---
title: "Craig Woods: elected School Trustee, Coquitlam 2026 | voche.me"
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/coquitlam-2026/candidates/craig-woods"
last_updated: "2026-10-31T17:00:32.604Z"
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description: "Elected School Trustee in the Coquitlam 2026 election with 15,763 votes, 1st of 9 (official count). Craig Woods was re-elected to the Board of Education of..."
"og:description": "Elected School Trustee in the Coquitlam 2026 election with 15,763 votes, 1st of 9 (official count). Craig Woods was re-elected to the Board of Education of..."
"og:title": "Craig Woods: elected School Trustee, Coquitlam 2026"
"twitter:description": "Elected School Trustee in the Coquitlam 2026 election with 15,763 votes, 1st of 9 (official count). Craig Woods was re-elected to the Board of Education of..."
"twitter:title": "Craig Woods: elected School Trustee, Coquitlam 2026"
---
School Trustee · Coquitlam 2026
# Craig Woods
- Elected, School Trustee15,763 votes, 1st of 9. Official count, City of Coquitlam. [All results](https://voche.me/bc/coquitlam-2026/results#school-trustee)
Re-elected school trustee of Coquitlam on October 17, 2026, with 15,763 votes, the most of the nine trustee candidates and 109 more than the new mayor. A trustee since 2018 and a past vice-chair of the Board of Education, he ran with no elector organization on more support for students, keeping funding in the classroom and a more accountable board.
Craig Woods was re-elected to the Board of Education of School District No. 43 on October 17, 2026, with 15,763 votes in the City's official count, declared by the Chief Election Officer on October 21, first of nine candidates for Coquitlam's four seats. The City's results print no elector organization for any candidate, and VoteMate lists him as an independent. The School District's trustee page says he was first elected in 2018 and has served as Board vice-chair and chair of the Finance and Audit Committee; the Board's minutes of April 28, 2026 record him moving the adoption of the 2026/27 budget bylaw of $523,792,819. Freshet News reported that he launched his campaign for a third term on September 8, 2026, promising more support for students, resources kept in the classroom and stronger board accountability. On VoteMate he lists 17 promises, from more educational assistants and earlier assessment of student needs to AI with guardrails, anti-racism resources and public input before the budget is written. On election night he told Freshet News he hopes to take on more of a mentorship role on the board.
Explore priorities Campaign links
Researched by voche.me · Not a campaign-authored page
Candidate space2026
*Craig WoodsSchool Trusteev.*
[Image: Freshet News](https://www.freshetnews.ca/craig-woods/)
Promise tracker
## 16 promises. What Craig has done since.
Tracked since October 18, 2026. Every change of status links to the vote, motion or report behind it.
- No action yet**Grow mental health and well-being resources in schools**Student well-being · Own promise
On VoteMate he promises to keep supporting the growth of mental health and well-being resources that help students get support within their schools. He told Freshet News he would support the growth of resources in schools and the community for student mental health.
> “I will continue supporting the growth of mental-health and well-being resources that help students get the support they need within our schools.”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Craig Woods, Coquitlam school board candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).No action yet**Earlier identification and assessment of student needs**Inclusion · Own promise
On VoteMate he promises to support earlier identification of student needs, early-years assessment tools and resources, and help for students and families to find supports before challenges grow. He told Freshet News he would endorse staff building early years assessment tools.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Craig Woods, Coquitlam school board candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).No action yet**Partnerships that connect students with mental health services beyond school, including Foundry Tri-Cities**Student well-being · Own promise
On VoteMate he promises to keep supporting partnerships that connect students and families with mental health and wellness services beyond the schools, and says he advocated for Foundry Tri-Cities.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab).No action yet**Keep Indigenous histories and ways of learning a meaningful part of public education**Programs · Own promise
On VoteMate he promises to keep supporting the District's commitment to Truth and Reconciliation by keeping Indigenous histories, perspectives and ways of knowing and learning meaningful parts of public education.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab).No action yet**Responsible use of AI in schools with guardrails for privacy and academic integrity**Programs · Own promise
On VoteMate he promises to support the responsible use of AI in schools with safeguards that protect students, their privacy and the integrity of their learning. He told Freshet News AI should be used with guardrails and safety measures in place.
