Chilliwack resident announces new bid for SD33 trustee seat

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack Parent Advisory Council chair and inclusive education advocate Katie Bartel has announced she will be stepping down from her seat on the DPAC to once again run for a seat on the school district board.

“Serving as DPAC Chair has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” said Bartel. “[T]hat experience has only strengthened my belief that students deserve leadership that is collaborative, compassionate, and willing to show up and get to work.”

Her priorities for this campaign are “Safe Schools, Strong Supports, and Real Partnerships”, citing her years of advocacy work through school meetings and individualized education programs, including initiatives like the first district-funded extra-curricular Educational Assistant support in B.C.

“I’m a mom who learned how to navigate the education system by supporting my own three children. I know what it feels like to sit in hard meetings, ask for help and try to make sure your child is seen, understood and supported,” she said.

Bartel previously ran for an SD33 trustee seat in March 2025 against Laurie Throness.

She received 3,163 votes during that by-election.