Meet Your Trustee Candidates, Part 1
John Calimente, Sheelah Donahue and Richard Loat
Editor's Note: The Watershed has contacted all the current candidates running in the upcoming Municipal Election to give them the opportunity to answer a few questions. All the candidates were offered the same questions (apart from those which differ to reflect the experience of candidates who have not held office before). The candidates for School Trustee who responded to our questions will be profiled in a two-part series, starting below..
Candidate John Calimente
Why are you seeking office as a school trustee?
As a West Vancouver public school parent and Parent Advisory Council (PAC) member, I am invested in the long-term success, safety, and well-being of the students in our school district. My wife and I have lived in West Vancouver for the past 10 years. I know the school district well because I worked at the District of West Vancouver for seven years as a transportation planner and led the District’s first pedestrian network plan, which prioritized safe routes to schools.
I would like to ensure that West Vancouver schools maintain their tradition of academic excellence while dealing with fiscal challenges by optimizing administrative budgets and fostering strong community partnerships. I bring strategic governance, evidence-based policy planning, and collaborative leadership to ensure our classrooms remain safe, innovative, and inclusive.
What other similar experience do you have to offer?
I bring extensive experience in public sector policy development, board leadership, and collaborative planning. Professionally, I work as a municipal urban planner. I have many years of experience in transportation planning, policy planning, and navigating complex regulatory environments with transparency. I also serve on the PAC at École Cedardale with other parents working to support school initiatives and student needs.
I have served on numerous community and non-profit boards, including the West Vancouver Historical Society, the West Vancouver Community Arts Council, and the British Columbia Cycling Coalition. These roles have provided me with the experience to build consensus and advocate effectively.
What do you bring to the table for students, teachers and parents in the district?
I bring transparent communication, accessibility, and clear accountability. I offer an evidence-based approach to decision-making that listens to parent feedback, clarifies fiscal choices, and ensures every family feels heard and valued. I will also advocate for equitable funding and the classroom resources necessary to support teachers in delivering top-tier instruction. For students, I will focus on school safety, both in the classroom and on the way to school. As well, I believe that schools should continue to empower students with the skills for a rapidly changing world and achieve this through an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
More about John Calimente HERE.
Incumbent Candidate Sheelah Donahue
How long have you currently held the position of school trustee?
I am seeking re-election because students in Lions Bay, Bowen Island and West Vancouver deserve an excellent education filled with opportunities that prepare them for the paths they choose in life. I was first elected in 2014 and have proudly advocated for our students and communities during my time on the Board. As one of only two incumbents on the ballot, I believe it is important that the Board combines experience with new voices. I want to help ensure strong succession planning and continue our tradition of community-based, fiscally responsible and transparent governance focused on student achievement, innovation and excellence.
What other similar experiences do you have to offer?
I currently serve as Vice-Chair of the Board, Chair of the Human Resources Committee and Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee. I am also Secretary of the Metro Branch of the BC School Trustees Association and serve as a liaison to numerous education and community organizations. Before becoming a trustee, I was Rockridge PAC Co-Chair and District PAC President. My years in the insurance industry gave me valuable experience in risk management, while serving on youth sports boards involving Lions Bay families has given me an appreciation for the village’s unique character and the important role the school plays as a community hub.
What do you bring to the table for students, parents and teachers in the district?
I bring years of experience, a respectful and inclusive approach, and a strong commitment to teamwork and good governance. Trustees are responsible for working together to set direction and support strategic planning on behalf of students, families and staff. I work to foster a culture of excellence that provides students with strong academic programs and well-designed supports for diverse learners and students learning English. I also bring an appreciation for Lions Bay and the importance of ensuring its parent voices are heard in district decision-making.
I ask for your vote on October 17th, or at one of the advance polls, so I can continue this work on your behalf and ensure that the board's priority continues to be the pursuit of excellence in education for all students.
Please visit www.sheelahdonahue.com to learn more or to reach out to me directly.
Candidate Richard Loat
Why are you seeking office as a school trustee?
As someone that graduated from West Vancouver Schools and benefited from our public education I see this as my opportunity to give back and serve. I have two young children, the eldest of whom starts kindergarten in West Vancouver next year, and I want to put my energy and experience to ensuring all Lions Bay, West Vancouver and Bowen Island children are afforded the world-class education we offer in our school district.
I also think it’s important to have school trustees that are connected to our school system, with children at our schools.
I am seeking office to ensure our school board remains open minded, has a renewed energy, and continues to provide leadership that always puts what is best for students, at the centre of every decision.
What other similar experience do you have to offer?
Our school board is responsible for a school district with $100 million budget and more than 1,000 staff. It is important to remember a trustee's role is one of governance. Our role is to set the strategic direction for the school district, balance the budget, and ensure the superintendent is delivering on said vision.
To that end, I have held different governance roles, most recently serving as a Director for the Board of the West Vancouver Foundation and currently serving as a Director for Triathlon Canada and Vice Chair for the North Shore Lifeboat Society.
Professionally, my background is in corporate operations, having managed staff teams of up to 500 people and with responsibility for budgets up to $1 billion. I think the combination of operational and fiscal oversight, paired with my governance experience, positions me to be a successful trustee.
With that said, my experience doesn't mean I have all the answers. I know there is going to be a steep learning curve and I believe my background positions me to quickly and successfully transition into the role of a trustee.
What do you bring to the trustee table for students, teachers and parents in the district?
School districts are complex organizations and West Vancouver Schools has worked hard to ensure students, parents, and teachers are supported.
To parents, I want to support parental voice. I want to be approachable and guide them to the channels where their feedback, concerns, and ideas are heard and actioned.
For students, I will always strive to ensure they receive the best academic experience possible. Academic excellence — numeracy and literacy — remain the top priority. However, I also want to ensure we continue to create pathways for students to explore whether that is through academics (IB & AP), sports academies, STEM (eg. robotics, cyber security), our trades programs, or the arts. We know the world is a rapidly changing place and we want to support you to be career-ready, world-ready and future-ready citizens.
And for teachers, I am committed to maintaining and fostering a culture that makes teachers feel supported. Teachers are the lifeblood of the academic experience, and creating a culture that supports teachers is what gives our students the best education possible.
More information can be found at Richard Loat's website, HERE.
The remaining candidates who responded to The Watershed's questions will be profiled in Part Two of this series.
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