Image: Laurie Throness

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack School District

Newest SD33 trustee to be sworn in as fellow board member extends olive branch

Mar 10, 2025 | 9:20 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack’s newest school board member will be sworn in this week, as one fellow trustee has extended a warm welcome to the winner of the by-election held earlier this month.

After winning the by-election with nearly 55 per cent of the vote, Laurie Throness will be sworn in at a special meeting this Wednesday, March 12 at 4 p.m. at Chilliwack School District’s administrative building on Cessna Drive. This allows him to begin participating in all school district business, including in-camera sessions.

Similar to the oath for Chilliwack City Council members, Throness will need to affirm that he has not contravened the School Act respecting vote buying, intimidation or other election offences in relation to his election as a trustee; that he will abide by the School Act and will faithfully perform the duties of the office and not allow any private interest to influence his conduct in public matters; and that he will comply with the requirements of the School Act pertaining to conflict of interest, specifically whether he has a fiduciary or pecuniary interest in a matter.

Former SD33 board chair and current trustee Willow Reichelt acknowledged Throness’s win in a statement on her official Facebook trustee account.

“Congratulations to Laurie Throness on being elected to the Chilliwack Board of Education. I know you have years of experience in public service, so I trust you will come to the table ready to do the work,” Reichelt said.

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Reichelt said it was helpful to have what she called the “distraction” of a by-election behind trustees as the board works on completing its updated Strategic Plan.

“The Board will work with partner groups to ensure that we have a plan that creates inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive and succeed,” Reichelt said. We know that students can only achieve academic excellence (or other forms of excellence) when they feel safe and empowered to truly engage in their learning.”

Speaking of trustee acknowledgements around Throness joining the board, SD33 trustee Teri Westerby issued a lengthy online statement on his personal Facebook page that included labeling Throness a “career conservative politician.” Those sentiments likely violate section 130 of the Chilliwack School District’s governing bylaws requiring trustees to “work with fellow Trustees in a spirit of collaboration.”

It should be noted that Throness served just over seven years as an MLA, just one year more than the amount of time that Reichelt and current board chair David Swankey have served.