Candidates Questionnaire Week 1: Meet Your School Board Candidates, And Find Out Why They’re Running
Photo Credit: Garibaldi School Annex
The Nest is launching coverage of the 2026 Vancouver School Board Election with a series of Weekly Issue Questionnaires sent to trustee candidates.
Every week, we’ll send questions focusing on key election issues to trustee candidates, and publish their responses on our website.
Last week, we sent the following questions to trustee candidates:
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
(Thank you to The Nest’s 2022 Election Reporting Team for developing these questions.)
Below, you’ll find candidates’ unedited responses. In the interest of fairness, the order in which political parties are listed is randomized, and, within each political party, the order in which candidates are listed is also randomized.
As well, our next questionnaire will be published on Sep. 28. Stay tuned to find out about candidates’ stances on AI in schools.
Please send any queries or concerns to ehnewspaper@gmail.com. Contact us If you have questions that you think we should consider asking candidates in future questionnaires.
Green Party of Vancouver
Alisha Masongsong
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I am running for school board trustee because Vancouver schools have been on a decline for far too long and are in need of bold and collaborative leadership to ensure they’re fully funded and have all the necessary supplies and staffing resources to give Vancouver students the best education possible.
When working as a social worker in the Downtown Eastside, I supported many women and children navigating poverty and assisted them with enrolling in Vancouver’s schools and accessing the support they needed. At that time, it was very challenging for families to access meal programs, learning and mental health supports, or even get their child into a school within the catchment area, due to long waitlists. Families had to go across the city to drop their children off at school while they didn’t have a car and often couldn’t afford transit either. This was unacceptable.
When I look at the Vancouver school system now, and see there’s a budget that’s not meeting operational demands, there are less support staff and programs available for students, most meal programs have been cancelled, schools are over capacity and waitlists are still long - things have not changed and in some cases have become worse.
I have a child of my own who will enter the public school system next year. Therefore, I’m committed to do as much as I can to change things so that she and all children in Vancouver can attend the school in their catchment area, access healthy, nutritious meal programs, get the support they need, and be in a classroom that is safe and well equipped to learn in and thrive.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
If elected, my top priorities for the Vancouver school district would be:
Fully funded public education. A budget that meets the needs of students, teachers, support staff, and schools that are safe, climate resilient, meet capacity and well equipped to learn in.
All students equipped to learn: All students’ needs are met, this means properly funded mental health supports, like counselors available in every school. Ensuring there are programs, training for teachers and enough Educational Assistants for students with accessibility and various learning needs to thrive. Empowering students to have a stronger voice at the VSB and share what their specific needs are at each school.
Food security and healthy students: Expanding food security supports to ensure there are accessible, nutritious food programs available at every school for every student
Julie Strilesky
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I am running for school board trustee because I have a deep commitment to public service, and believe strong public schools help set the foundation for a strong society and future.
I want to bring my experience in policy development, climate action, community building and advocacy to help strengthen public education, support teachers and staff, and ensure students and families have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect them. As a stepparent and former student in the local school system, I have seen the myriad challenges firsthand.
I commit to working tirelessly to find solutions to complex problems, including addressing overcrowding, safety and wellbeing, and protecting access to the programs and spaces that are crucial for strong schools.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
I will advocate for greater funding from the Province, and ensure funds are being used effectively for the highest priorities. We hear key roles and capacity is being cut - for music, gym, neurodivergent needs etc. We need to show real leadership to reverse the literacy/numeracy decline: back the district's K-12 Numeracy Framework and literacy screening work with real staffing and classroom support.
I will advocate for greater transparency and accountability in decision-making and funding decisions so trustees and the public can actually track whether spending produces the outcomes we're promised. I will support an audit of key topics, including senior management roles, and how the VSB is setting targets, measuring performance, tracking outcomes and taking corrective action.
I will protect public land for public good and future generations - while finding ways to leverage this key asset given critical needs. I will also work to address the overcrowding and school safety issues.
I will recommend more innovative, effective tools and processes for parents and all stakeholders to share timely input on decisions that impact them, and help quantify the scale of the needs.
