New Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows school trustees sworn in

School District 42’s (SD42) newly elected board was sworn in at its first meeting after the municipal election on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The board also elected its chair and vice-chair, each for a one-year term.

Three returning trustees—Elaine Yamamoto, Mike Murray and Pascale Shaw—and four newcomers—Terra Slade, Jacquie Montgomery, Mark Bailey and Trudi Appleton—were elected to represent schools across Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

Murray nominated Yamamoto to remain chair. She was the only nominee and accepted the position, which she has held for the past four years. She thanked the board for its trust and said it would continue pressing the provincial government for the funding needed to ensure schools have adequate resources. She also said she would work with district staff on practical, innovative ways to strengthen student learning, with a particular focus on literacy and numeracy.

Yamamoto thanked former board colleagues for their work. She became emotional while thanking former Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare, who was in the audience, for her support of the school district.

Slade nominated Appleton as vice-chair. Appleton was the only nominee. She thanked the board and said she looked forward to working with its members. She said the board’s work is about helping students thrive and promised to listen, learn and make thoughtful decisions, keeping students at the centre of its work.

Each trustee had an opportunity to speak. Bailey said he would approach his new role with integrity, transparency and accountability. Montgomery thanked the community for trusting her to represent it, students and families. Murray thanked the previous board, saying it had left a strong legacy for the new board to build on. He also thanked staff and everyone gathered, saying each had an important role in supporting students’ success. “Everyone here is here because they believe so strongly in that,” he said.

Shaw said she was honoured to help improve education for children, families and staff who choose education as a profession. Slade said she would approach the next four years with an open mind and a willingness to listen, and encouraged people to ask questions. “Most importantly, I’ll never forget who we are here for, our students,” she said.

Yamamoto said the newly elected trustees had spent only one day together so far and that she felt very good about the group around the table.