Shah focuses on safety, staff support

In the weeks leading up to the Oct. 16 Brandon School Division trustee byelection, the Sun will interview the seven candidates on their platforms and why they are running.

Brandon School Division trustee candidate Himanshu Shah says his top priority is making schools safer and more supportive for students, teachers and families.

“When kids leave home in the morning, parents should not be wondering if they’ll come back safe,” he said. “That’s my priority.”

Shah has lived in Brandon since 2011 and works in public health services. Like other candidates, he has a personal connection to the division. A father of two boys, ages nine and 11, he has been involved with Maryland Park School’s parent council and stays in close contact with teachers, educational assistants and other parents.

He said those conversations, along with his own children’s experiences, pushed him to step forward.

“I’ve worked in community health for years, and I see how important schools are to families,” Shah said. “Parents want their children safe and supported, and teachers want the tools to do their jobs without being overwhelmed.”

Shah is one of seven candidates vying for a single trustee seat in the Oct. 16 byelection. He faces Laura Armitage, Bonnie-Lynn Mills, Michael Grantham, Eren Oleson, Shawna Mozdzen and Henry Sieklicki.

On the safety front, he supports the division’s creation of safety advisory committees but would also like to see additional measures — such as speed controls around school zones and year-round reduced speed limits — to improve safety outside school walls.

Another key issue for Shah is teacher and staff support. He said that overcrowded classrooms and overextended teachers make it harder to meet students’ needs.

“Teachers are the backbone of education,” he said. “But they need smaller class sizes, more educational assistants and fair workloads. EAs also deserve more hours, especially if they can help cover things like lunch programs.”

The strain on volunteer-run lunch programs across Brandon schools is also one of the concerns raised by parent councils, he said, adding the division and provincial government need to step in with more funding.

“Right now, it depends too much on volunteers who are already stretched thin. Some families also can’t afford fees, and it’s not fair that children miss out on lunch activities or have to rush home. Every student should have access.”

Looking ahead, Shah says school space must be part of the conversation. With Brandon’s growing population, he supports the push for a fourth high school and more elementary classrooms. He also believes funding for resources such as library books, extracurricular activities and specialized programs should be a priority.

Funding is the biggest challenge, but trustees must keep pressing the provincial government, he said.

“The funding model needs to reflect the size and needs of Brandon today. We need more teachers, more space and better resources for students.”

Though his campaign launched in a short window, Shah said community support has been strong. Originally from India, he said he feels embraced not only by Brandon’s Indian community but by many cultural groups across the city.

“Brandon is my home,” he said. “The support from friends, neighbours and other parents has been incredible. People know I want to be that voice for families and teachers inside our schools.”

Advance polls will be open on Oct. 8 in the main foyer at city hall from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Oct. 11 in the Pioneer Lounge at the Keystone Centre from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Election day is Oct. 16, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at various locations across the city. A full list of voting sites is available at brandon.ca.

The byelection was triggered after Blaine Foley resigned in March. The next general school board election is scheduled to take place on Oct. 28, 2026, coinciding with the municipal elections.

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