OneCity Vancouver
Krista Sigurdson
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I'm running for School Board because, as a parent and former PAC chair, I have watched the board neglect the issues facing Vancouver families over the last eight years. Families are facing a child care crisis and school boards need to take responsibility for meeting the demand, starting with before- and after-school child care. Kids with support needs are not having their inclusion needs met and we need to keep funding as close to the classroom as possible. Music, library and PE programs are being cut across the district and seen as optional rather than core educational needs. Teachers and staff are facing difficult working conditions and the district is not listening, nor is it improving retention and recruitment methods. I'm running for all Vancouver children so they have access to high quality, equitable education.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
1. Improving access to child care
2. Improving inclusion and support for kids with support needs
3. Not divesting of public land through long term leases
4. Making neighborhood schools the heart of our communities
5. Reinstating music, library, and PE programs.
Christopher Lee
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I'm running for School Board because the current VSB has failed to adequately support students and youth. As the leader of Helping Hearts, my nonprofit advocacy group, I brought together thousands of students, including students from Eric Hamber to push for stronger communities – from a universal school food program to transparent governments. In that work, I've seen, from the eyes of students, how student needs aren't being met, especially through our educational resources and mental health support, like the lack of universal full-time counselors and librarians in every school. For too long, these needs have been unmet because of Trustees that don’t spend the time to listen and learn from students and parents. The world that young people live in is drastically different than that of students even 10 years ago. It’s critical that we have a trustee voice with recent, personal experience in the K to 12 system, and I would be honoured to be that person. Vancouver's students deserve a strong, voting voice that’ll bring in resources and support for all, and that’s why I’m running.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
With the OneCity School Board team, my biggest priority is advancing strong supports and resources that'll help students thrive. I'll push for full-time counselors and full-time librarians at every school, secure well-funded music and arts programs across the district, and promote a diverse set of elective courses for all students. At Helping Hearts, I've seen what happens when students have the resources they need to succeed— it's time the VSB makes this a priority for all students.
Sherry Breshears
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I’m running because my two kids recently graduated from VSB schools, and over the years, I have spent time and energy advocating to ensure that my own children and others received the support they needed, volunteering with DPAC and the Inclusive Education Working Group. Through that experience, I gained a deep understanding of both the strengths of our school system and the gaps that can leave some learners behind. I'm running because I want every student to have access to the support, opportunities, and sense of connection that help them reach their full potential.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
My top priority is to make sure that all kids feel like they have a place at school and that they are challenged and inspired in their learning. I will advocate for more inclusive schools by ensuring that students have access to needed supports like mental health services, learning supports, resources for neurodivergent students, and other services. I also want all students to have more opportunities to discover their interests and strengths. This could be through specialized programs, trades and skills programs, the arts, outdoor learning, culturally appropriate education for Indigenous students, and other learning opportunities. Students should have access to a wide range of pathways that help them develop their talents and imagine new possibilities for their future.
Steve Cardwell
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I have spent more than four decades in public education because I believe deeply in the power of public schools to change lives and strengthen communities. I have served as a teacher, senior district leader, professor, and university vice-president, and had the privilege of serving for five years as Superintendent of the Vancouver School Board. I know this district, its schools and communities well. I am running to put that experience to work for Vancouver’s students, to strengthen student success and well-being, support the people who work in our schools, and ensure students have access to safe, inclusive neighbourhood schools. I also want to help restore open, transparent, and accountable leadership at the school board, where students, families, and employees have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect them.
In my view, schools are the heart of the neighbourhood and soul of the community.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
My overriding priority is a strong, inclusive public school system where every student is supported and every neighbourhood has a great school. I will work to accelerate seismic upgrades, protect public school lands, and plan for schools in growing communities; advocate for adequate funding, full inclusion, and stronger mental-health and learning supports; restore programs that have been cut, including music and hockey; expand before- and after-school childcare and food programs; and advance Truth and Reconciliation, equity, and belonging. I also want the VSB to recruit and retain more excellent employees, provide sufficient teachers, support staff, librarians, and counselors, support a living wage, and strengthen student voice, public participation, and accountable governance.
