Abbotsford school trustees Jared White and Mike Rauch have been censured by the Abbotsford board of education.
On Feb. 5, White praised American president Donald Trump's recent executive order to ban transgender athletes from women's sports.
White shared a video of Trump signing the executive order on his "Jared White for Abbotsford School Trustee" page and added comments stating, "No more biological males in women's/girls' sports. No more biological males in women’s/girls' bathrooms and locker-rooms. No more teaching vulnerable children that they can be both genders or neither. Enough. Common sense is making a come back and it’s about time."
BREAKING: @AbbotsfordSD has censured trustee's Jared White and Mike Rauch for breaching the board's code of ethics.
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) March 10, 2025
White posted the attached image to his trustee Facebook page on Feb. 5. Rauch liked the post and commented on it.
More to come. pic.twitter.com/axiJOhkMnW
According to a press release from the board, that post breached policy six of the trustee code of ethics and undermined the school district’s efforts to create a safe and welcoming environment for all staff, students and members of the school community.
Rauch liked the post and commented on it, which also violated policy six.
Both trustees have been asked to apologize and reaffirm their support and commitment to equal educational opportunities for all students, including those with diverse gender identities.
In addition, both trustees have been removed from ancillary public-facing roles on committees, working groups, and at school and district events. They will continue to participate as trustees in formal meetings of the board and will continue to carry out their core governance roles. These restrictions will be reviewed at a future date.
Upon learning of his censure, Rauch posted a comment on his website apologizing on Monday (March 10) for his social media activity. He told The News that he deleted his comment before the board requested he do so on Feb. 20 and did not engage in any further public discussion.
Trustee Rauch has apologized for the comment he posted on White's Facebook page and has released a statement on his website. That can be seen here – https://t.co/k7SvDtqbee https://t.co/Y7cx0lmxsf pic.twitter.com/HRMAZZmQPB
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) March 10, 2025
"I recently made a comment on a social media post in support of fairness in women’s sports," he wrote. "Several of my school board colleagues expressed concern, suggesting that support for policies restricting biological males from competing in women’s sports sends a message of broader discrimination. Upon learning of their concerns, I removed my comment and sincerely apologize to anyone who was harmed by it. I have close relationships with transgender individuals and would never want to hurt them. I strongly believe in human rights, which include equal opportunities, freedom from discrimination, and full participation in society."
Rauch also apologized to the teachers and coaches involved in local school sports. He added that he is a strong advocate for sports and physical activity for all.
He then added additional comments to his statement on Tuesday (March 11) after he stated that he received feedback from people wondering why his position on men (transgender women) competing in women's sports has changed. Rauch said he remains concerned about men competing in women's sports and now believes that the board is treating him unfairly.
"I think this decision is unreasonable and the Board has forgotten its obligation to women and girls," he added on Tuesday.
Board chair Shirley Wilson the decision to censure both trustees was a long process and involved the entire board.
"The board found that the trustee violated the code and undermined our efforts to create a safe and welcoming environment for all staff, students and members of the school community," she said.
Wilson said Rauch and White's roles on committee's and working groups will be restructured and other trustees will fill those for the immediate future. The pair will continue attending meetings and still be involved in regular trustee governance. She said that White did receive more punishment than Rauch and stated that trustees are always representing the board and district, both in-person and on social media. Activity of all trustees is constantly being monitored.
"The board was careful and thoughtful in its response to this situation," she said. "It was extremely difficult and distressing for our senior leadership and the board to go through this process. It's hard to put into words, but no one likes to have to judge their peers."
She said she's aware that some members of the public may not understand why this decision was made.
"I am conscious of the fact that some members of the public will think this is about free speech or about women in sports, but that's not what this sanction is about," she said. "This sanction is about the responsibility within the role of a trustee."
Wilson said that the board has asked White to delete his post, but he has decided not to. The News did reach out to White for comment on the censure, but he has chosen not to reply.
The News asked White about his post last month and he stated that diverse opinions are important and that his views align with a number of local parents. At the time, he added that he hopes his fellow trustees decide not to discipline him.
"It is extremely important for diverse opinions to be able to be shared without fear of censorship or reprisals," he stated in an email. "My views are consistent with the views of a substantial amount of concerned citizens and parents in Abbotsford and around this province. Any attempt by the school district to muzzle or 'cancel' me would be extremely disappointing and profoundly undemocratic. I trust my fellow trustees will do the right thing and continue to allow freedom of expression in this district.”
White was asked to provide examples of these specific issues occurring in Abbotsford, but he chose not to do so.
The Abbotsford Board of Education approved and adopted a set of policies in October 2013 that serve as a guideline to reflect the values they bring to specific issues as representatives of the community.
Rauch and White both earned their seats in the 2022 election, with Rauch placing fifth and garnering 8,943 votes. White finished sixth and collected 8,388.
