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Election 2014: Carreras joins Pitt Meadows trustee race

School board needs to be more open, accountable and to stand up for education

There will be a race for school board trustee in Pitt Meadows, with three women running for two positions.

Korleen Carreras and Marcella Boggio have both filed their papers, and incumbent Eleanor Palis, the vice-chair of the board the past two years, has indicated she is leaning toward going for another term.

There is still time for more candidates to step forward, as the nomination period does not end until the end of the day Friday.

Two of the seven seats on the board represent Pitt Meadows.

Carreras said trustees need to listen to what the needs are locally, then be a convincing voice to senior government.

“The most important thing we need to do as trustees is be vocal, and be talking to the people we represent – parents and students,” she said.

“It is difficult for boards because the budget is set for them. We need to be sure we are lobbying senior government and advocating, so schools have the resources they need.”

Carreras lives in Pitt Meadows with her husband and two children, aged 13 and nine. She ran the Port Moody School of Dance, which taught 450 students each year. Now she works in administration for the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union.

Carreras has watched School District No. 42 struggle with budgets and declining enrollment.

She said the board needs to be more open and accountable, and stand up for education.

“Our schools are facing a financial squeeze. This puts our children’s education at risk.

“We need school trustees willing to be strong, effective voices for education in our community,” she said.

“We need to speak up for more funding for our district, advocate for proper class size and composition, and call for the necessary support staff levels to give our children to best chance at success.”

Carreras said she is active in the community, is the vice-president of the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Arts Council, and is a member of the Pitt Meadows Centennial Organizing Committee.



Neil Corbett

About the Author: Neil Corbett

I have been a journalist for more than 30 years, the past decade with the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News.
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