A woman smiling and standing next to a brick wall with colorful graffiti.

Elect

Katie Bartel

For Chilliwack School Trustee

Safe Schools - Strong Supports - Real Partnerships

Every Student Belongs, Every Voice Matters.

Advocacy in to Action

Above all else, 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.

Along the way, I met many other families who were trying to do the same thing. Families who cared deeply about their kids, but felt overwhelmed, unsure where to turn, or unheard by the system. That is what first pushed me to step up and get involved in the Chilliwack School District.

For decades, I have supported parents through difficult conversations, advocated for safer and more inclusive schools, and worked to improve outcomes for students and families. I kept showing up because I believe public education works best when families are heard, students are supported, and problems are met with practical action.

I understand that schools are complex places. I also understand that when your child is struggling, complexity does not make the worry any easier. Families need trustees who can listen with compassion, understand how the system works, and help move concerns toward real solutions.

That’s why I’m stepping forward as a candidate for Chilliwack School Board Trustee.

I care deeply about kids, families, and public education. I believe every student deserves a place to learn, belong, and thrive, and I am ready to keep doing the work to help make that possible.

Donate for Safe Schools

A woman with curly dark hair smiling, wearing a pink blouse and black blazer, standing outdoors against a colorful graffiti wall.
A multigenerational family of six posing outdoors in a park, smiling and hugging each other. The group includes two adults, two teenagers, and two children, all wearing colorful casual clothing. There are green trees and grass in the background.
A woman with curly dark hair smiling, wearing a black blazer and pink blouse, with colorful abstract painting in the background.
A young woman with pink highlights in her hair, wearing a yellow jacket over a black jumpsuit, striking a confident pose with one arm raised and one hand on her hip, standing in front of a blue metal wall.
Group of five women hugging and smiling outdoors on a grassy area.
A family of six walking hand-in-hand outdoors on a forest path in autumn, surrounded by tall trees with fall foliage.
A woman with curly dark hair, wearing a pink blouse, black blazer, and jeans, standing on a sidewalk next to a blue building with a window box. She is smiling and has her hands in her pockets.
A woman with curly black hair smiling and sitting at an outdoor table.
A black and white photo of a woman with dark curly hair standing on a beach, with her hands in her pockets, looking to her left. The background features a body of water and a distant, blurry shoreline.
Five young girls hugging outdoors, smiling, and enjoying each other's company, with green foliage in the background.
Two smiling women, one wearing sunglasses, taking a selfie outside at a market or festival with tents and people in the background.
A woman with curly dark hair smiling in an outdoor setting with rocks and water in the background.
Black and white photo of a woman with curly hair smiling and embracing three young children outdoors near trees.

My Priorities

I’m running because Chilliwack families deserve trustees who understand the system, care about the people in it, and know how to turn advocacy into action.

Safe Schools

Students cannot learn and teachers cannot teach if they do not feel safe. Families and educators deserve schools where students are supported, valued, respected, and feel safe and ready to learn.

Strong Supports

Every student deserves the support they need to learn, participate, and truly feel like they belong at school and teachers and staff deserve the support they need to help students succeed.

Real Partnerships

Strong public schools are built through strong relationships, open communication, and real partnerships between families, educators, rights-holders and community partners. Schools work best when we work together to support students.

Proven Advocacy

A woman with curly dark hair wearing a pink blouse and black blazer leaning against a blue wall outside a brick building.

  • First-of-its-kind support
    Helped create BC’s first district-funded pilot for EA support in extracurricular activities, right here in Chilliwack.

  • District & Provincial parent voice
    Served as Chair of Chilliwack DPAC for many years and currently serving as Secretary of BCCPAC, representing parents locally and provincially.

  • Parent advocacy experience
    Supported families through school meetings, IEPs, transitions, and advocacy processes across the district and province.

  • Cooler, safer classrooms
    Helped secure district-funded air conditioning in every school portable across Chilliwack.

  • Accessibility and inclusion work
    Contributed to the City of Chilliwack Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee and the development of its Accessibility and Inclusion Plan.

  • Relationship-building
    Worked with families, district staff, and community partners to strengthen trust, communication, and elevate parent involvement in public education.

Donate for Strong Supports

I came to this work as a parent who needed the system to work better. I learned it, challenged it, and kept showing up to help make it better for other families too.

For years, I’ve advocated for students, families, and public education in Chilliwack and across BC. Now, I’m stepping forward as a trustee candidate to bring that experience to the board table.

  • "Katie stepped in with determination and compassion. She stood by my side at school meetings, helped me effectively advocate for my son, and ensured my voice as a parent was heard."

    —Lindsey

  • "I have had the privilege of having Katie sit by my side, encouraging me, holding me up and not allowing people “higher-up” to push me down or silence me."

    —Agnieszka

  • "Katie is not hesitant to hold people accountable to their actions and demands equality for all children. And she does this with finesse, poise and integrity."

    —Karine

  • “When we felt overwhelmed and didn’t know where to turn, Katie showed up. She helped us navigate the process, ask the right questions, and advocate for our child with confidence.”

    —Ryan

Donate for Real Partnerships

Close-up of a smiling woman with curly dark hair, wearing a light pink blouse and a dark blazer, against a black background.

Let’s Build Strong Schools Together

If you have ever sat at a school meeting hoping someone would listen, wondered how to get your child the support they need, or wished families had a stronger voice in public education, this campaign is for you.

If you believe Chilliwack schools should be inclusive, practical, family-centred, and focused on helping every student learn, belong, and thrive, I would be honoured to have your support.

Strong public schools do not happen by accident. They are built by people who care enough to show up.  Help make strong public schools a priority in Chilliwack.

Join the campaign!