West Vancouver Board of Education holds its first meeting of the new term on November 10

The five people elected to the West Vancouver Board of Education on October 17, 2026 hold their first public meeting on Tuesday, November 10, at 5:30 pm at the Board Office on 21st Street.

Felicia Zhu, Sheelah Donahue, Richard Loat, John Calimente and Karen Straith each made specific commitments during the campaign on school funding, literacy, mental health support and how schools handle technology. The November 10 meeting is the first chance for the public to hear from them as a board.

Who is on the new board

The five trustees were elected at large in West Vancouver's October 17 vote. School District 45, which the board runs, covers West Vancouver, Bowen Island and Lions Bay.

The preliminary vote count from the District's results, counted October 17, 2026, shows Felicia Zhu with 6,281 votes, Sheelah Donahue with 6,257, Richard Loat with 5,220, John Calimente with 5,216 and Karen Straith with 5,063. Those figures are preliminary. Seven candidates ran for five seats.

The promise tracker on this site records each trustee's campaign pledges and will record votes and decisions once the board begins its work.

What they promised on funding

All five trustees named provincial school funding as the central challenge facing the district. Each committed to pressing the province for more stable money.

Richard Loat wrote in his October 5, 2026 North Shore News Q&A answers that K-to-12 budgets must be protected, and that "core services should never depend on self-generated revenue." He also wrote that the district can find more money through international students, facility rentals and community partnerships.

Sheelah Donahue wrote in the same Q&A that she would continue to advocate for increased funding while keeping fiscal responsibility. Her campaign site says she would also work through the British Columbia School Trustees Association to push for more local flexibility in the provincial funding model.

John Calimente wrote that he would press for fair funding that meets the district's building and operating needs, and that he would look for savings in administration and facility rentals to stretch the budget further. Karen Straith wrote that she would advocate to the provincial government for "stronger, sustainable funding for public education."

Felicia Zhu wrote that she would advocate for stable provincial funding and responsible use of taxpayers' money. These are each trustee's own words from before the election. None of these commitments has yet been voted on by the new board.

What they promised on programs and literacy

Richard Loat wrote in his North Shore News answers that making literacy and numeracy rates in West Vancouver schools the best in the country is his first priority. His campaign platform adds that he would ensure high academic standards are met across all grades, expand programs in AI, robotics and cybersecurity, and support sports academies beyond the current eight.

Sheelah Donahue wrote that the board's 2027 strategic plan must make reading and math a priority, and also named mental health and a sense of belonging as goals for that plan.

John Calimente committed to expanding hands-on learning in science, technology and digital skills, strengthening language programs, and partnering with post-secondary schools and community groups on critical thinking and climate learning.

Karen Straith wrote that she would support a range of educational paths for students, so they leave school with skills for post-secondary study or a career.

Felicia Zhu wrote that she would advocate for new programs that prepare students for a fast-changing world of technology, and that AI brings new questions about learning, privacy and security.

What they promised on mental health and safety

John Calimente made school safety and mental health a central part of his campaign. He committed to increasing access to school counsellors and youth mental health resources, and to anti-bullying policies and practices that make schools safe. He also committed to pressing the District and the province for safer walking and cycling routes to schools.

Sheelah Donahue wrote that the 2027 strategic plan must prioritize mental health and a sense of belonging. Karen Straith wrote that she would work with the other trustees to make sure public funding goes to making schools safe places to learn and thrive.

Richard Loat committed to keeping the district's funding of student support services above provincial levels, covering students with individual education plans and those who need extra help with learning or mental health.

What they promised on technology

Three trustees named AI as a specific challenge for schools. Felicia Zhu wrote that she would support clear guidance and training so students and staff use new technology safely and with care. Richard Loat pledged to bring in new technology in a controlled but forward-looking way and to ensure the ethical use of AI. Sheelah Donahue wrote that strong safeguards must be in place for the use of AI.

John Calimente committed to upgrading labs, art rooms and libraries, and to green building improvements such as heat pumps and solar panels that cut costs and free up money for classrooms.

How to attend the November 10 meeting

The first public Board of Education meeting of the new term takes place at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the West Vancouver Schools Board Office at 1075 21st Street in West Vancouver.

The board holds a question and comment period near the beginning and end of every public agenda. The meeting is open to all residents.

No agenda has been published for November 10 as of November 8, 2026. The West Vancouver Schools meetings page at westvancouverschools.ca/about-wvs/meetings-minutes/ will carry an agenda when one is posted. The Board Office can be reached at 604-981-1000.

The next scheduled Board meeting after November 10 is December 8, 2026, also at 5:30 pm.