Elaine Yamamoto seeks a third term as a Maple Ridge school trustee

Elaine Yamamoto is seeking a third term on the Maple Ridge school board. She has been elected board chair for the past four years. Four of the seven incumbent trustees are not running for re-election, and Yamamoto says experience, continuity and collaborative leadership will matter as the board changes.

Yamamoto says she believes in a strong, inclusive public education system that responds to a diverse community of learners and helps every learner reach their potential and grow into a compassionate, respectful and responsible member of society. Her priorities include improving literacy and numeracy assessment and outcomes; strengthening safety, care and belonging; setting guidelines for artificial intelligence and technology use; careful fiscal management; and reducing overcrowding in Silver Valley with a new school.

During her current term as chair, Yamamoto represented the board in local collective bargaining with the Maple Ridge Teachers’ Association. She also served on the provincial English Language Learner Consortium advocacy group and the Indigenous Education Council, and attended numerous District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) meetings. She said she guided the board through two challenging budget cycles, with difficult decisions informed by expanded opportunities for input from the public and education partners.

Yamamoto said public education is at a critical time and needs strong advocacy for increased funding and resources, a continued commitment to quality and inclusive education, and thoughtful leadership as the system navigates the inevitable effects of AI and emerging technologies. Experience and knowledge will be particularly valuable, she said, as the new board’s first major task will be to develop the district’s strategic plan for the next four years.

Education is also central to Yamamoto’s community work. She is the Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Katzie Community Literacy Outreach Coordinator, advocating for adult education, including access to high school graduation programmes in B.C. correctional centres, where many people have not completed high school. Her latest submission was included in the BC Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services’ Budget 2027 Report. Yamamoto said she will continue advocating for education in provincial correctional centres so incarcerated learners have the supports they need to work toward graduation.

She also coordinates free English-language learning opportunities for adults. As coordinator of the Hive Neighbourhood Centre at Eric Langton Elementary, she has organized nearly 30 children’s clothing and book freecycles, helping local families access essential items and build community connections.

Yamamoto said she brings a strong background in governance, policy and responsible stewardship of public resources, with a commitment to informed, student-centred decisions. She hopes Maple Ridge voters will trust her to continue the work, build on progress made together and keep moving the public education system forward.

There are five Maple Ridge school trustee positions and two for Pitt Meadows. Municipal election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.