The Oct. 15 municipal election saw Richmond voters select seven school board trustees. Those elected representatives were invited to share some of their thoughts and hopes for the next four years.

ROD BELLEZA, SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE

What is your favourite thing about living in Richmond?

The diverse makeup of the city and the many cultural splendours that the city has to offer.

What is your favourite place in the city?

Steveston Village up to Garry Point where you can see the river and the sea.

What excites you the most about being elected as a school board trustee for the next four years?

To be given the opportunity to serve for my third term as trustee of the Richmond Board of Education. 

Are there any elements of current policy that you would like to see changed?

I would like to review the policies regarding school closure, surplus lands, and other district properties and make some changes if necessary. 

What proposals do you hope to bring forward?

(Firstly), a long-term plan to address declining enrollment and how to utilize our available surplus lands and other district properties for affordable rental housing and/or daycare services. (Secondly), to establish a District Intercultural Advisory Committee to advise the board on intercultural issues to promote peace and harmony in our community. 

What is one thing you feel you can offer Richmond in your role?

As a former two-term school trustee, I feel that I can offer experience and leadership in matters of good governance, financial management, and board accountability.

KEN HAMAGUCHI, SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE

What is your favourite thing about living in Richmond?

I like the people and the feeling of belonging to a pretty wonderful community.

What is one thing you feel you can offer Richmond in your role?

I like Steveston, as we spend a lot of our time walking our dog down the boardwalk and visiting the many excellent restaurants.

What excites you the most about being elected to continue as a school board trustee for the next four years?

We accomplished a great deal in the past four years. We started our Sexual Orientation and  Gender Identity (SOGI) Advisory Committee, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and our Diversity and Anti-Racism Working Group. We successfully lobbied the government to seismically upgrade our schools—although there is still much more work to do. We allocated 12 million dollars to upgrade ventilation in classrooms. Most importantly, we completed our Strategic Plan with all our stakeholders. The Strategic Plan will lay the foundation and provide direction for all the things we need to accomplish over the next four to five years.

Are there any elements of current policy that you would like to see changed?

Nothing major. However, policies always need to be re-evaluated and tweaked as necessary.

What is one thing you feel you can offer Richmond in your role?

Our Strategic Plan has plenty of proposals, projects, etc. for us to work on. Overall, I want to make sure that our schools are doing the best possible job of preparing our students for when they graduate. At the very least, I want them to have the skills to survive out there, but more than that, I want them to excel in their areas of interest, be successful in whatever ventures they take on, and most importantly be happy.

How do you hope to build on your work with the previous board over the next four years?

Since I have been on the board for the past eight years, I don’t think there will be any transition issues. However, I do look forward to working with the new and returning trustees.

What is one thing you feel you can offer Richmond in your role?

I am a problem solver. I’ve done this for years as a behaviour consultant working with individuals with challenging behaviours and a community sports volunteer and administrator dealing with players, parents, and coaches with challenging behaviours.

HEATHER LARSON, SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE

What is your favourite thing about living in Richmond?

Diversity; I have the opportunity to learn about and celebrate the culture of individuals from around the world and right here in my neighbourhood. The languages, food, traditions, etc.

What is your favourite place in the city?

River Road along the south dike. I enjoy being near the river during a storm—it tells a story.

What excites you the most about being elected to continue as a school board trustee for the next four years?

Having four years under my belt, I find myself understanding more about not only the role of trustee but how things work both district- and province-wide.

Are there any elements of current policy that you would like to see changed?

We are in a good place to work on our policies and update them accordingly. We live in an ever-changing world. How we teach, learn, manage, and fund is always evolving. 

What proposals do you hope to bring forward?

There are many ways we can build on the foundation we have created with our Strategic Plan, Long Range Facilities Plan, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Advisory Committee, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. 

How do you hope to build on your work with the previous board over the next four years?

We rely heavily on working together with our stakeholder partners (families, students, all staff and employee representatives, etc.). Their input is critical to the decision-making process. It is essential to continue building on the relationships which will lead to trust.

What is one thing you feel you can offer Richmond in your role?

Having been an employee in three separate roles over 19 years in the district, I bring a voice to the table that provides a distinct perspective and understanding that is valuable to decision-making.

DONNA SARGENT, SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE

What is your favourite thing about living in Richmond?

Richmond is a beautiful, safe, and caring city surrounded by water. There are many wonderful places to walk and play. Its cultural diversity is wonderful to me and I am so happy to have raised our two children here. Richmond is our home.

What is your favourite place in the city?

Steveston Village. I live near the village, so it is nice to go have lunch, dinner, or coffee and walk around the village. My personal favourite: fish and chips. 

What excites you the most about being elected to continue as a school board trustee for the next four years?

During COVID we did not visit schools, attend events, etc. I am very excited about being deeply engaged again with our schools and the community. Our strength in Richmond is that we work in an authentic, collaborative way and I am excited to be together with everyone again. I am also very involved in our Provincial Trustees Association, and I look forward to continuing that work.