> “With guardrails and safety measures in place.”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Craig Woods, Coquitlam school board candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).No action yet**Teach students to use AI and new technology effectively and responsibly, without replacing foundational skills**Programs · Own promise
On VoteMate he promises to support teaching students to use AI and emerging technologies as skills for their future, and to use AI as a tool that adds to learning while students keep building critical thinking and foundational skills. He told Freshet News digital literacy and digital safety must both be taught.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Craig Woods, Coquitlam school board candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).No action yet**Safe and inclusive schools where every student feels respected**Safe schools · Own promise
On VoteMate he promises to keep supporting safe and inclusive schools where every student feels respected, valued and able to learn, with responses when concerns of bullying, racism or exclusion arise.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab).No action yet**Resources and leadership to prevent and respond to racism and discrimination**Safe schools · Own promise
On VoteMate he promises to keep supporting the people, resources and leadership schools need to prevent and respond to racism, discrimination and other forms of exclusion, and says he supported the creation of a District Principal, Diversity and Anti-Racism position.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab).No action yet**Meaningful chances for families from diverse backgrounds to take part and be heard**Inclusion · Own promise
On VoteMate he promises to keep working so families from diverse backgrounds have meaningful opportunities to participate, be heard and feel included in their school communities.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab).No action yet**More educational assistants and classroom supports for students with diverse needs**Inclusion · Own promise
On VoteMate he promises to keep advocating for the people, resources and classroom supports students with diverse learning and support needs require, after what he calls his strong advocacy for more educational assistant support, and for inclusive approaches that recognize each student's needs. Freshet News reported that increasing support for students is his top issue.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Woods seeks third term as Coquitlam school trustee, by Janis Cleugh, September 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Craig Woods, Coquitlam school board candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).No action yet**A district that attracts and keeps the educators and support staff inclusion needs**Inclusion · Own promise
On VoteMate he promises to keep working to make SD43 a district that attracts and retains the educators and support staff needed for inclusive learning. He told Freshet News he would keep building a district that attracts educators, including education assistants and learning inclusion support workers.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Craig Woods, Coquitlam school board candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).No action yet**Keep education resources focused on students, classrooms and the people who support learning**School funding · Own promise
On VoteMate he promises to keep education resources focused as directly as possible on students, classrooms and the people who support learning. Freshet News reported that keeping resources in the classroom, with protection for classroom staffing and continuity for students and teachers, is his second priority. The Dispatch's roundup of September 24, 2026 reported the same pledge.
> “I will continue working to keep education resources focused as directly as possible on students, classrooms and the people who support learning.”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Woods seeks third term as Coquitlam school trustee, by Janis Cleugh, September 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Meet the school trustee candidates in Coquitlam, by Jeremy Shepherd, September 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab).No action yet**Responsible long-term financial planning for enrolment, staffing and facilities**School funding · Own promise
On VoteMate he promises to support responsible long-term financial planning that protects the quality and stability of public education, with attention to future enrolment, staffing, facilities and financial pressures.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab).No action yet**Meaningful public input and transparent decisions on how education dollars are spent**Board governance · Own promise
On VoteMate he promises to keep advocating for meaningful public input and transparent decision-making about education spending, after moving stakeholder consultation earlier in the budget process. He told Freshet News he would keep regular district communications and active stakeholder engagement, especially during the budget process.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Craig Woods, Coquitlam school board candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).No action yet**Consultation before important decisions, more district communication and transparent board processes**Board governance · Own promise
On VoteMate, under Strengthening School Board Accountability, he promises to keep advocating for meaningful consultation before important decisions, increased district-level communication, stakeholder engagement through the year and transparent Board processes. Freshet News reported that improving board accountability is his third priority.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Woods seeks third term as Coquitlam school trustee, by Janis Cleugh, September 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab).No action yet**A fair, transparent and unbiased process for hiring senior leadership**Board governance · Own promise
He told Freshet News he would ensure the hiring of senior leadership is thorough by taking part in and insisting on a fair, transparent and non-biased process, and by keeping human resources policies up to date.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Freshet News · Craig Woods, Coquitlam school board candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
Read the full position
He told Freshet News he would endorse early-years assessment tools and support the growth of mental health resources in schools and the community.
[VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) ](https://votemate.org/bc2026/candidates/14381?riding=799)
02
### Keep education funding in the classroom
On VoteMate he promises to keep education resources focused on students, classrooms and the people who support learning, with responsible long-term financial planning. Freshet News reported that keeping resources in the classroom was his second priority, with protection for classroom staffing and continuity for students and teachers.
[VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) ](https://votemate.org/bc2026/candidates/14381?riding=799)
03
### A more accountable board, with public input before the budget is written
On VoteMate he promises meaningful consultation before important decisions, more district-level communication, stakeholder engagement through the year and transparent board processes. He told Freshet News he would insist on a fair, transparent and unbiased process for hiring senior leadership.
[VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) ](https://votemate.org/bc2026/candidates/14381?riding=799)
04
### Student mental health and the Foundry
On VoteMate he promises to keep supporting mental health and well-being resources in schools, earlier support before challenges grow, and partnerships such as Foundry Tri-Cities that connect students and families with services outside school.
[VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) ](https://votemate.org/bc2026/candidates/14381?riding=799)
05
### AI with guardrails, and safe and inclusive schools
On VoteMate he promises responsible use of AI in schools with safeguards for privacy and academic integrity, teaching students to use AI and new technology responsibly, and continued support for safe and inclusive schools, anti-racism resources and Indigenous histories in public education.
Read the full position
He told Freshet News that digital literacy and digital safety must both be taught.
[VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) ](https://votemate.org/bc2026/candidates/14381?riding=799)
Research status
## What voche.me has checked
Researched on 2026-10-30 through the seven search steps listed below: the City's declaration, results per tabulator and voting-night release, his VoteMate page, the School District's trustee page, the Board's minutes of February 10, April 28 and June 16, 2026, and reporting by Freshet News and the Tri-Cities Dispatch, including the Dispatch's roundup of the nine trustee candidates of September 24, 2026.
He has no campaign website; his campaign page is on Facebook, which shows only a login page to scripts, so it was not read. His account of his career with SkilledTradesBC and his community roles is his own and was not checked with those bodies; his trustee roles come from the School District's page and its minutes. The Tri-City News archive on vancouverisawesome.com answers 403 to scripts, so its reports on his 2018 and 2022 campaigns were not read. His 2022 count comes from the City's declaration; the City's 2018 declaration is a scanned file whose text could not be read, so his 2018 count is not given.
03 / Background
## Experience & community
2018 to now
### Trustee, Board of Education of School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)
The School District's trustee page says he was elected in 2018 and has served as Board vice-chair and chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. The City's 2022 declaration gives him 11,521 votes, third of the four elected. The Board's minutes of April 28, 2026 record him moving the adoption of the 2026/27 Annual Budget Bylaw, and its minutes of June 16, 2026 record him moving the 2027/2028 Five Year Minor Capital Plan.
[School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) · Trustees](https://sd43.bc.ca/board-members-trustee-information)
2014 to 2018
### President, SD43 District Parent Advisory Council
The School District's trustee page says he served as DPAC president for more than five school years, from 2014 to 2018, and was recognized by the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils for his volunteering. Freshet News reported the same role.
[School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) · Trustees](https://sd43.bc.ca/board-members-trustee-information)
By his own account
### Education, training and social services, most recently with SkilledTradesBC
Freshet News's candidate profile prints his occupation in his own words: more than 20 years in education, training and social services, most recently with SkilledTradesBC. voche.me has not checked this with the employer.
[Freshet News · Craig Woods, Coquitlam school board candidate, September 30, 2026](https://www.freshetnews.ca/craig-woods/)
04 / Questions & answers
## Questions for the candidate
Proposed questions for a future interview. They have not been sent to the candidate, and no answers have been supplied.
No questions and answers have been supplied.
### Have your own question?
Ask Craig Woods directly. We send it to the campaign, and publish the reply here if we get one.
05 / About this page
## Questions about this page
Facts voche.me can state about Craig Woods's page itself, answered directly rather than left blank.
How did Craig Woods do in the 2026 Coquitlam municipal election?
Craig Woods was elected School Trustee with 15,763 votes, 1st of 9 in the official count. The City of Coquitlam published the count, and every candidate's total is on the results page.
Is this an official page for Craig Woods?
No. This page is researched by voche.me from public sources, listed below, and is separate from Craig Woods's own campaign.
Does Craig Woods currently hold public office?
Yes. Craig Woods currently serves as Trustee, Board of Education of School District No. 43 (Coquitlam).
How many sources does this Craig Woods profile cite?
This profile lists 15 sourced references, each with the date voche.me checked it, in the Sources section below.
Why do some questions on Craig Woods's page show no answer?
