Only two non-incumbents are challenging for nine seats on the Tri-Cities' board of education - and three trustees running for re-election have already been acclaimed - but that doesn't mean people aren't interested in how the school district is governed, says the board chair.
The Port Moody trustee and current board chair was one of three School District 43 board of education members who were acclaimed. The other two are fellow PoMo Trustee Keith Watkins and Anmore/Belcarra Trustee Holly Butterfield.
While not having to run for re-election has its advantages, Hyndes says, "I'm happy not to have to spend any money" - it presents problems, too. "People don't know what I stand for and what I'm running for," she said.
The lack of challengers for school board also raises issues about accountability and democracy. Could it be that most people view school board as a caretaker level of government because most education decisions are made in Victoria?
Some of the most contentious issues - including funding, class size and composition - are being played out now in the provincial arena or in contract negotiations between the BC Teachers' Federation and the BC Public School Employers' Association, and even the courts.
But Hyndes contends there simply haven't been that many hot-button issues to raise the ire of residents and prompt them to run. The promise of a middle school on Heritage Mountain and permanent busing until it's in place eliminated one bone of contention, and the board's policy on consulting for the district's $260-million budget provides people with opportunities to be heard.
"Usually, people that are running for school board have an agenda, have an issue for their own children or advocate for others," Hyndes said, adding that District Parent Advisory Council hasn't recently been the source of candidates it has been in the past. (Before being elected to the board, Hyndes was a DPAC president.)
"The public may be a little complacent," she said. "They see things are rolling along well and there's nothing that's piqued their interest."
In contrast with school board, dozens of people, many of them newcomers to civic politics, are running for spots on Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Moody city councils.
Trustee Watkins said more people might be running for council this time around because there are open seats (in PoMo, three councillors aren't running for re-election) or because taxes cities levy directly affect people's pocketbooks. School board is mostly about kids, he said, and that might limit the field.
"It is sad that there's not enough people that are interested," he said, adding that he believes PoMo voters appreciate he's been a strong voice on council opposing school closures and limits on school busing.
In all, 16 challengers are running for eight spots on Coquitlam council, 17 hopefuls are eyeing the six spots in Port Coquitlam council and 20 are vying for one of six seats in PoMo.
In School District 43, trustees are paid $27,530 to attend to school board business.
dstrandberg@tricitynews.com
