A New Westminster father is looking to bring a fresh perspective to the board of education.
Cyrus Sy is the first candidate to announce his intention to run for school trustee in October’s municipal election. He is seeking the nomination from the New West Progressives, a decision that will be finalized at a nomination meeting later this month.
Sy joined with the New Westminster Progressive Electors Coalition, now the New West Progressives, a group whose goal is to bring new ideas to city hall and school board.
This is the first time Sy has run for office, but it’s not his first foray into the world of politics. Last year, Sy volunteered for the B.C. Green Party during the provincial election.
Sy admits it’ll be an uphill battle trying to get a seat at the board.
“What I’d like to be able to do is at least show and demonstrate to parents and residents and citizens in New West that I can bring some fresh perspective,” he said. “I bring a very collaborative approach to things.”
The idea is to take politics out of the school board and bring the focus back to the students, Sy added.
“I just want to get across the fact that I’m running for trustee because I really care deeply about the school system,” he said. “My hope is that if I get onto the school board that we can make sure that … when it comes to decision making it’s very much based on putting students first and leaving party politics at the door.”
Sy moved to New Westminster in 2007 and currently lives in Victoria Hill with his wife and two kids, who attend Herbert Spencer Elementary School.
Another New Westminster parent has also declared her intention to run for trustee for the New West Progressives. Lisa Falbo announced she was seeking the coalition’s nomination.
She lives in Moody Park and has spent many hours volunteering with her daughter for different community groups, including the Glenbrook Middle School parent advisory council, New Westminster Hyack Ambassador program and Honour House, according to her website.
Calls to Falbo have not been returned.