Rory Brown
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I’m running for School Board because I think many of the policies, practices, and outcomes of the current VSB are unfair, unsafe, and don’t put equity for students first. I have a good deal of experience working with the VSB as a teacher union representative and I understand how the system works. I believe that an experienced and motivated Board can advocate for students, inspire and include parents, care for employees, and improve outcomes in multiple ways.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
My top priorities are to increase available childcare at multiple sites across the district, advocate and take responsibility for the poor condition of Vancouver school facilities, and to include parent and community voices in Board decision-making.
COPE Vancouver
Derrick O'Keefe
Why I'm running for Vancouver School Board
I’m running for School Board with the Coalition of Progressive Electors to fight for more investment in our public education system.
I’m a parent of two school-aged kids, a union member, a community volunteer, a writer and researcher, and a life-long social justice advocate. For nearly 30 years I’ve been fighting to protect the public good in Vancouver against the unfair system that puts the greed of the few above the needs of the many.
The real human cost of the systemic underfunding of public education in Vancouver is paid for by working people -- specifically by parents who have to pay school fees for all sorts of things that should be part of a universal system, and by teachers and other education workers who end up paying out of pocket for the basics and being even more unable to afford to live near where they work.
The cause of the crisis facing public education is the same as the cause of the housing crisis and the climate crisis: the inequality of wealth and power in our society. We can have beautiful and functional public schools, if we have the political courage to tax the super-rich and give power back to the people.
I have a degree in Education from the University of British Columbia and have worked on curriculum development for K-12 students and post-secondary institutions. I’m also a writer, editor, and researcher with the SFU Institute for the Humanities. This academic and professional background gives me some important perspective on the debates and controversies currently taking place around the use of AI in our public schools.
My top priorities for the Vancouver School District
I am a proud democratic socialist and a long-time member of the Coalition of Progressive Electors. As a School Trustee I will fight for fully-funded and safe public schools, equipped with all the supports and opportunities children and students need and deserve.
I will make sure the District doesn't allow any more giveaways of public land to real estate speculators and the billionaire class. Last year’s selloff of the basketball courts at Fleming Elementary in East Vancouver was outrageous, and led to my deeper engagement on School Board issues. It’s absolutely essential that we elect representatives who will make it clear to real estate speculators that Vancouver is not for sale.
Along with my COPE colleagues,I will fight to stop the cuts to school support staff, restore a living wage for bus drivers and all VSB employees, expand school meal programs, and prevent school closures.
Vancouver is one of the wealthiest cities on Earth. It’s time we shared that wealth for the public good and redistributed power to the people.
As the whole world has seen with the new mayor of New York City, people are fed up with billionaires and the super-rich trashing the planet and making our lives stressful and unaffordable. People are ready for real change, and I hope my time on the School Board will help deliver significant change in Vancouver's public school system.
Suzie Mah
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
As an incumbent, I wish to continue my work towards improving the quality of public education in Vancouver schools. We need schools where students feel safe, included, and their academic, mental health, physical health, and social health needs met. Simply put - the work is far from done.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
My top priorities include:
a) a moratorium on school closures and leasing public school lands to developers
b) increasing public accountability by reducing the number of private meetings and increasing public participation through more meaningful engagement
c) conducting a systems audit to identify areas of cost savings so we can put more money into the classrooms
d) putting more money into supporting inclusive education
e) expanding onsite before and afterschool child care
f) bringing back music and the arts back into our schools
g) expanding food programs to feed hungry students and ultimately achieve a universal meal program in every school
Melanie Cheng
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I’m running because, for more than a decade, I have watched Vancouver families repeatedly fight to protect the schools, programs and public spaces their children depend on.
As a mother of three teenagers, I know strong neighbourhood schools are essential to whether families can work, access child care and continue living in this city. As an award-winning parent leader, for the past 10 years I helped fight the proposed closure of 12 schools, launched the campaign to save the Graham Bruce Elementary from condo development, brought an inquiry concerning school-site subdivision plans, and led the save Carleton Elementary campaign.
