Laurie Larsen elected chair of Surrey Board of Education at inaugural meeting
Trustees elected Laurie Larsen chair and Bob Holmes vice-chair at the new Surrey Board of Education's inaugural meeting on November 4. Larsen has served as a trustee for 18 years.
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Trustees at the new Surrey Board of Education elected Laurie Larsen as chair and Bob Holmes as vice-chair at the board's inaugural meeting on November 4, the Cloverdale Reporter reported on November 5.
Larsen has served as a Surrey school trustee for 18 years. She was formerly president of CUPE Local 402, the union that represents many of the district's support workers. Holmes has served more than 12 years as a trustee and is in his fifth year on the BC School Trustees Association provincial board, where he serves as vice-president.
Who sits on the board
Six trustees were sworn in at the November 4 meeting: Terry Allen, Laurie Larsen, Bob Holmes, Shawn Wilson, Michelle Ceniza and Laura Lattanzio. A seventh seat remains unresolved. Trustee-elect Garry Thind will be disqualified when he is sworn in as a BC Conservative MLA on November 19, leaving the seat vacant. Whether that seat is filled by a byelection or a court order under the Local Government Act has not been decided.
What the district oversees
Superintendent Mark Pearmain said at the inaugural meeting: "Trustees are strong advocates for our students, staff and families, and they provide the governance and strategic oversight that guide B.C.'s largest school district." The district serves more than 83,000 students across more than 130 schools and employs more than 13,000 people, according to the Indo-Canadian Voice.
What comes next
Larsen said she was looking forward to continuing to serve the families of Surrey and White Rock. "Alongside our returning trustees, I am excited to continue serving the families of Surrey and White Rock," she said, as quoted by the Cloverdale Reporter. The board's next regular meeting is December 9, 2026 at 7 p.m. at the District Education Centre. Parents and residents can follow board decisions and meeting agendas on the Surrey Schools website.
Questions this story answers
Who was elected chair of the Surrey Board of Education?
Laurie Larsen was elected chair at the board's inaugural meeting on November 4, 2026, the Cloverdale Reporter reported. Larsen has served as a Surrey school trustee for 18 years and was formerly president of CUPE Local 402, the union that represents many school district support workers.
Who was elected vice-chair of the Surrey Board of Education?
Bob Holmes was elected vice-chair at the inaugural meeting on November 4, 2026, the Cloverdale Reporter reported. Holmes has served as a trustee for more than 12 years and is in his fifth year on the BC School Trustees Association provincial board, where he serves as vice-president.
When did the new Surrey Board of Education hold its first meeting?
The new Surrey Board of Education held its inaugural meeting on November 4, 2026, three weeks after the October 17 election. Trustees elected their chair and vice-chair at that meeting, the Cloverdale Reporter reported.
What did Laurie Larsen say at the inaugural meeting?
Larsen said: 'Alongside our returning trustees, I am excited to continue serving the families of Surrey and White Rock.' She said the board was focused on student success. The Cloverdale Reporter reported her comments at the November 4 inaugural meeting.
What did the superintendent say at the inaugural meeting?
Superintendent Mark Pearmain said: 'Trustees are strong advocates for our students, staff and families, and they provide the governance and strategic oversight that guide B.C.'s largest school district,' the Cloverdale Reporter reported. The district serves 83,000-plus students across 130-plus schools.
Who are all the trustees on the new Surrey Board of Education?
The six trustees sworn in at the November 4 inaugural meeting are Terry Allen, Laurie Larsen, Bob Holmes, Shawn Wilson, Michelle Ceniza and Laura Lattanzio, the Surrey Now-Leader reported. A sixth seat remains vacant pending resolution of the Garry Thind situation. Thind was elected trustee but also won an MLA seat and will be disqualified when sworn in as MLA on November 19.
What is the Surrey Board of Education responsible for?
The Surrey Board of Education oversees B.C.'s largest school district, with more than 83,000 students across more than 130 schools and over 13,000 employees, according to the Indo-Canadian Voice. The board sets education policy, approves the district budget and hires the superintendent.
When is the board's next regular meeting?
The Surrey Board of Education's next regular meeting is December 9, 2026 at 7 p.m. at the District Education Centre, the Cloverdale Reporter reported. Residents can follow board decisions on the district's website.
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