management resources for students.

Hunger is a barrier to learning, Knoll contended. She promised to advocate for quality lunch programs to: “guarantee all students have access to healthy food options.”

Knoll would support a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, including online activities and stereotyping behaviour.

Knoll achieved certifications in restorative justice and community capacity building from Simon Fraser University.

If elected, she would, “prioritize programs that connect schools with community resources,” according to her website.

Knoll pledged to focus on the promotion of equity and the celebration of cultural diversity as a trustee.

“A truly inclusive community values the diverse backgrounds of its members and incorporates these perspectives into the educational experience,” her website stated.

Knoll is the founder of the Jr. Black Awards Achievement society, which is meant to: “empower Black Youth and their families through training recognition and access to education.”

Click here to see Knoll’s website.

Rosey Manhas

The current president of the District Parent Advisory Council, Manhas cited the promotion of equity and inclusivity as being: “at the heart of my work.”

To keep students safe, Manhas said she would prioritize resourcing counsellors, promoting anti-bullying campaigns, and supporting extracurricular activities.

Creating new before- and after-school care spaces is also a key part of Manhas’ platform.

She also pledged to work with municipalities and the province to: “ensure new schools have adequate parks and playgrounds the whole community can enjoy.”

Manhas promised to hold the province “accountable” for new schools in the district.

“With the district’s growing student population, it is essential to advocate for the expansion of our schools and classrooms to meet the needs of every child,” she stated. “Having lived in Burke Mountain for the past 15 years, I have actively participated in the development of our schools and understand the ongoing need for additional space and resources to support student success.”

Ensuring parents are informed and engaged in decisions regarding their children’s education will be a top priority, Manhas stated.

“Students and families deserve to feel safe, supported, and valued within our public education system.”

Click here to see Manhas’ website.

Nash Milani

Milani, 26, touted the importance of being a voice for youth.

“Currently, on school boards across the country, there is a stark lack of representation for the school-age demographics,” he stated. “Young people often feel disenfranchised by a lack of opportunities to provide input and don’t believe they’re being heard or valued. This can lead to further disconnect from the community.”

Milani emphasized the need to combat the use of artificial intelligence in schools.

“Unfortunately we have already begun seeing the encroachment of AI in the school system, and this has to be combated proactively rather than retroactively. I strongly believe the best way to combat computers teaching our kids is to petition the provincial government for more money per student, along with smaller class sizes,” he stated.

Milani also favoured a stricter approach to the use of nicotine by students.

“We need to amend the student code of conduct to prohibit nicotine and vape products on school property with the same severity as the already banned drugs and alcohol,” he stated. “These products are not to be purchased by children, and it’s time we treat it the same way as any addictive substance.”

Milani touted the importance of teaching students American Sign Language to boost both their communication skills and job prospects.

“Many students are being forced to learn French even though they will never use it in their daily lives. Why not provide an option to learn ASL to gain a new life skill?” he asked.

Currently employed by the City of Burnaby as a recreation clerk, Milani served on Port Moody’s economic development committee and its transportation committee in 2020.

Click here to see Milani’s website.