Those experiences taught me that better decisions are made when Trustees listen to students, families, educators, and communities. I am running to bring compassion, experience and accountability to the Board and to help build a better public education system.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
My first priority will be the classroom and the services that directly support students. I will advocate for: properly funded inclusive education, stronger mental-health and teacher-counselling support, and thriving music, arts, sports and recreation programs.
I will also fight to protect public school lands and restore strong neighbourhood schools. Vancouver needs coordinated planning for enrolment growth, child care and community programming and not more closures, subdivisions or sell-offs. I will press the province to fund faster school construction, seismic upgrades, clean air and the repair or replacement of aging facilities, while ensuring new and renovated schools meet high environmental standards.
Finally, I will champion transparent, democratic governance through accessible meetings, participatory budgeting and meaningful consultation before decisions are made. I also support pausing the use of generative AI and chatbots in schools until the District completes a transparent public review of their effects on privacy, safety, learning, mental health, equity and the environment.
Vote Vancouver
Tasha Doucas
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
My 17 year old son has been my inspiration to bring immediate and positive change to the VSB.
The last two years have been increasingly challenging for him moving from another school district to the VSB one.
This experience prompted me to share with friends, where discussions continued to grow to several parents, some teenagers, as well as teachers across different schools. Our public education system needs immediate attention and on all levels.
My name is Tasha Doucas and I feel the skills I have will allow me to bring transparency, governance and accountability to the VSB's school landscape, planning of projects, and getting the important work that needs to get done as a school board trustee.
I served as PAC Secretary for two new elementary schools in District 93 as parents were pulled away from an overcrowded school and placed into an unused English School building. Our focus was to build the community while fundraising for special programs such as gardening and music for our school. We also had to prepare new bylaws for this school. A year later our school community had to move to another physical location. My experience with the school PAC has provided me with the opportunity to learn the importance of a communities voice to bring parents, teachers and families together for a common goal - for our kids future and to thrive in a learning environment.
I have served as board director and as President of a Provincial Sports Organization for five years. My focus was on strategic financial planning, sound governance, and succession planning.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
As a start while orientation on the various aspects of the role of School Board Trustee, these would be the immediate priorities for the District and establishing milestones for the following:
Review and consultation of the role of AI and Digital Safety in our schools to ensure that AI does not replace student's critical thinking when learning. There is also the aspect of digital safety and ability to remained focused while in school. I would want to review and consult on phone use in schools.
Review of the current childcare and afterschool care programs. Based on the numbers I have heard, it doesn't seem like we are making any headway to provide the childcare spots we need in key growing areas. Afterschool programs are another area that should be reviewed to ensure that we are providing the best support to our parents by not having to race across town to pick them up, all while providing care and expansion of learning in an after school environment.
School Liaison Officers and School Safety are a third area for review. I support non-uniformed SLOs that act as a bridge between teachers or administration and students in hallways and school grounds. SLOs are trained to intervene and neutralize potential criminal activity. On the other side, these SLOs have been seen to bring a calm atmosphere that can provide a positive environment in the school hallways and outside areas.
A Universal Food Program and Nutrition Standards provide every child access to healthy, culturally appropriate food at school without stigma or financial barriers, funded as a shared provincial/federal responsibilities. A revisit of the Nutritional Standards guide is another area that will ensure kids are getting the nourishment to support their day of learning.
Review of the building of schools as well as seismic upgrades:
- There is an immediate need for a school in Olympic Village. A quick review of the location should be done and weigh any factors that would impede flow of traffic and accessibility in that area.
- Schools that are on high priority for seismic upgrades and see which ones need to be rebuilt fully or certain parts upgraded. Those that need a full rebuild, determine if there is a way it can be done safely in conjunction with the school remaining open to students.
