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Election 2014: Preet Rai seeks third term as trustee

School District 34: Incumbent has been on the Abbosford board of education for six years - Trustee candidate
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Preet Rai

Abbotsford school trustee Preet Rai has announced he will run for a third term in the upcoming municipal election.

Rai has been on the Abbotsford board of education for six years.

A chartered accountant from India, he immigrated to the United Kingdom in 1992 and worked for the Scottish government.

He moved to Canada in 1995 and has been working for the provincial government since 1997.

His wife is a teacher and they have three children, all of whom have attended or attend public schools.

Rai's mother was also a teacher and his father retired as a colonel from the Indian Army.

Rai's community involvement is not limited to his role as a school trustee.

He has served on the Community of Character Council, the Abbotsford Youth Commission, Cycling for Diversity, the Sister City committee, the Canuck Place campaign executive committee, the South Asian Taskforce for Canuck Place, and the boards of AbbyFest, MSA Museum, The Reach Gallery and Literacy Matters.

Rai said he has always taken a keen interest in community, social and cultural activities.

In his time as a trustee, he said he has particularly enjoyed visiting schools throughout the district.

"I have relished reading to kindergarten students and answering well-thought-out questions by middle and high school students. Being in a cold dunk tank on sports days was chilly at the time, but it is warm memories now."

Rai said he has witnessed the pride that students have shown at AbbyFest, the annual Heritage Fair and other community events.

"(This) in turn gives me energy and keeps me focused on looking into best opportunities to prepare students to reach their full potential and be successful," he said.

Rai said he believes strongly in the school district's "strategic direction focusing on student success with individual learning, choice and parent involvement."