Fresh start for trustees at SD #33 Inaugural Meeting in Chilliwack

CHILLIWACK — The Chilliwack School District office was home to the Inaugural Meeting of the Board of Education trustees after the October 15 election. On the agenda was the election of the Board Chair and a few other positions included in the Board’s mandate.

Willow Reichelt was elected Chair of the Board after being nominated by trustee Carin Bondar. Reichelt emphasized the experience she brought to the table, claiming that she has previously led the board successfully through contentious meetings in the past. When questioned by Fraser Valley Today, Reichelt expressed “excitement” for her new term and the importance of “turning a new leaf”.

Returning trustee Carin Bondar was elected Vice-Chair of the Board.

Teri Westerby, the first trans-man in Canada to be elected to the position of school trustee and was voted by the other trustees to be the BCPSEA representative with Carin Bondar being the alternate. Speaking with Fraser Valley Today, Trustee Westerby sought to bring a new voice to the table. “(in my role) I hope to bring a new lens on people with marginal representation.”