VOTE411 Voter Guide

As a parent and as an educator, I have long felt frustrated by the lack of adequate support and resources for public schools. It is an injustice that moves me to advocacy, through conversations with legislators and support for legislation--from "out-of-the-box thinking" to identifying potential sources of consistent funding. Through my participation on Hillsboro SD bargaining teams, I understand the benefits of a fair collective bargaining agreement, and its value to the recruitment and retention of highly qualified educators. I have served on State and District Committees that examine best practices in instruction, and support educators in self-assessment and reflection on the effectiveness of their practices.

Federal policies mainly ensure non-discrimination and equitable access to education, which are integrated into state legislation and policies. We have yet to know how those policies will change with the dismantling of the U.S. DOE. Happily, most education standards (academic benchmarks, graduation standards) are set by the state. School Board members support the Superintendent in establishing an environment in which students can thrive as they move toward the studies, career, or life of their choice. It means retaining a highly effective staff. It requires a student-centered budget--one that prioritizes academics and student achievement, the development of social-emotional skills, and a safe environment for all.

For so long the most urgent issues in public education have been correcting factors hindering student achievement. The Quality Education Model is the agreed-upon blueprint for education, and we must adhere to that plan. It is not merely aspirational, it is the plan. The proposed dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education will only exacerbate the unfortunate financial status of the State of Oregon. Legislation should reinforce the stated goals from the Joint Ways and Means Co-Chairs: that "critical services be prioritized and that the 'dire impact on core programs and services' resulting from changes to Federal funding be recognized and the creation of new programs (and tax credits) must be avoided."

I serve on the school board and I'm proud that during my current term my colleagues selected me for the Chair position for 3 straight years and now the Vice-Chair position. During my tenure we've achieved the highest graduation rate in district history, passed a construction bond to improve every school, created student positions on the board, and hired a new superintendent. I've served on bargaining committees for both our Classified and Licensed unions, each of which concluded with 3 year agreements. Outside the board, after founding a software company working with MLB and NHL teams, I'm now on the legislative team for an Oregon State Senator, who (along with many other elected leaders) has endorsed me.

Of course I believe HSD needs to meet our state and federal obligations. Locally, ODE is currently working on new accountability requirements. There is also uncertainty around the attempts of the federal administration's struggle to both weaponize and eliminate the US Department of Education. Despite the implications in recent letters, the federal legal framework has not changed. The Oregon Department of Education, the Governor, and the Attorney General have all indicated as much in recent responses. HSD remains compliant and remains proud of things like our dual language and migrant education programs. Should federal requirements actually change, I expect my experience helping our district through challenging times will be an asset.

We need to address the mental health and behavioral challenges facing our students. After being out of classrooms for too long during the pandemic, the impacts continue to linger in our system. As a board member I've heard from both of our union partners that "work shouldn't hurt." I agree. Most basically, that means more caring adults in our classrooms. That, of course, is a budget issue. After years of disagreement about Current Service Level (CSL) funding, the Governor has stepped up and declared that the calculation was inadequate. I would also suggest that funding at CSL during an economic boom was a mistake. We should have been investing in our kids and not been so focused on providing the bare minimum from the previous year.