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Hillsboro School District Director Position 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: Candidate must be a registered voter and a resident of the district for at least 1 year. Employees of the district are not eligible unless employed as a substitute driver. ORS 332.016 and 332.018(2)Term: 4 years

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    Yessica Hardin-Mercado
    (N)

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    Sidney S Thompson
    (N)

Biographical Information

What skills and experience do you bring to school board service?

What is your understanding of the District’s obligations to comply with federal and state education policies?

How would you address the issues facing the District’s schools that you consider the most urgent?

Town Where You Live Aloha
Your Experience/Qualifications I bring 15+ years in public education as a teacher, coach, and district leader. I’ve led efforts to improve school climate, expand access to student supports, and build stronger partnerships with families. As a parent and small business owner, I bring both systems knowledge and lived experience to help our schools thrive.
County Oregon
I bring over 15 years of experience in public education as a teacher, instructional coach, and district leader, working directly with students, educators, and families. I’ve led district-wide efforts to improve school climate, increase student engagement, and expand access to support services. I’ve managed budgets, developed policy, and built strong partnerships with youth, parents, and local organizations. I also run a local business focused on healthy homes, which deepens my understanding of family needs beyond the classroom. I know how to build trust, ask the right questions, and lead with transparency, collaboration, and a deep commitment to student success, fairness, and community voice.
The district is responsible for complying with federal and state education laws, including those related to academic standards, student rights, special education, and language access. Compliance requires more than following the rules, it means ensuring these policies are implemented effectively, consistently, and in ways that serve students well. As a former district leader, I understand how these obligations show up in classrooms, school operations, and community engagement. Board members play a critical role in oversight, asking the right questions, and ensuring policies are applied in ways that build trust and improve outcomes for all students.
One of the most urgent issues is making sure all students have the tools, instruction, and encouragement they need to succeed, especially in reading, math, and staying connected to school. I’ve worked with students, families, and educators to identify barriers and co-create solutions that reflect their real experiences. I would focus on strengthening academic support, improving how we use data, and building stronger bridges between schools and families. Students and families know what’s working and what’s not. We need to listen to them and act. As a board member, I will ensure that decisions reflect our community’s voice and move us forward with purpose.
Town Where You Live Hillsboro
Your Experience/Qualifications 28 years in education: teacher, administrator, leader
My entire career has been in education. I have been a classroom teacher, administrator, founding member/parent of a district magnet school, and innovative leader in preK - 12 interim assessment. I’ve seen first hand the challenges and opportunities in public schools. Currently, as Director of Assessment Content for an educational technology company, I focus on improving student outcomes in reading and math by providing actionable data to teachers. With this background I am passionate to provide student centered strategies, leadership, creativity, and a desire to foster strong partnerships so that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Our role as school board members is to support federal and state policy at the local level, establishing district policies based on those laws that governing public education. As district leaders this will need to include open discussion and transparency across the stakeholders (teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community members) who seek to provide the best learning environment for students.
Urgent issues facing Hillsboro schools are improving low academic student performance and building collaborative relationships between parents, teachers, and the district. We need to investigate evidence-based strategies that have worked in other states and districts to improve early literacy, reading, and math scores. And we need to strengthen our current success in Ninth Grade On-Track rates, ensuring students stay on track throughout high school. Finally, we need to build unity between parents, teachers, and the community through open communication, transparency of information, and searching for mutually supported solutions that keep student success at the center.