The Coquitlam Teachers' Association isn't endorsing candidates for school trustee for the Nov. 15 civic election because it isn't "warranted," according to information on its website.
But the association representing School District 43's 2,000 teachers has published a detailed survey of trustees on issues important to educators.
The survey filled out by a majority of the 25 Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and Anmore/Belcarra candidates offers general questions about candidate priorities and lobbying ideas and previous activism as well as teacher specific concerns such as class size and composition and the Learning Improvement Fund.
"This questionnaire will hopefully help to clarify which candidates are the better choices and which candidates should be avoided."
In noting why no endorsements will be made this year, the preamble notes that incumbent trustees need to build trust after events of the last year and of the non-incumbents, "few have been visible advocates, especially during our strike."
The CTA is a member of the New Westminster District Labour Council which endorsed only two candidates this year: Chris King, in Port Coquitlam, a retired teacher and who was formerly the CTA vice-president, and Carol Cahoon, a Coquitlam resident, who has children in the district and states she is an accountant and piano teacher.
Both King and Cahoon are also endorsed by CUPE 561, which represents support workers. CUPE has endorsed a total of nine candidates, none of whom are incumbents.
Meanwhile, the CTA plans to take to social media today to grill trustee candidates on issues. Follow it or join in at #sd43trusteechat from 7-8 p.m.
