Skip to content

Langley Board of Education sworn in

Trustee Rob McFarlane takes over as board chair by acclamation
13119langleySchoolboardswearinginDec8
Newly-elected school trustee Shelley Coburn is sworn in by Judge Kenneth D. Skilnick at the Langley Board of Education’s inaugural meeting

The new Langley Board of Education was sworn in, while family and friends made up the audience at the inaugural meeting on a rainy Monday night.

Provincial court judge Kenneth D. Skilnick had each of the seven trustees take an oath. This was followed by each newly-elected board member taking the time to thank supporters, family and friends.

Trustee Megan Dykeman nominated Trustee Rob McFarlane to be board chair. With no other nominations, he was voted in by acclamation.

Newly-elected trustee David Tod nominated Dykeman to be vice-chair, which she won by acclamation.

Most of the trustees spoke of the challenging road ahead for Langley School District with the need for a high school and the long term facilities plan.

“I’ve served as a trustee for 15 years and we have faced different issues over the years,” said Trustee Alison McVeigh.

“The district is on a brand new journey and the road ahead is uncertain but we are up for the challenge.”

With Minister of Education Peter Fassbender in the audience, incumbent trustee Rod Ross couldn’t resist bringing him into his speech.

“There will be a lot of changes in Langley so it’s great to see the minister of education here. Hope he wrote a cheque,” Ross joked.

New Langley City Trustee Shelley Coburn is the mother of Fassbender’s grandchildren, and he was there to support her.

Other trustees commented on how well Langley School District is doing and how far it has come.

“We are blessed with a strong foundation,” said McFarlane.



Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
Read more