When Shirley Wilson was first elected as a school trustee in 2005, she never expected to find herself beginning what would span more than two decades of service to the Abbotsford Board of Education.

Wilson placed fourth in a field of 16 candidates. When she realized she had unexpectedly won on her first attempt at elected office, she turned to her family and asked, “What do I do now?”

Twenty-one years later, Wilson knows exactly what she did: she hit the ground running, listened, learned, and absorbed as much information as she could.

Wilson is now the third-longest continuously serving trustee on the Abbotsford Board of Education. She is also a life member of the BC School Trustees Association and has received long-term service recognition from the Board of Education.

Throughout her years as a trustee, Wilson says listening has been at the heart of the work—listening to parents and community members, hearing from staff, and, most importantly, hearing directly from students.

“The issues weren’t always easy but knowing that the conversations would lead to a well-informed decision or action was always the goal,” Wilson said. “Hearing directly from our stakeholders is key to understanding the impact of our decisions, and those of the province. Knowing firsthand what is happening with our staff, students and families guides our discussions. How these decisions impact our community matters.”

Keeping students at the centre

Since first being elected, Wilson has worked with five superintendents, five secretary-treasurers and 17 fellow trustees. Over those years, budgets, policies, governance practices and strategic priorities have all evolved.

What has remained constant, she says, is the focus.

“Students are the north star.”

Over the years, Wilson has also helped thousands of families—including students, refugees, immigrants, newcomers, Indigenous families and long-time local residents—navigate the public education system.

For many families, understanding where to go, who to speak with and how to navigate the rules can be challenging.

“Guiding families through that maze has been one of the most rewarding parts of the job,” Wilson said.

A growing district

Wilson has seen considerable growth in Abbotsford’s public education system since she was first elected.
When she joined the Board in 2005, the district’s budget was approximately $120 million. For the 2026/27 school year, the budget is $307,199,707, serving approximately 21,000 students. Enrolment has grown and remained constant. Families stay in this district.

As enrolment has grown, so too has the need for infrastructure, facilities and resources.

Wilson says the district has worked to manage that growth while maintaining fiscal accountability and directing resources toward students.

“We have always worked to ensure we don’t overspend while at the same time providing quality education. We have been transparent and accountable.”

Building community partnerships

Wilson points to the district’s longstanding partnerships with the City of Abbotsford as
another important part of the community’s growth.

There are multiple joint-use agreements between the City and the district, including the recently named Léts’e mó:t, Léts’e th’á:le (One Heart One Mind) complex.

“These fields are no longer just numbers on a page,” Wilson said. “They reflect our community.”

Wilson recognizes the contributions of John Davidson, Sophie Schmidt, Terry Felix and Jim Latham, whose names and legacies have become part of Abbotsford’s community story, and are now names on our fields.

On September 22, the city and the district each approved a new joint-use agreement, continuing the partnership and sharing of resources for the benefit of the community.

Expanding childcare and early learning

Childcare spaces have continued to grow as provincial funding has expanded opportunities across the district.

New and expanded childcare initiatives include Auguston Traditional, Irene Kelleher, Godson Elementary, Dormick Park and other locations.

StrongStart BC Centres are now available at 13 elementary and neighbourhood school locations across the district. The Abbotsford Early Years Centre is housed at the Sweeney Neighbourhood Centre, adjacent to Abbotsford Senior Secondary School.

Investing in schools

Wilson says working with the provincial government has also allowed the district to increase capital development throughout Abbotsford.

During her time on the Board, the district has seen numerous new schools, additions and major capital projects, including:

Dormick Park Elementary — recently approved addition
Irene Kelleher Totí:ltawtxw
Auguston Traditional Elementary
Margaret Stenersen Elementary
Abbotsford Middle School
Abbotsford Traditional Middle School
Abbotsford Traditional Secondary School
Yale Secondary School
Abbotsford Senior Secondary School
Abbotsford Virtual School, transitioned from Philip Sheffield Elementary School
Bakerview Centre for Learning, transitioned from Bakerview Elementary School
Major seismic and flood-refurbishment projects have also included:
W.J. Mouat Secondary
Yale Secondary
Aberdeen Elementary
Alexander Elementary
Semá:th Elementary — seismic and flood refurbishment
Barrowtown — flood refurbishment

Looking back, Wilson says the people she has served alongside have been just as important as the buildings, budgets and policies.

“Twenty-one years is a long time, but when you look back at the people, the families, the students and the changes in our community, it goes by very quickly,” Wilson said. “For me, the goal has always been the same: listen, learn, and keep students at the centre of every decision.”

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