Nine candidates are seeking four seats on the Coquitlam school board

Nine candidates are seeking four positions on the Coquitlam school board. Coquitlam voters will elect four of them; voters in Port Coquitlam and Port Moody will each choose two board members, and Anmore and Belcarra voters will jointly choose one trustee. Coquitlam incumbents Chuck Dennison, Craig Woods and Rosey Manhas are all running for re-election.

Michael Baumann, a post-secondary educator and education critic, says part of his reason for running is to help schools better prepare students for citizenship and the workforce. His platform lists four priorities: merit-based hiring and promotion; addressing the growing use of artificial intelligence; what he calls sensible spending and transparent decision-making; and tuition-free post-secondary education and training. Announcing his candidacy, Baumann said education is too important to be left to people with little experience and that society must think more rigorously about how to teach future generations. He holds a master of science degree from the University of Vienna and a PhD from the University of British Columbia. His work has included research in animal behaviour and psychology, teaching complex adaptive systems, university administration and a decade as director of a university career centre.

Chuck Dennison is seeking re-election, presenting himself as an advocate who can work with the province and partner groups to get results for students. His priorities include student mental health, responsible financial stewardship and collaboration with families. His campaign literature says he is running to ensure every student has a safe, supportive and inspiring place to learn. Dennison cited his years of experience in education, finance and community service.

Inclusion and interconnectedness are central to Rachel Drager’s campaign. In a candidate profile, she said meaningful progress comes when trustees actively and intentionally engage with students, families, educators and community members. She described herself as a dedicated listener who takes time to meet people where they are. Drager also cited her work during an Every Child Matters initiative and her encouragement of students and staff to explore local artists’ work and reflect on a shared responsibility to understand and respect one another.

Dana Ebtekar, a high school science teacher and SOGI sponsor, has five campaign priorities, including advocating for increased provincial per-student funding. On his campaign website, he said he would work with parents, staff, community members and other districts to press the provincial government for more education funding, bringing more resources into classrooms to help students learn. He also stressed preparing students for a future with artificial intelligence and advocating for schools to be built faster. With classrooms becoming “unbearably hot” as climate change affects them, he called for air conditioning so students can learn comfortably and safely. Ebtekar previously served on Coquitlam’s Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee and now serves on its Culture Services Advisory Committee. He noted the relatively high pay of School District No. 43 trustees and pledged to cut his salary in half if elected, redirecting the money to resources urgently needed in classrooms.

Candace Knoll, a United Steelworkers member and longtime Telus employee, is calling for schools to be modernized and expanded to address overcrowding and reduce reliance on portables. On her campaign website, she said children deserve bright learning spaces full of potential and that she would advocate for the investments needed in every neighbourhood. She also said she would prioritize student supports and advocate for the province to reform funding formulas so mental health resources and language supports are consistent, reliable and available to all. Knoll has served on the board of the New Westminster & District Labour Council and as a director of the Hogan’s Alley Society. She earned certificates in restorative justice and community capacity building from Simon Fraser University.

Incumbent Rosey Manhas is running for re-election. She said she has worked throughout her time as a trustee to ensure every student feels supported, valued and empowered to succeed. Alongside her career in interventional radiology, she is the mother of two school-aged children and volunteers with the Coquitlam Foundation. Manhas said the district’s growing student population makes it essential to advocate for expanded schools and classrooms. She has lived in Burke Mountain for 15 years, participated in the development of its schools and understands the continued need for space and resources to support student success. Creating new before- and after-school care spaces was a key part of her previous platform.

Shreya Qazi, a parent of two school-aged children, said she is running to help the board navigate growing enrolment, student mental health needs and financial pressures. On her campaign website, she said she wants decisions to be thoughtful and transparent, and centred on what is best for students. Qazi has worked for Fraser Health and served as a director of the Port Coquitlam Community Foundation. She cited experience in community engagement, strategic planning and building partnerships across education and health care. Her priorities also include responsible budgeting and transparent financial decisions, reducing overcrowding, improving access to school-based mental health supports, and preventing bullying and discrimination.

Former PAC chair Natalie Wang is campaigning to bring her lived experience to the board. She said that as a mother of two, she understands what quality education requires: both her children attended School District No. 43 schools, and their experiences of success and struggle have shown her a broader picture of the district and the changes it still needs. Wang said the district does not have enough education assistants, counsellors, or speech and language support workers. She wants sustained investment in counsellors and youth workers, as well as school culture, so students can enter class feeling safe, seen and ready to learn. She said children deserve better support and parents deserve a real voice at the table.

Incumbent Craig Woods is back on the ballot, focusing on increased student support, keeping resources in classrooms and school board accountability. In a release announcing his candidacy, he said he was proud of the progress made over the past eight years and asked Coquitlam residents for the opportunity to continue serving the community with his experience. Woods cited his support for new schools and expansions at Burke Mountain and Scott Creek, and at Charles Best. He said experience matters when it produces results, pointing to significantly increased educational assistant support, efforts to keep more teachers connected to their school communities, and progress on important school construction and expansion projects. He said he was proud of that progress, while recognizing there is more work to do. Woods has also served as president of the school district parent advisory council and as chair of finance and audit on the school board.