The "Questions & answers" section on this page lists questions voche.me would put to Craig Woods in a future interview. They have not been sent yet, so the page says plainly that no answer has been supplied instead of leaving the section blank.
When was the election Craig Woods ran in?
The 2026 Coquitlam municipal election, including the School Trustee race, was decided on October 17, 2026.
06 / Candidate contributions
## Space for campaign updates
### No campaign updates yet
Announcements, event details and messages can be added here, with their source and publication date. No campaign submission has been added.
## Sources & transparency
- [City of Coquitlam · Declaration of Official Election Results, October 21, 2026 ](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/20767/Declaration-of-Official-Election-Results)Checked October 30, 2026
- [City of Coquitlam · Results per Tabulator, 2026 General Local Election, October 21, 2026 ](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/20771)Checked October 30, 2026
- [City of Coquitlam · Unofficial Election Results: Coquitlam Mayor, City Councillors and School Trustees, October 17, 2026 ](https://www.coquitlam.ca/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=2066)Checked October 30, 2026
- [VoteMate · Craig Woods, independent for SD43 Board of Education, 2026 BC Local Elections (the biography and promises he gave) ](https://votemate.org/bc2026/candidates/14381?riding=799)Checked October 30, 2026
- [School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) · Trustees ](https://sd43.bc.ca/board-members-trustee-information)Checked October 30, 2026
- [School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) · Minutes, Regular Public Board Meeting, February 10, 2026 ](https://media.sd43.bc.ca/media/Default/medialib/2026-02-10-regular-public-board-meeting-minutes.8c41f211767.pdf)Checked October 30, 2026
- [School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) · Minutes, Public Board Meeting, April 28, 2026 ](https://media.sd43.bc.ca/media/Default/medialib/2026-04-28-public-board-meeting-minutes.80454a11772.pdf)Checked October 30, 2026
- [School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) · Minutes, Regular Board Meeting, June 16, 2026 ](https://media.sd43.bc.ca/media/Default/medialib/2026-06-16-regular-board-meeting-minutes.82d02119584.pdf)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Freshet News · Woods seeks third term as Coquitlam school trustee, by Janis Cleugh, September 8, 2026 ](https://www.freshetnews.ca/woods-seeks-third-term-as-coquitlam-school-trustee/)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Freshet News · Craig Woods, Coquitlam school board candidate, September 30, 2026 ](https://www.freshetnews.ca/craig-woods/)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Freshet News · Hodge clinches mayor's chair, incumbents re-elected, by Janis Cleugh, October 18, 2026 ](https://www.freshetnews.ca/hodge-clinches-mayors-seat-incumbents-re-elected/)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Tri-Cities Dispatch · Four new school trustees elected; board chair falls short in re-election bid, by Jeremy Shepherd, October 18, 2026 ](https://tricitiesdispatch.com/trustees-four-new-chair-out/)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Tri-Cities Dispatch · Hodge, Lurbiecki and West win, by Jeremy Shepherd, October 18, 2026 ](https://tricitiesdispatch.com/hodge-lurbiecki-west-win/)Checked October 30, 2026
- [Tri-Cities Dispatch · Meet the school trustee candidates in Coquitlam, by Jeremy Shepherd, September 24, 2026 ](https://tricitiesdispatch.com/meet-the-school-trustee-candidates-in-coquitlam/)Checked October 30, 2026
- [City of Coquitlam · 2022 General Local Election, Declaration of Official Results ](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8835/2022-General-Local-Election-Declaration-of-Official-Results-PDF)Checked October 30, 2026
Missing information does not imply a candidate’s position. [Read our editorial standards.](https://voche.me/bc/coquitlam-2026/about)
Campaign contact
## Campaign links & contact.
Find the candidate’s website, social accounts and contact information.
[School District No. 43: Trustees](https://sd43.bc.ca/board-members-trustee-information) [Craig Woods on VoteMate](https://votemate.org/bc2026/candidates/14381?riding=799)
## View more candidates.
[All candidate spaces ](https://voche.me/bc/coquitlam-2026/candidates)
[School Trustee**Candace Knoll**](https://voche.me/bc/coquitlam-2026/candidates/candace-knoll) [School Trustee**Chuck Denison**](https://voche.me/bc/coquitlam-2026/candidates/chuck-denison)
Candidate Q&A
## Ask Craig Woods a question.
Give your name, email and question. We send it to the campaign, and publish their answer here if we get one.
## Sitemap
See the full [sitemap](/bc/coquitlam-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.