Nine candidates have put their names forward for seven seats on the Campbell River School Board for the upcoming election.
Of these candidates, seven are running in the Greater Campbell River electoral area, where five seats are up for grabs.
The Sayward Valley and Quadra electoral areas each had one candidate step forward for one seat in each area, so these candidates will be acclaimed.
Shannon Briggs, the incumbent trustee, will serve the Sayward Valley region, and Jan Gladish, who ran for the first time, will serve the Quadra region.
In the 2018 election, both these seats were also acclaimed, with Briggs in Sayward Valley and Susan Wilson, who is not seeking re-election, serving the Quadra region.
Candidates
Of the seven candidates running in the Greater Campbell River electoral area, three are incumbents, and four are running for the first time.
Kat Eddy, Daryl Hagen, and Joyce McMann are the incumbent candidates up for re-election, and Craig Gillis, Dave Harper, Alaina Kelly, and Kim Yaciuk are seeking to be elected.
Kat Eddy
Eddy is a mom of a son entering Grade 12 and a stepmom to three adult men. She is the executive director of the Campbell River Literacy Association. She is up for re-election for her second term as trustee.
If re-elected, she hopes to improve literacy and graduation rates, address mental health challenges, work with local Indigenous communities, work to implement infrastructure upgrades or replacements as needed in the district, and focus on equity work as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
In the 2018 election, Eddy received the fifth most votes with 2,572.
Craig Gillis
Gillis is a long-time teacher, who taught at Southgate School at the beginning of his teaching career. He has also served as co-president of the Campbell River Salmon Kings’, and served on the Rotary Club in a number of positions.
In a video posted to his Facebook account, he says his beliefs for the school system are partnership, having open doors, responsibility, inclusion, and a caring system.
Gillis’ Facebook page can be found here.
Daryl Hagen
In the 2018 election, Hagen received the fourth most votes with 2,797.
CHEK News has not received a response from Hagen. This story will be updated with his information when it becomes available.
Dave Harper
Harper is a teacher who has taught both English and French Immersion at the elementary and middle school levels. He has also served as president of the Campbell River and District Teacher’s Association.
In a post on Facebook, he says the qualities he will bring to the table as trustee are his passion, preparedness and knowledge, listening skills, and co-operative working style.
Harper’s Facebook page can be found here.
Alaina Kelly
Kelly is a mother and citizen of Campbell Riber who is passioante about student education.
If elected, she plans to work in the best interests of students, build bridges between the district and community, be accountable, and be a team player.
Kelly’s website can be found here.
Joyce McMann
Joyce McMann has served 14 years on the SD 72 board, and has worked over 45 years with children and families.
Her commitments as trustee are to push for the goals of Truth and Reconciliation, celebrating diversity, and respecting the expectations families have for their children’s experience at school.
In the 2018 election, McMann received the most votes with 3,542.
Kim Yaciuk
Yaciuk is the parent of an elementary school student with a person interested in the wellbeing of children.
If elected, she plans to push for including more diverse and inclusive literature in the curriculum, welcoming new students who move to the area, and ensuring all students have a quality education in a safe and inclusive environment.
Laura Brougham
