Meet the school trustee candidates in Coquitlam

Nine candidates are vying for four spots on the Coquitlam school board.

Coquitlam voters will elect four out of eight school trustees. Port Coquitlam and Port Moody voters will each pick two board members.

Coquitlam incumbents Chuck Dennison, Craig Woods, and Rosey Manhas are all running for re-election.

Michael Baumann

As a post-secondary educator and an education critic, Michael Baumann is running in part to ensure schools do a better job preparing students to be citizens and to enter the workforce.

Baumann’s platform identifies four priorities: merit-based hiring and promotion, addressing the growing use of artificial intelligence, what he describes as sensible spending and transparent decision-making, and tuition-free post-secondary education and training.

“Education is too important to be left to people with little experience,” Baumann said in announcing his candidacy. “We have to think more rigorously how we want to teach the generations to come. That’s why I am running.”

Baumann holds a master of science degree from the University of Vienna and a PhD from the University of British Columbia.

His career has included work as a researcher in animal behaviour and psychology, teaching complex adaptive systems and working in university administration. He also spent a decade as the director of a university career centre.

Chuck Denison

Positioning himself as a strong advocate capable of working with the province and partner groups “to get results for students,” Chuck Denison is running for re-election.

His priorities include student mental health, responsible financial stewardship, and collaboration with families.

Denison is running to ensure every students has a safe, supportive and inspiring place to learn, according to his campaign literature.

Denison cited his: “years of experience in education, finance and community service.”

Rachel Drager

Inclusion and interconnectedness are two key elements of Rachel Drager’s campaign.

“Meaningful progress happens when trustees actively and intentionally engage with students, families, educators, and community members,” Drager stated in a candidate profile.

Drager described herself as: “a dedicated listener who takes the time to meet people where they are.”

Drager noted her work during an Every Child Matters initiative as well as encouraging: “students and staff to explore the work of local artists and reflect on our shared responsibility to understand and respect one another.”

Dana Ebtekar

As a high school science teacher and SOGI sponsor, Dana Ebtekar has a campaign with five priorities including advocating for an increase in provincial per student funding.

“ I would work with parents, staff, community members and other districts to pressure the provincial government to increase the funding allocated to education so we can get more resources into the classroom and helping students learn,” he stated on his campaign website.

Ebtekar emphasized the need to prepare students for a future with artificial intelligence and to advocate for schools to be built faster.

As school classrooms increasingly become “unbearably hot due to climate change,” Ebtekar called for air conditioning to be installed to allow students to learn comfortably and safely.

Ebtekar previously served on Coquitlam’s Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee and now serves on the Culture Services Advisory Committee.

Noting the relatively high pay of School District #43 trustees, Ebtekar pledged, if elected, to cut his salary in half and: “redirect those funds towards resources our classrooms urgently need.”

Candace Knoll

A United Steelworkers member and longtime Telus employee, Knoll’s campaign emphasizes the need to modernize and expand schools to address overcrowding and reduce reliance on portables.

“Children deserve learning spaces that are as bright and full of potential as they are, and I will advocate for the investments needed to make that possible in every neighborhood,” she stated on her campaign site.

As a trustee, Knoll stated she would also prioritize supports for students.

“I believe every student deserves an equal opportunity to thrive, which means ensuring our classrooms have the specific resources needed for every type of learner,” she stated. “I will advocate for the province to reform funding formulas so that mental health resources and language supports are consistent, reliable, and available to all.”

Knoll also served on the board of the New Westminster & District Labour Council and was a director with the Hogan’s Alley Society. She achieved certifications in restorative justice and community capacity building from Simon Fraser University.

Rosey Manhas

Incumbent Rosey Manhas is running for re-election.

“Throughout my time as a trustee, I have worked to ensure that every student feels supported, valued, and empowered to succeed,” she stated.

Besides her career in interventional radiology, Manhas is the mother of two school-aged children and serves as a volunteer at the Coquitlam Foundation.

“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. 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,” she stated.

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

Shreya Qazi

As a parent of two school-age children, Shreya Qazi stated that she’s running to help the school board navigate the challenges of growing enrolment, student mental health needs, and financial pressures.

“I want to help ensure that decisions are thoughtful, transparent, and always centred on what is best for students,” she stated on her campaign website.

Having worked for Fraser Health and served as director of the Port Coquitlam Community Foundation, Qazi touted her experience in: “community engagement, strategic planning, and building partnerships across education and healthcare.”

Besides responsible budgeting and transparency in financial decisions, Qazi’s priorities include reducing overcrowding, improving access to school-based mental health supports, and preventing bullying and discrimination.

Natalie Wang

As a former PAC chair, Natalie Wang is campaigning to bring her lived experience to the school board.

“As a mother of two, I understand what quality education requires, because I’ve lived it. Both of my children attended schools in SD43, and over the years they’ve shared countless experiences with me. The successes and the struggles they went through, taken together, tell a larger story about our district and the changes it still needs to make,” she stated.

The school district doesn’t have enough education assistants, counsellors, or speech and language support workers, Wang stated.

“I want serious, sustained investment in counsellors, youth workers, and school culture so students can walk into class feeling safe, seen, and ready to learn,” she stated. “I’m running for school trustee because our kids deserve better support and parents deserve a real voice at the table,” she stated.

Craig Woods

Incumbent Craig Woods is back on the ballot with a campaign that focuses on: increased support for students, keeping resources in the classroom, and school board accountability.

“I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over the past eight years, and I’m asking Coquitlam residents for the opportunity to continue putting my experience to work for our community,” he stated in a release announcing his candidacy.

Woods noted his support for new schools and expansions at Burke Mountain, Scott Creek and Charles Best. 

“Experience matters when it produces results,” Woods stated. “We have significantly increased Educational Assistant support, found ways to keep more teachers connected to their school communities, and moved important school construction and expansion projects forward. I’m proud of that progress, but there is always more work to do.”

Woods has also served as presidents of the school district parent advisory council and worked as chair of finance and audit on the school board.