Two more people have submitted their names for school trustee candidacy, bringing the total number of candidates to 12 – four more than the last election.
Former District Parents’ Advisory council vice president Karen Jarvis put her name into the ring last week.
Jarvis, who has three children in the school system, has been a regular attendant at board meetings for more than six years. She is also studying communications at the University of the Fraser Valley.
Strong communication with the whole community, she said, is key to being a good trustee.
“Being a trustee is not about leaving a legacy, it’s about embracing change that results in positive student success,” she said.
Local pastor and certified teacher Vern Tompke is also seeking votes.
For 15 years, Tompke has been a pastor at Chilliwack Vineyard Community Church, and for seven of those years, he’s been a teacher on call for the Chilliwack school district.
He has worked in almost every grade and school in the district, and has built relationships with families, teachers and principals.
Tompke is also familiar with other avenues of education beyond public schooling. His three children, now all attending UFV, attended public schools, as well as private schools and were also home schooled for a stretch.
Tompke, who has a degree in business, intends to explore avenues for in-school fundraising if elected. He also wants to strengthen links between schools and parents of all school age children in the community.
Other new candidates include retired principal Walt Krahn, retired teacher Harold Schmidt, UFV student Dan Coulter, and businessman Jack Bass.
Incumbents include Silvia Dyck, Heather Maahs, Martha Wiens, Darlene Wahlstrom, Louise Piper and Doug McKay.
Nominations need to be submitted by Friday, Oct. 14. The election is on Nov. 19.
kbartel@theprogress.com