Every position I take starts with the same question: what does this decision mean for a child's future?
A school district is more than a budget or a set of buildings. It's where children learn to read, find what they're good at and prepare for what comes next, whether that's university, college, a trade or a career here at home. If a decision doesn't help that child, I'm not interested in making it.
That's why my policies share three principles.
1. Every dollar reaches the classroom.
Public money is a trust. As an accountant, I believe in clear numbers, independent review and spending that matches what families and staff need. Budget stability isn't a luxury. It's what lets a teacher plan a year and a child count on support.
2. Build for the children we have, and the children coming.
As a licensed builder, I know a good plan has a realistic budget, a timeline and someone accountable for delivering it. Growth gets approved at City Hall, so schools can't be an afterthought. I'll work with Kamloops City Council on new subdivision planning and with the province so children have real classrooms, not portables, in their own neighbourhoods.
3. An inclusive school is a mission, because every student belongs.
Every child deserves to be seen, supported and challenged, including children who need an educational assistant, a literacy boost or a path that doesn't look like everyone else's.
I believe in plain talk, careful planning and finishing what I start. I'm a parent with a child in SD73, a district graduate and a lifelong Kamloops resident, and I want our schools to give every child a strong start and a real future here.
Jimmy Johal, Johal4Schools
Biography
I was born and raised in Kamloops, and I'm a proud SD73 graduate. I was student council vice president at NorKam in 1996-1997, my grad year. Today I have a child in the same district that shaped me.
I'm an accountant, licensed builder, businessman and business consultant. I spent years as a regional operations manager for Petro-Canada, where I put together real budgets and maintenance plans and taught thousands of employees. I know what it takes to run a large operation, keep buildings in good shape and make every dollar count.
I'm also the founder of Your Ideas Media, which keeps me close to what families in this community are talking about.
What I'll focus on
- Every dollar reaches the classroom. I'll push for an independent, line-by-line review of the budget so families and staff can count on stability.
- Real classrooms, not portables. Growth is approved at City Hall, so I'll work with Kamloops City Council on new subdivision planning and with the province to get schools built where children actually live.
- Capital priorities that match need. Projects like Aberdeen Secondary deserve a plan, a budget and a timeline.
- Support where children need it. Educational assistant shortages should be fixed, not managed.
- Inclusive schools. Every student belongs, and every child's future depends on what we build for them today.
My pledge
If elected, I will donate $5,000 annually from my school trustee remuneration to establish a bursary supporting SD73 graduates as they pursue post-secondary education, including university, college and trades training.
I'm a parent, a graduate and a builder who wants SD73 to work for every child in Kamloops. I'd be honoured to earn your vote.
Jimmy Johal, Johal 4 Schools
Reason for running
I'm running for School Trustee because I believe the decisions our board makes today decide what our children's futures look like tomorrow.
I'm a parent with a child in SD73. I'm also a lifelong Kamloops resident, a district graduate, a licensed builder and an accountant. I see our schools as a parent, and I see them the way someone who has managed budgets, maintenance plans and construction projects sees them.
Here's what I see. Our schools are growing faster than our plans. Too many children are learning in portables. Families and staff want budget stability and the support their children need, including enough educational assistants. Growth gets approved at City Hall, so solving this means working with the City and the province, not just asking Victoria for help after the fact.
That's where I can make a difference. I'll push for an independent, line-by-line budget review so every dollar reaches the classroom. I'll bring a builder's eye to capital planning, with realistic costs and timelines. And I'll keep one question front and centre: what does this decision mean for a child's future, including the careers and opportunities waiting for them after graduation?
I also put my money where my mouth is. If elected, I will donate $5,000 annually from my school trustee remuneration to establish a bursary supporting SD73 graduates as they pursue university, college and trades training.
I believe an inclusive school is a mission, because every student belongs. I'd be honoured to earn your vote.
Jimmy Johal, Johal 4 Schools
jimmyjohal.com jimmyjohal.com