Amarys Joseph
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
My name is Amarys Joseph, I was born and raised in Vancouver and had the opportunity to attend both private and public schools here. I graduated from Lord Byng High School which at the time was very enriched in sports, including my favourites: rugby, basketball, and volleyball. I also have a child who is in the public school system in grade 7, so I understand first hand how the decisions the VSB Trustees make land on students and teachers. I am honoured to be running with our esteemed team, Vote Vancouver, where I have found my political home. My fellow Vote Vancouver VSB candidates, who are also parents, and I believe we will make productive, memorably positive changes for the Vancouver School Board District.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District
Restore accessible school programs that have been lost in recent years, particularly the Britannia Hockey Academy - a program that operated for nearly 20 years and provided students with a low barrier, affordable opportunity to participate in hockey. I want to explore every avenue to bring programs like this back and ensure cost is not a barrier to students participating in sport.
Strengthen student supports by advocating for more student and School Support Assistants (SSA's) in our schools. I understand the number of student enrollment has increased yet staffing has not been able to keep up with those needs. I would like to prioritize adequate SSA staffing so students with disabilities and diverse learning needs receive the consistent, individualized support they need to learn, participate and thrive in the classroom.
Parents should not have to choose between having a job or having good quality adequate childcare. Expand child care and before- and after-school care on VSB property. We've already seen this model work- including 69 spaces at Eric Hamber 0-5, Henry Hudson, and another 161 school-age spaces being created through school space conversions at Cunningham, Moberly, Queen Victoria Annex, Cook, Tyee, and Beaconsfield. I want VSB to identify more underused school spaces and work with the Province, City, and non-profit providers to fund and convert them into licensed child care. I also want to adjust mismatched service hours if daycares can offer better service hours and hopefully eliminate child care lottery systems.
Continue seismic upgrades, particularly for H1 schools. I believe in renewing schools; however, if it is possible to preserve some of that history, we will aim to do so.
Mandy Potter
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I’m running for the Vancouver School Board because I know what it feels like when the education system fails you and I know how different a child’s life can be when someone steps in and makes sure they don’t fall through the cracks.
I left school at 16 after the supports I needed weren’t there. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when young people feel like nobody is listening, nobody understands them, and there is nowhere to turn.
Today, I’m a parent, a founder, and someone who has spent my career building organizations and advocating for communities that are too often overlooked. As the founder of Misfits Ventures, I’ve worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs and seen the incredible things people can accomplish when they are given opportunity, support, and someone who believes in them.
I’m running because I want every student in Vancouver to have that opportunity.
Our schools should be places where kids feel safe, supported, included and excited to learn, regardless of their background, identity, disability, neurodivergence, family circumstances or academic path.
And as a parent, I want to make sure we are building a school system that works not just for the students who are thriving today, but for the kids who are struggling quietly and may not yet have the words or confidence to ask for help.
I’m not running because I think the system is broken beyond repair. I’m running because I believe we can do better - and because I believe lived experience, fresh thinking and strong advocacy belong at the table.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
1. Student safety and mental health
Students cannot learn when they don’t feel safe. We need stronger approaches to bullying, violence and harassment, alongside meaningful mental-health supports for students. That means identifying problems earlier, making it easier for students and families to access support, and ensuring schools have the resources to respond effectively.
2. Better support for neurodivergent and disabled students
Too many families spend enormous amounts of time fighting to get their children the supports they need. I want the VSB to focus on earlier intervention, stronger learning supports and better coordination between schools, families and the professionals supporting students.
3. Making sure every student belongs
Vancouver is an incredibly diverse city, and our schools should reflect that. Students should be able to see themselves in their schools, curriculum and communities and know that they belong. That includes LGBTQ+ students, students of colour, newcomers, Indigenous students, students with disabilities and students from every kind of family.
4. Strong academics and more pathways to success
Inclusion and academic excellence should not be competing priorities. We need to support students who are struggling while also challenging students who are excelling. Schools should provide strong foundations in literacy, numeracy and critical thinking, while expanding opportunities in trades, technology, arts, athletics, entrepreneurship and other pathways.
5. Responsible stewardship of public education
The VSB has a responsibility to make every public dollar count. I want greater transparency around spending, stronger accountability for outcomes and a focus on directing resources toward classrooms and the students who need them most.
Ultimately, my goal is simple: I want every child in Vancouver to have a school where they feel safe, seen, supported and capable of succeeding.
Every student deserves adults in their corner who believe in them. I want to be one of those voices at the VSB.
