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Not a single independent candidate running for office at the 麻豆传媒映画School Board was elected during the last municipal election, but this hasn't discouraged five indie trustee wannabees from trying.

A total of 20 candidates are hoping to win one of nine school trustee seats, and three quarters of them are affiliated with one of Vision Vancouver, the NPA, COPE or the Greens. Despite the clout offered from being in a party slate, independent candidate Misha Lauenstein said he prefers running alone.

"When I first decided to run, I did some research on the various issues and the parties' stands on them, and concluded that my own opinions did not line up precisely with any of them," said Lauenstein, a blogger and former school board IT supervisor. "I also spoke to many people who supported one party or another and on some issues I agreed with them and others I didn't. For example, some NPA candidates have come out against the advocacy that the current board is very proud of."

Bang Nguyen, a retail worker and father of three who volunteers coaching sports at both Beaconsfield elementary and 麻豆传媒映画Technical secondary, said that party politics can interfere with ensuring responsible school board decisions and community engagement.

"It's time for your regular Vancouverite to be part of the everyday decision makings for the city," said Nguyen, who is also running for city council. "I'm tired of hearing these politicians flip-flopping on important decisions. We need to let them know that the corruption and laziness needs to end. Money needs to [be] spent wisely."

Nguyen isn't the only independent running in two separate races at the same time. Peter Haskell is also campaigning in the parks board election, but his primary issue for schools concerns the charity group United Nations of Canada being allowed to speak to students.

"This association does not allow the public to attend or know what is being discussed in their monthly meetings," said Haskell, who also thinks schools could be doing more to help the homeless. "If this association decides to become part of the United Nations, have democratic and egalitarian values, and hold itself accountable to the public of Canada, presentations in our public schools would have merit but until then such presentations are simply propaganda opportunities for a clique of insiders."

Lily Harvey, an immigration consultant with an MBA from Royal Roads University, gave the following brief response to an email from the Courier asking why she chose to run as an independent: "Lily's Pledge: Inspire! Encourage! Empower! Enable!"

Robert Stark was the only candidate not to respond. Stark describes himself on his 麻豆传媒映画Votes candidate profile as "a citizen dedicated to defending the public interest by exposing corruption and waste by public officials."

Twitter: @flematic