Tanya Coghill Announces Candidacy for Abbotsford School Trustee Byelection

Tanya Coghill, a dedicated volunteer in the Abbotsford School District, has declared her candidacy for the upcoming school trustee byelection. Her announcement, made public on September 7, comes as she seeks to leverage her extensive experience to address pressing challenges within the local education system.

Coghill has been an active participant in the Abbotsford community since 2007, taking on various roles that reflect her commitment to enhancing educational experiences for students. She previously served as a director on the Abbotsford School District Parent Advisory Council (PAC) and has mentored numerous PACs both within and outside the Abbotsford region. Her recognition as the 2023 Abbotsford Board of Education Community Matters Award winner further underscores her significant contributions.

Experience and Vision for the Future

In her press release, Coghill emphasized that her background in local education equips her well for the role of school trustee. “I’ve been very involved in sharing the board’s strategic plans and the district budget with the school planning councils and PACs that I either represented over the years or am mentoring now,” she stated. Coghill highlighted the financial obstacles faced by both individual schools and the district as a whole.

“We are facing more than budget challenges,” she continued. “Other factors including staffing shortages, catchment issues, and losing key roles like PE specialists in the middle schools or not having daytime custodial at the elementary level, are making things difficult for our administrators, teachers, and support staff.”

Coghill’s candidacy is backed by Winsome Rauch, the wife of current trustee Mike Rauch, who nominated her for the position. Coghill’s philosophy of “serving with joy” has guided her volunteer work and reflects her belief in fostering a positive educational environment. “I thought we needed a model that showcases why we were doing what we’re doing,” she explained. “If we’re going to give joy to someone else or get joy ourselves out of doing whatever we’re doing, then it fit the bill for what we wanted to do.”

Commitment to Inclusivity and Equity

Coghill’s influence has extended to various local schools, including Sandy Hill Elementary, Clayburn Middle School, and Robert Bateman Secondary, where she introduced her joy-centered model. She noted that many of her ideas have been adopted by other schools, emphasizing the connection between staff morale and student success. “A happy staff means happy students,” she stated.

In addition to her advocacy for positive school culture, Coghill played a key role in establishing Irene Kelleher Totíltawtxw, which opened its doors in 2022. She also spearheaded initiatives promoting gender equity in athletics, academics, and extracurricular activities for secondary school PACs in 2022 and 2023, ensuring equal opportunities for girls.

The byelection is scheduled for October 11, 2023. Coghill will compete against previously declared candidates Arsh Kaler, Benjamin Mehrer, and Graeme Hutchison. For further details on her campaign, interested individuals can visit her website.

As the election date approaches, Coghill’s commitment to collaboration with district management, students, parents, and staff will be pivotal in her campaign to rebuild a positive educational culture in Abbotsford.