Gresham-Barlow School District Director Position 6 at Large Choose 1
There are 197 public school districts in Oregon, each governed by a board of education. School boards set goals, establish policies, oversee the performance of district schools, and negotiate contracts. The state Board of Education sets broader educational policies and standards that local schools are required to follow.Qualifications: A candidate filing for a zone position must be a registered voter in the zone. For at-large positions, candidate must be a registered voter in the district. Candidates must be resident of district for at least 1 year preceding the election. Candidates are elected districtwide.Term: 4 years
Biographical Information
Campaign Phone (public)
5039986618
Web Site (leave blank if not applicable)
http://www.togetherwithheathercolcox.com
Town Where You Live
Gresham
Your Experience/Qualifications
I am excited to run for the school board, leveraging my experience as Media Relations Director for Juneteenth Oregon and Secretary on the PDX Jazz Board, where I honed my advocacy skills. My background as a Network Engineer at Intel and a Master’s in Management Information Systems enables me to address educational challenges with innovative solutions. As a dedicated parent raising two children at Hogan Cedars ES, I am committed to ensuring every student in GBSD receives a quality education.
LWV Interview Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnQaA09jdLI&list=PLTj47qOhpKn1bkC0-EMQwFFQXyIlKEEEP&index=16
County
OR
Term
2025-2029
Term Expires
2029
What skills and experience do you bring to school board service?
As a former Engineer at Intel, I bring technical expertise and a Master’s in Management Information Systems to inform innovative educational solutions. As a grandparent raising two children attending Hogan Cedars ES, I stay informed about the successes and challenges our schools are experiencing. My interest in safety at school and on the bus lead me to meet with FirstStudent to ensure the concerns of our dedicated bus drivers are heard and resolved in School Safety Summits. By facilitating robotics training for young girls and serving on the Gresham Community Enhancement Committee, I focus on fostering partnerships between schools and the community, advocating for equitable learning environments that prepare every child for success.
What is your understanding of the District’s obligations to comply with federal and state education policies?
Oregon school districts have a legal obligation to comply with both federal and state education policies, including ensuring a free and appropriate public education for all students, including those with disabilities, in addition to adhering to civil rights laws to create a nondiscriminatory environment.
How would you address the issues facing the District’s schools that you consider the most urgent?
I consider budget constraints the urgent issue in our school district. However, we can explore several strategies. First, we should build partnerships with local businesses for resources and sponsorships and actively seek out nonprofit grants to boost funding for our programs. Collaborating with neighboring districts could help us share services and cut costs. We can also engage parents and the community in fundraising efforts to gather additional support. A thorough review of our budget can help reallocate funds more effectively, and we might consider flexible staffing solutions. Implementing blended learning models can save on expenses, while after-school and summer programs can generate extra revenue.
Biographical Information
What skills and experience do you bring to school board service?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What is your understanding of the District’s obligations to comply with federal and state education policies?
Candidate has not yet responded.
How would you address the issues facing the District’s schools that you consider the most urgent?
Candidate has not yet responded.