Football coach and Maple Ridge father Mark Bailey seeks SD 42 school trustee seat

Football coach Mark Bailey, a former president of the Simon Fraser University Football Alumni, is seeking a school trustee seat in Maple Ridge’s SD 42. Bailey, who has lived in Maple Ridge for 12 years, is the father of a student in the district and says he has spent more than a decade volunteering in the community.

Bailey has identified six priorities for strengthening the district: literacy, numeracy, safety, career readiness, strong foundations and financial accountability. He supports evidence-informed literacy instruction across grades, early identification and support for students who need it, stronger foundational math skills and early intervention when students fall behind.

He also calls for safe, respectful and inclusive schools, effective responses to bullying, violence and serious disruptions, and stronger emergency preparedness and safety practices. Bailey says he would work with families and community partners to support student well-being.

On career preparation, he wants students to have greater exposure to the trades, apprenticeships and technical careers, along with stronger links to post-secondary institutions, employers and community partners. His platform also includes more career exploration and work-experience opportunities, as well as financial literacy, entrepreneurship and essential life skills.

Bailey says that, if elected, he would preserve programs that are working while addressing areas that need meaningful change. He has promised to support high-quality, evidence-informed instruction from kindergarten through graduation, direct public funds to priorities that improve learning, and plan for enrolment growth and future needs.

He says an effective trustee must listen to students, families, educators, staff and community members, including those with differing perspectives. General local elections are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17.