Richmond First candidates topped the polls but lost control of the Richmond Board of Education Saturday night following the municipal election that saw Richmondites vote in four new trustees to new, four-year terms.
Jonathan Ho, Ken Hamaguchi, Sandra Nixon and Alice S. Wong took over seats vacated by trustees Kenny Chiu and Grace Tsang, —who left for other political endeavors — and two RITE Richmond candidates — Norm Goldstein and Rod Belleza — who were voted out.
The board now includes two independents in Nixon and Hamaguchi.
“No one was more surprised than myself. I was saying to my family a top-12 finish would be a huge success. As an independent, relatively unknown, coming in late, and no campaign budget I might say I was surprised,” said Nixon, an ordained minister with Grace Memorial United Church in Vancouver.
Nixon was the only candidate to broach the subject of Richmond’s lack of an LGBTQ gender and sexuality policy to protect children from potentially being persecuted.
“It’s under the surface here in Richmond. We’re one of two or three (districts) in the region that doesn’t have one (a specific LGBTQ policy),” said Nixon who said she received numerous emails from concerned parents regarding the issue.
“That was by far the primary question I was asked and I was very clear about my support,” said Nixon.
Incumbent board chair Donna Sargent, who glided to victory with 18,176 votes, has stated the current bullying policy covers all minority groups as is.
Nixon, who got 11,412 votes, suggested voters’ “demographics” play a role in Richmond.
“If adults are afraid to talk about it, there’s no way students will come forward,” said Nixon, who said she also plans to advocate for improved mental health support and better classroom composition in the district.
Hamaguchi is an executive director of Seafair Minor Hockey Association and a behavior consultant for autistic children. His goals, as stated before the election, are to advocate for more funding, promote health and wellness, and advocate for more services for kids with autism.
The father of two adult children said he wants to “knock down barriers” for teachers.
He said his and Nixon’s independence should provide a “healthy mix” to the board.
“This year no one really has control of the board,” said Hamaguchi who, speaking at an all-candidates meeting, was one of few candidates who outright said “yes” to supporting a program like Chevron Fuel Your Schools.
“It’s a Catch 22. If you take money you let the government off the hook but that kid gets the special band program,” he said.
Ho, of the Richmond Community Coalition, said one of his main goals is financial literacy.
“We need to see whether we can have some programs to help students understand basic concepts,” said Ho.
Wong, of Renew Richmond, who boasts a long resume working with parent groups, including being vice-president of the Richmond District Parents’ Association, said better communication with parents and advocating for more funding will top her agenda.
Also, Wong wants to promote healthier schools.
“We really need to support more physical activities,” she said.
Both Ho and Wong say the school’s current code of conduct covers gender and sexuality.
“We don’t need a policy for this kind of specific problem. I think we should have a policy for dealing with all differences,” said Ho.
Both Ho and Wong are Chinese and see themselves as trustees who can be a bridge for the Asian community. They also want more transparency on the board.
And while Nixon said “no” to corporate funding such as Chevron’s program, Ho and Wong said they would be open to it in certain circumstances, not unlike Hamaguchi.
“I need to have more understanding of that issue. But I won’t eliminate opportunities to get more revenue sources. We have to work with our community partners for the benefit of students,“ said Ho.
Wong noted she opposed any kind of advertising directed toward children.
Besides Hamaguchi, all the newcomers have children actively in the public school system
The four newcomers placed fourth to seventh in the seven-seat race. RCC candidate Matt Pitcairn lost to Wong by 101 votes but topped Belleza and Goldstein, who finished ninth and tenth respectively. Incumbent Eric Yung of Richmond First garnered 12,359 votes and fellow incumbent and running mate Debbie Tablotney comfortably finished in second with 15,308 votes.
Sargent said Richmond First rarely purposefully votes as a block.
“My goal as chair was to really work as a team. (Last term) we didn’t see much partisan activity,” said Sargent.
Sargent said there are three big things on her agenda: continuing to work on the district’s inclusion policies; a district-wide facilities review; and improving stakeholder relationships.
Sargent said a disconnect formed between teachers, administrators and the board during the recent labour dispute between the teachers and Ministry of Education.
