Nash Milani Announces Candidacy for SD43 School Trustee By-Election

Following Jennifer Blatherwick’s election as MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville in October 2024, a vacancy has opened on the SD43 School Board. Nash Milani, a recent graduate with younger siblings still attending SD43 schools, has announced his candidacy for the by-election scheduled for Saturday, February 22.

Milani says his motivation to run stems from the significant changes he witnessed in the school system due to COVID-19, as well as the inspiration he found in seeing youth candidates in the last provincial election. He believes he can offer a much-needed student perspective on the board.

He points out that the average age of school board trustees is over 50 and argues that students should have a stronger voice in decision-making—not just parents and teachers.

While primarily focused on K-12 issues, Milani is also a strong advocate for making post-secondary education more affordable. He supports the idea of free post-secondary education across Canada.

Milani commends SD43’s Student Services transition planning program, noting that through his siblings, he has seen it improve over the years. He believes the district does a strong job of preparing students for both post-secondary education and careers in the trades.

Regarding school policies, Milani agrees with SD43’s stance that “no student should be under the influence of, or in possession of, alcohol and/or drugs on school property.” However, he believes nicotine products, such as vapes, should also be explicitly included under this policy.

Milani is a strong supporter of Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) groups in high schools and would like to serve as a liaison between district GSAs and the school board.

On the topic of sanctuary schools, Milani believes that every child deserves an education, regardless of immigration status, and supports implementing a sanctuary school policy in SD43.

He also advocates for better integration between schools and community centers, citing Pinetree Secondary School’s partnership with its adjoining community center as a model. He argues that many high schools have facilities—such as gymnasiums, weight rooms, and science labs—that remain unused in the evenings and could be put to better use.

Milani proposes integrating International Sign Language as an optional language course within the school system. He also raises concerns about the future of artificial intelligence in the classroom, suggesting that the district must carefully consider its role in education.