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 must be a registered voter in the zone and resident of the district for at least 1 year preceding election. Candidates are elected districtwide.Term: 2 years (incomplete term)
Town Where You Live
Portland
I think it's the board's responsibility to help set the school district's vision and mission and to work with the superintendent to ensure they have the support and resources to operationalize that mission via a transparent, tracked tactical plan.
1. Student achievement
2. Aggressive funding initiatives
3. Getting rid of the budget fog
4. Educator empowerment
My full platform is found here: https://www.populistconsensus.com/cavagnolo/full-platform
Portland Public Schools is spending billions on new buildings — but inside those classrooms, students are falling behind in reading, math, and science. I will compel a relentless focus on teaching and learning in vibrant classrooms with inspired students motivated to achieve — high-dose tutoring, early literacy, learning to learn, more teachers (smaller classes), and research-backed programs.
PPS presents massive budget books that are hundreds of pages long, with complex tables and government jargon. I will lead the creation of a simpler, transparent, tracked budget that allows PPS to redirect wasted funds back to classrooms and inform creative financing—micro-bonds, emergency loans, energy performance contracting, misappropriated taxes.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Town Where You Live
Portland
Your Experience/Qualifications
Former teacher; career as a legislative advocate; PTA leader; school volunteer; constitution team coach
County
Multnomah
Term
Two Years
Term Expires
June 2027
A school board member hires and evaluates the superintendent, and informally serves as an advisor. They approve budgets and collective bargaining agreements. They develop and pass district policy. School board members also have a role in directing internal audits and otherwise holding the district accountable. Finally, school board members are liaisons between the public and the district and between the district and entities like the Legislature.
It is most critical to me that we meet district goals and expectations around equity and racial justice. Historic and recent treatment of kids, families, and communities of color demonstrates that this focus must remain priority #1. As part of that work and in general, I will listen to students, families, teachers, administrators, and support staff – and bring their concerns and ideas to the board and district leadership. Rebuilding trust in the district and our schools is critically important to keeping Portland kids in their neighborhood schools and teachers in their classrooms. Finally, I will bring my legislative and in-school experience to advocate for what our students, teachers, and staff need to succeed.
Underfunding and declining enrollment are two major issues facing our district. Building on work that I have already been doing for the past two years, I will help organize parents and community members to push for more state funding - an effort that may take years but is crucial for improving outcomes. Related to underfunding is the issue of declining enrollment. In some cases, it's demographic shifts - but in other cases, it's losing parents and families to private schools. We can improve outreach to incoming families to show them why neighborhood schools are a great choice for families. I helped launch a minigrant program to build bridges between current and prospective families, something I'd like to take district-wide.
