Community volunteer seeks school board seat

A community volunteer who’s worked with KidSport, the Rotary youth program and New West Pride is running for a seat on the New Westminster school board.

Jeremy Perry says it was his volunteering with Rotary and encouragement from others that prompted him to throw his hat in the ring in this year’s civic election.

“I think as a whole our district is quite behind in our embracement of modern technology,” Perry, an employee benefits consultant, told The Record, explaining some of the changes he’d like to see in the school district.

Others include enhancing the availability of in-demand programs of choice, helping get the long-overdue replacement high school built and looking at how other countries, such as Finland, are providing strong educational outcomes.

“At school board, there are things we can work on that can really improve the educational outcomes for our students, so I think, at this time, I’d have a better chance of being able to provide my assistance at the school board level,” said Perry, explaining why he didn’t run for council.

Perry opted against seeking an endorsement from the New Westminster and District Labour Council, a union group that supports labour-friendly candidates.

“I worry about the perception in New Westminster – that people feel there is a special interest group, mainly the District Labour Council, that pulls the strings in votes,” he said. “I understand from candidates who are endorsed by them that that’s not the case, and they are not influenced on how they vote on matter, however, I have noticed that the public perception seems to be that.”

Perry would rather avoid dealing with that perception, he said.

“I want to make sure that I always feel comfortable making the best decisions for students in our district,” he added.

Civic candidates have until Friday, Oct. 10 to file their nomination papers with the city.