A potential familial relationship on the North Vancouver school district board is no cause for concern, according to trustee candidate Ian Young.
Young, 23, is running for a City of North Vancouver spot on the North Vancouver school board. His mother, Irene Young, has been secretary-treasurer of the school district for eight years.
If Ian wins, he and his mother would bring their similar DNA to board meetings, but the trustee candidate said there is no opportunity for a conflict of interest.
"If she was the superintendent that would be quite, quite different, but she's not," Young said. "She doesn't actually report directly to the board. . . the board interacts more with the superintendent. (The secretary-treasurer) makes her reports to him, and he reports to the board."
Irene agreed. "The superintendent negotiates my salary with me, so it's got nothing to do with the board," Irene said when asked about a possible conflict of interest.
"It's not something I hide," Young said of their relationship. "I have been spotted at events with her," he added with a laugh.
Irene became secretary-treasurer when Young was in his teens, a period when he said he oscillated between appreciating his mother's work and tuning it out.
While Irene was slightly taken aback by her son's decision to campaign for a position as trustee, Young said his mother encouraged him.
"She was surprised, but overall supportive," he said.
"He's always had a civic mind, I've certainly raised him that way," Irene said. As far as winning a seat on the board, Young said it's a gamble.
"I think it's sort of a roll of the dice," he said. "I think if there were fewer candidates I wouldn't have much of a chance, but with seven candidates in the running, I don't think anyone has any idea what's going to happen, just with all the vote-splitting that can occur."
Seven trustee candidates are running for three positions from the City of North Vancouver. Five candidates are vying for four slots from the District of North Vancouver. The seven successful candidates will serve together on the school board.
The election is scheduled for Nov. 19.
ALL-CANDIDATES' MEETINGS
A Mayor and Councillors Candidates' Meeting for the District of North Vancouver will be hosted by Edgemont and Upper Capilano Community Association Wednesday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m. at Highlands United Church, 3255 Edgemont Blvd. Info: James Walsh, 604-988-6318.
A Mayor and Councillors Candidates' Meeting for the District of North Vancouver will be hosted by the Association of Woodcroft Councils Thursday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m. in the Capilano Room, Capilano Building, 2024 Fullerton Ave. Info: Val Moller, 604-926-8063.
