WEST KELOWNA · SCHOOL TRUSTEE CANDIDATE
Kasia Thesen
Every student deserves the opportunity to learn, belong, and thrive.
I’m running to help ensure Board priorities, budgets, and decisions support that purpose. Strong public education depends on students, educators, families, leadership, resources, and community working well together.
WHY I’M RUNNING
Strong schools depend on the people and supports around each student.
As a former teacher, current public-school parent, entrepreneur, and community volunteer, I bring several perspectives on what students and schools need.
Classroom learning depends on the people, resources, and decisions around it. I care about how those pieces work together.
I would listen carefully, review evidence, ask informed questions, and consider the wider effects of Board decisions.
As West Kelowna changes, we need to support staff, use resources responsibly, and plan for students’ current and future needs.
My purpose is to help ensure every student has the opportunity to learn, belong, and thrive.
MY PRIORITIES
Three lenses for thoughtful decisions
Not a list of promises — a way of looking at the decisions trustees are asked to make.
01
Learning & Opportunity
Keeping strong learning environments, student success and pathways beyond graduation at the centre of Board decisions, while paying attention to the supports students and the people working with them need.
02
People & Connection
Listening to students, families, educators and community partners, strengthening communication, and helping ensure different perspectives inform Board decisions.
03
Responsible Stewardship
Thoughtful oversight of resources, facilities and finances; supporting the successful delivery of current capital projects while continuing to plan and advocate for the needs of a growing Westside.
IF ELECTED
My initial focus as your trustee.
I would begin by understanding the budget and student-outcome evidence; examining Westside school transitions, transportation, and access to programs; and supporting clear public reporting on decisions and progress.
That means listening to those affected, preparing for Board decisions, and checking whether our work helps students. These commitments would guide how I contribute as one member of the Board.
Westside questions I would examine
Through conversations and district evidence, I’m paying particular attention to:
Growth, facilities & capital planning
Supporting the successful delivery of current projects, planning for future enrolment pressures, and continuing to advocate for educationally appropriate spaces as our community grows.
Student learning & supports
What is working, where gaps remain, and how resources reach classrooms.
Transportation
What the recent secondary schedule change means for students, families and district resources.
People & organizational health
The conditions educators and staff need to do their work well.
Responsible long-term planning
Connecting enrolment, facilities, finances and community growth.
Good governance means listening, understanding the evidence, weighing trade-offs and considering the system as a whole.
ABOUT KASIA
A few different seats at the table.
BC-certified educator · Parent · Entrepreneur · Community volunteer · Founder of Pebble Yoga & Mindfulness
My background has taken me through classrooms, small business, parent leadership, community work and wellbeing education. What ties those experiences together is a habit of looking at systems: how people connect, where friction shows up, what is sustainable, and how decisions made today shape what becomes possible tomorrow.
I don’t think trustees need to arrive with every answer. They do need to listen carefully, understand the role, ask strong questions, weigh trade-offs, and keep the whole system in view.
VOTING INFORMATION
West Kelowna votes October 17, 2026
General Voting Day: Saturday, October 17 · 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Advance voting: October 7, 13 and 15 · 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Advance voting location: West Kelowna City Hall
General voting locations: Glenrosa Elementary, West Kelowna City Hall, Constable Neil Bruce Middle and Hudson Road Elementary
What should the next Board understand better?
I’m listening. If there’s something working well, something creating unnecessary friction, or something you think trustees should see more clearly, I’d like to hear it.
How You Can Support
This campaign is about listening, learning, and connecting with our community. If you’d like to help, there are a few simple ways to get involved.
- Put Up a Lawn Sign. Help make the campaign visible across West Kelowna. If you’d like a lawn sign for your home or property, request one and I’ll arrange delivery.
- Share With Your Community. Share this website or my campaign posts with friends, neighbours, and others who care about our public schools.
- Lend a Hand. If you have a little time to help deliver signs, share campaign information, or support the campaign in another way, I’d love to hear from you.
Kasia Thesen for School Trustee · West Kelowna · School District No. 23
I respectfully acknowledge that I live, work and learn on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the syilx/Okanagan people.
Authorized by Kasia Thesen, financial agent, Kasia.thesen.4.school.trustee@gmail.com