Burnaby's right-leaning civic party has announced a full slate of school board candidates.
TEAM Burnaby's school trustee hopefuls are Bonda Bitzer, Alex Hui, Jeff Kuah, Rennie Maierle, Glen Power, Pablo Su and Anne Sharleen Sylva.
"We wanted people who were passionate about the school system and people who have, or have had, children in the public education system, and people who have taken an interest in their children's education by participating in PAC (parent advisory councils)," said Lee Rankin, former city councillor and current TEAM candidate. "It's actually an incredibly diverse and excellent list."
Prior to the 2008 civic election, TEAM had two opposition trustees - Helen Chang and Richard Lee - on a board otherwise dominated by the NDP-affiliated Burnaby Citizens' Association. But in the last local election, the BCA took all seven seats.
Rankin said the board of education now lacks transparency in decision-making, the meetings are "extremely short," and there's very little public discussion.
"There has to be public discussion and public consultation before adopting major decisions, and that's not occurring right now," Rankin said. "The real decisions are made basically amongst the BCA without staff being present. It's unhealthy."