Vancouver Liberals
Noosha Mehdian
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I’m running because I believe decisions about education benefit from having educators at the table. As an educator, researcher and parent, I want to bring my experience in teaching, academic governance and evidence-informed decision-making to the Board. Most importantly, I want to help ensure that Vancouver students are prepared not only for school today, but for the rapidly changing world they will enter after graduation.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
My priorities are ensuring public funding reaches the classrooms and supports where it has the greatest impact; supporting and trusting educators; and strengthening transparency and accountability in Board decision-making. I also want students to graduate with strong foundational knowledge, critical thinking, media literacy and sound judgment including the ability to navigate emerging technologies thoughtfully and independently, rather than becoming dependent on them.
Ishi Dinim
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I’m running for the Vancouver School Board because I believe wholeheartedly in public education and want to help make our schools stronger, more inclusive, and better able to meet the needs of every student.
I was born and raised in Vancouver and attended Henry Hudson Elementary and Kitsilano Secondary, so I know firsthand how important public schools are to our communities. Now, as a parent of two teenagers, I’ve spent nearly 10 years involved in my daughters’ school PACs. What initially got me involved were experiences of racism, antisemitism, and hatred in VSB schools. I felt that some of these situations could have been addressed more proactively. I also served as a DPAC representative for six years and have been a Member at Large of the Vancouver DPAC Executive for the past three years. These experiences have given me a strong understanding of both how the school system works and where there are opportunities to improve it.
My involvement in student advocacy goes back even further. At Emily Carr University, I was elected to my student union and served as one of two student representatives on the Board of Governors. I learned early on that students deserve to have a voice in the decisions that affect their education.
I’m running in this election because I want to bring that experience to the School Board and work collaboratively with students, families, educators, staff, and the broader community. I want every student to feel safe being themselves at school
If elected, what are your top priorities for the district?
My priorities would be focused on making Vancouver’s public schools safe, welcoming, and well-supported places where every student can learn and thrive.
Student wellbeing and belonging: Every student should feel safe and able to be their whole self at school. I would work to ensure schools have the support students need, including counselling and other mental-health services, as well as access to school food programs.
Resources and supports for students: Students learn in different ways and have different needs. Schools need the right staff, resources, and support services to meet students where they are. One priority of mine is reducing wait times for necessary assessments, including psycho-educational assessments that can help ensure students receive the personalized learning resources they require.
Strong public schools and public assets: Schools are an important part of Vancouver’s communities, and school land and other public assets should be protected for future generations. We need to make sure there is enough school space to meet the growing enrollment needs while also addressing current needs. I believe that schools that are seismically upgraded should have the same or greater capacity than the school being replaced.
Meaningful collaboration: Good decisions require listening to the people who experience the education system every day. I would bring my experience working with PACs, DPAC, students, families, and the broader community to the Vancouver School Board, with an emphasis on collaboration and finding common ground.
Kat Nystedt
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board? If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
I want to have make an impact for my children and the children of Vancouver. I want to advocate for children to have safe spaces where they can learn, grow and play. I want to make sure kids have adequate arts and physical education and the proper equipment for each age group. I want to make sure parents and residents are heard from and are communicated properly to about policies and plans.
If elected, my top priorities would be fostering transparency with parents and residents. Focusing on allocating budgets for arts, music and physical education programs.
No Response
The questionnaire was emailed to the following candidates and/or the contact email listed on their party’s website, but they did not respond by the deadline:
Darren Boidman (Vancouver Liberals)
Joshua Cameron (Vancouver Liberals)
Alfred Chien (ABC Vancouver)
Preeti Faridkot (ABC Vancouver)
Gwen Giesbrecht (COPE Vancouver)
Maria Kritikos (ABC Vancouver)
Matt Kroeker (ABC Vancouver)
Rob Nijjar (ABC Vancouver)
Isabel Ochoa (Vancouver Liberals)
Shirley Sio (ABC Vancouver)
Lina Vargas (ABC Vancouver)
Bright Future Vancouver was given the opportunity to respond to the questionnaire under their party name, since they haven’t announced the names of any school board candidates, and they also did not respond by the deadline.