Abbotsford School Trustee Candidates Share Views at Meeting

Three of the four candidates running in the Abbotsford school trustee byelection participated in an all-candidates meeting on September 18, 2023, held at the Abbotsford Arts Centre. The event, which drew a crowd of about 50 people, included a series of questions curated by the District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC). Despite the opportunity to engage with the community, no candidate emerged as a clear standout during the 90-minute session.

Candidate Tanya Coghill, a longtime volunteer with the Abbotsford School District and recipient of the 2023 Community Matters Award, declared her candidacy on September 7. Arsh Kaler, a lifelong resident and youth advocate, was the first to announce his candidacy on July 30. Benjamin Mehrer, a graduate of the University of the Fraser Valley and community advocate, followed on August 1. Graeme Hutchison, unable to attend due to prior commitments, is a former teacher and professor who previously ran as a candidate for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the last provincial election.

The candidates tackled a variety of questions, starting with how they would engage families in significant decision-making processes. All three emphasized the importance of ongoing communication between parents and school staff as essential to fostering involvement.

Bussing also became a key topic, with Kaler and Mehrer suggesting that advocating for additional funding from the provincial government would be beneficial. Coghill proposed exploring a user-paid system as a potential solution for the district.

Safety concerns arose regarding Abbotsford Traditional School, particularly in light of a proposed supportive housing project nearby. Coghill expressed a lack of transparency regarding the project and encouraged community members to contact their representatives. Kaler and Mehrer sympathized with community concerns and suggested partnering with the Abbotsford Police Department to ensure student safety.

When asked which educational programs they would prioritize in budget discussions, the candidates struggled to provide clear, direct answers. Kaler stated, “I will always make sure that every dollar spent is in favour of children,” while Mehrer focused on the importance of ensuring that investments yield positive returns for students’ futures. Coghill pointed to the district’s strategic plan, emphasizing the need to protect literacy and numeracy programs, although she acknowledged that other exploratory classes may face cuts.

The discussion also covered mental health initiatives in schools. All candidates expressed strong support for mental health programs and advocated for equal access to all educational resources for students, including those from marginalized communities such as LGBTQ+ individuals and those with disabilities.

Conflict resolution among trustees was highlighted as a pertinent issue, especially following recent disciplinary actions against trustees Mike Rauch and Jared White for breaching the code of ethics. Each candidate reiterated the importance of collaboration and prioritizing student welfare over personal disagreements. Mehrer noted, “It’s important that today, especially in education, the students are the focus and not all the noise and politics behind it.” Coghill mentioned her experience with parent groups, which she believes would aid in navigating conflicts.

The meeting also touched on recreational facilities in Abbotsford, where candidates discussed how students could benefit from increased access to local fields and gyms. Both Coghill and Kaler expressed optimism about upcoming projects, while Mehrer pointed out that Abbotsford currently lags behind other communities in available recreational spaces.

The session concluded with closing statements from all candidates, with DPAC president Winsome Rauch reading remarks on behalf of Hutchison. Notably, no further all-candidates meetings are scheduled ahead of the byelection, which was necessitated by changes to the Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act, enacted in May. This legislation mandates that Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) cannot hold local elected office after being elected to the legislature. As a result, Korky Neufeld was required to resign from his position on the school board.

Advance voting for the byelection will take place on October 1 and October 4, with general voting set for October 11, 2023. Polling stations will be open from 08:00 to 20:00 on all three days.