Ethel Lariviere

Climate Change, Heat, Fires, & the Environment

Urban Heat

Support facility and capital planning that considers extreme heat, wildfire smoke, air quality, ventilation, and cooling needs to help maintain safe learning environments.

Walking & Cycling

Support safe walking, cycling, and e-bike routes to schools, with clear safety expectations that align with provincial rules and SD23 guidance for e-bikes and e-scooters.

Climate Ready Schools

Support practical planning for heat, wildfire smoke, air quality, and other climate-related conditions to help maintain safe, healthy learning environments for students and staff.

School Waste Reduction & Sustainability

Support practical waste-reduction measures in schools, including accessible recycling and composting options that reduce waste and encourage responsible habits.

Culture & Events

Cultural Spaces & Venues

Support culturally appropriate Indigenous learning and gathering spaces in collaboration with the Indigenous Education Council, local Nations, and Indigenous Education staff.

Human Rights

Physical Accessibility

Support identifying and removing accessibility barriers in school facilities, programs, services, and activities so students with disabilities can participate as fully and safely as possible.

Trans Rights & Access to Public Services

Support safe, respectful and inclusive schools that uphold the BC Human Rights Code and SD23 policies protecting students from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

Local Government, Planning, & Democracy

Budgeting

Support transparent budgeting, responsible financial oversight, and careful use of public funds to keep resources focused on students, classrooms, and district priorities.

Good Governance

Support transparent, accountable and collaborative governance, with clear decision-making, responsible oversight, and meaningful consultation with those affected by Board decisions.

Long-Term Plan

Support long-term planning that responds to enrolment growth, school capacity, facility needs, and changing community needs, with strong advocacy for West Kelowna’s future school infrastructure.

Public Engagement

Support meaningful engagement with students, families, PACs, COPAC, staff, unions, and community partners so diverse perspectives are considered before significant Board decisions are made.

Youth Engagement

Support meaningful student voice in Board and school decisions by strengthening opportunities for students to share concerns, ideas and perspectives through the District Student Council.

Mental Health, Drugs, & Addiction

Mental Health in Schools

Support timely access to school based mental health and wellness supports, early intervention, and strong connections with families and community services when students need additional help.

Public Safety & Policing

Police in Schools

Support appropriate school liaison relationships with police that focus on student safety, prevention, education, and community connection, while respecting student rights and inclusive school environments.

Reconciliation & Indigenous Nations

Indigenous Schooling

Support meaningful partnerships with the syilx Okanagan Nation and Knowledge Keepers, culturally responsive education, and actions to close opportunity and graduation gaps for Indigenous students.

Schools & Public Education

After-School Programs

Support accessible, affordable after-school care through partnerships that prioritize student safety, quality programming, and consultation with families and school staff.

Artificial Intelligence in Schools

Support SD23’s responsible use guidelines for AI, focusing on digital literacy, critical thinking, privacy, equity, academic integrity, and safe, responsible use.

Bullying & Bigotry

Support safe, inclusive schools where bullying, harassment, discrimination, and hate are addressed promptly, fairly, and consistently, with appropriate supports for affected students.

Childcare

Support affordable childcare and before and after school care, including opportunities for qualified school district employees to provide programs, while allowing partnerships when they best meet family needs.

Indigenous Schooling

Support meaningful partnerships with the syilx Okanagan Nation and Knowledge Keepers, culturally responsive education, and actions to close opportunity and graduation gaps for Indigenous students.

Media Literacy & Critical Thinking

Support media literacy and critical thinking so students can assess information, recognize misinformation, consider different perspectives, and use digital media responsibly.

Mental Health in Schools

Support timely access to school based mental health and wellness supports, early intervention, and strong connections with families and community services when students need additional help.

Neurodivergent Students & Support

Support inclusive learning environments with timely, appropriate supports for neurodivergent students, so they can participate fully in learning, school activities, and field trips when safe and appropriate.

Police in Schools

Support appropriate school liaison relationships with police that focus on student safety, prevention, education, and community connection, while respecting student rights and inclusive school environments.

Student Involvement & Engagement

Support meaningful student voice in Board and school decisions by strengthening opportunities for students to share concerns, ideas, and perspectives through the District Student Council.

Financial Literacy, Real-World Skills & Dual Credit.

Support practical financial literacy, real-world learning, and expanded dual-credit opportunities in areas such as trades, business, and technology to help prepare students for life after graduation.

Device Guidelines & Responsible Technology Use

Support clear, consistent expectations for student device use that protect learning time, reduce distractions, and maintain appropriate access for safety and educational needs.

West Kelowna Growth & School Capacity

Advocate for long-term school planning that keeps pace with West Kelowna’s growth, prioritizes permanent classroom space, and reduces reliance on portables where possible.

Safe & Reliable Transportation

Support safe, reliable student transportation with stable routes, clear communication, and meaningful consultation when changes affect students, families, and staff.

School Waste Reduction & Sustainability

Support practical waste-reduction initiatives in schools, including accessible recycling and composting options that encourage responsible habits and reduce unnecessary waste.

Climate Ready Schools

Support practical planning for heat, wildfire smoke, air quality, and other climate-related conditions to help maintain safe, healthy learning environments for students and staff.

Fiscal Responsibility & Accountability

Support transparent budgeting, responsible financial oversight, and careful review of administrative spending so available resources remain focused on students, classrooms, and district priorities.

Biography

submitted by the candidate or their team
I am a West Kelowna resident with 20+ years in finance, accounting, governance, and community service. I studied Business Administration, majoring in Accounting, and am completing an MBA in Advancing Reconciliation at UVic, with direct experience in public education.

I have direct experience in public education, having worked as an Indigenous Student Advocate in elementary schools and as an Indigenous Cultural Program Coordinator supporting students and families across the Central Okanagan school district. I have also served as Treasurer of the Mount Boucherie Secondary School PAC.

My professional background includes more than 20 years in finance and accounting, with experience in budgeting, financial oversight, organizational accountability, non-profit work, and governance. I studied Business Administration, majoring in Accounting, and I am currently completing an MBA in Advancing Reconciliation at the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business.

My family and I live in West Kelowna, and I have a granddaughter currently attending secondary school in the district. Public education is both professionally and personally important to me.

I am running to bring my experience in education, finance, governance, and community service to the Board while keeping students at the centre of decision-making.

Students First. Strong Schools. Strong Communities.

Reason for running

submitted by the candidate or their team
I'm running for School Board Trustee to put students first and bring my experience in education, finance, governance and community service to the Board. My focus is student success, responsible oversight, growth planning, safe schools, engagement, and reconciliation in action.

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