Name: Preet Rai
Party affiliation (if any): None
Education: Chartered Accountant (India)
Occupation: Auditor for Government of BC.
Previous political experience: Elected Trustee for two terms in 2008 and 2011.
Residency (city/neighbourhood): Abbotsford
Community involvement: Community Involvement (Past & present)
· The Reach Board
· Literacy Matters Board
· Community of Character Board
· Abbyfest Board
· MSA Museum Board
· Cycling for Diversity
· Sister City Committee
· Abbotsford Youth Commission
· Canuck Place Campaign Executive Committee (for fund raising of the new Canuck Place Hospice)
· Organizer of Abby Fest volunteers.
· Chair of the finance committee for the school district
Marital status/children: Married and three children
Email: raiaji@telus.net
Social media: facebook – reelect Preet Rai
What do you feel are two key education-related issues Abbotsford voters should be considering when choosing trustee representatives in this civic election?
Why, and what would you do to address these issues?
I am thankful to the administrators, teachers, support staff in helping the district achieve new heights and due to their hard work and dedication we as a district are leading the province in many areas. However, there is always room for improving educational experiences for our children.
I have been serving on the Board of Education for the last six years as a school trustee. There are a number of things that the school district is working on to further improve and provide excellent education to our kids. The two areas that I think we need to further focus on are 21st century individualized learning and how to be more flexible and have more choice available.
Technological innovations have been developing at a rapid pace. It is time to take advantage of this and while many resources and supports are available for students, we can always be further working on the needs of students and the staff. We can ensure that students have the tools to learn at their own pace, a pace that they feel comfortable at and which maximizes their individual learning capacities. We can work on educating them towards careers that they will excel in and ultimately ensure their individual learning success.
All students should have the opportunity and flexibility to access programs and services of their choice. We have Integrated Arts schools, traditional schools, trade programs, various languages being offered, academies like hockey, aviation available as choices. These successful programs plus more choices reflecting the needs of students should be available. Creating a broad learning environment goes a very long way in ensuring that every single student is successful.
I look forward, with your support to continue to serve the students and citizens of Abbotsford as a School Trustee.