Are there any elements of current policy that you would like to see changed?

We have been working on all our policies, bringing them up to date, and ensuring they are reflective of our strategic plan.

What proposals do you hope to bring forward?

Nothing I am bringing forward at this time. 

How do you hope to build on your work with the previous board over the next four years?

A lot of great work has begun and I am really looking forward to continuing that work on our Strategic Plan, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan, Long Range Facilities Plan, and Climate Action Plan. I am very excited to continue the work on truth and reconciliation in a deep, inclusive way.

What is one thing you feel you can offer Richmond in your role?

I am looking forward to working with the new board and I feel my knowledge, experience, and passion can be an asset on the team. 

DEBBIE TABLOTNEY, SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE

What is your favourite thing about living in Richmond?

Amenities such as parks, walking trails, green spaces, and accessible school playgrounds.

What is your favourite place in the city?

McDonald Beach—I enjoy taking my dogs there.

What excites you the most about being elected to continue as a school board trustee for the next four years?

The board’s Strategic Plan, approved in 2020, has three years of goals remaining. The work has been amazing, but there is so much more to do as a board. The goals/objectives of the plan will make our school district a great place for our students and staff to achieve their individual and career goals, no matter what they are.

Are there any elements of current policy that you would like to see changed?

The district and its policy committee are always updating policies to current standards and practices. There are many policy recommendations from the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion report coming forward through our policy process over the next four years.

What proposals do you hope to bring forward?

Naloxone administration training for staff and students in schools to increase safety against accidental drug overdoses.

How do you hope to build on your work with the previous board over the next four years?

The last board did extensive planning to secure safe and efficient facilities. It is important to move forward on the board’s Long Range Facilities Plan and toward public consultation on the recommendations contained within.

What is one thing you feel you can offer Richmond in your role?

My experience—this will be my sixth term serving 18 years currently. I have served on every committee including board chair and vice-chair. This experience leaves me well equipped to serve the district for the next four years. I’m excited to work with returning and new trustees. 

ALICE WONG, SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE

What is your favourite thing about living in Richmond? 

Richmond is a multicultural city. I would like to join and learn the different cultures at community events. I like to try their special traditional foods and buy their unique handmade crafts. 

What is your favourite place in the city? 

I always go to Richmond City Centre— restaurants, supermarkets, and shopping malls all around. I can walk anywhere without driving, (convenient) for eating and shopping. 

What excites you the most about being elected as a school board trustee for the next four years?

• Advocating for funding and resources for public education 

• Improving student achievement and well-being 

• Participating in decision-making that benefits all learners 

• Setting plans and policies 

• Approval for annual budget and Capital Plan 

• Bridging community involvement in education 

Are there any elements of current policy that you would like to see changed? 

Support policies that protect students, teachers, and staff from discrimination and bullying, ensure everyone is treated equally. 

What proposals do you hope to bring forward?

• Set up a meeting schedule with MLAs for funding shortfall 

• Advocate for sufficient funding and resources for post-pandemic recovery and mental wellness programs for all 

• Advocate to government for approval of seismic projects and school facilities upgrade 

• Advocate for additional funding and resources to support a competitive compensation package

• Advocate for funding and resources for English Language Learning/resource teachers, school counsellors, learning assistants, and staff who give special education services

• Advocate for additional funding for professional development 

What is one thing you feel you can offer Richmond in your role? 

Ensuring (we) provide a clean, safe, inclusive, welcome, equal learning environment for all. 

DAVID YANG, SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE

What is your favourite thing about living in Richmond? 

I love the diversity and vibrance of our city. Being a resident in Richmond for more than 15 years, I have come across people from many walks of life with different backgrounds who all call Richmond home. We all have different ways of sharing our skills and knowledge with the community, allowing our city to grow and thrive.

What is your favourite place in the city? 

Minoru Park and Fisherman’s Wharf are two places that bring back fond memories of growing up in Richmond. 

What excites you the most about being elected as a school board trustee for the next four years?

Our public education system has been under stress in the past few years and there are many challenges that remain. I look forward to strengthening public education and ensuring it is inclusive, safe, and meets the needs of all students. I am honoured to have the opportunity to amplify underrepresented voices in our community.

Are there any elements of current policy that you would like to see changed?

Putting words into action for truth and reconciliation. With the recent change in provincial curriculum, school districts have an opportunity to meaningfully implement the Indigenous course requirement so all students can develop a deeper understanding of our First Peoples. Work also needs to be done to develop policies and practices that strengthen First Peoples Principles of Learning in classrooms.

What proposals do you hope to bring forward?

Increasing the role of student voice in the decision-making process of the district. Students are the most important stakeholder, and much needs to be done to ensure that the experience and needs of students are heard. Other school districts have made progress on this issue through formalized arrangements such as student advisory committees and student representatives at committee. 

What is one thing you feel you can offer Richmond in your new role?

I hope to bring diverse perspectives and fresh ideas to the table. I also hope to be a hardworking representative for the public and engage with the community in a thoughtful, active, and transparent manner.