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
Contact Phone
5036028711
Town Where You Live
Salem, Oregon
Your Experience/Qualifications
Salem-Keizer School Board, 2021-Present
I have served on the Salem-Keizer School Board for four years. My personal and professional experience has been centered on children, youth, families, and the community.
My professional background ranges from the public sector in government and education to healthcare and nonprofit work. My previous experiences include being a substitute teacher in the district and a family educator in the Head Start program. I directed a youth program in the Willamette Valley and, during graduate school, provided behavioral health case management services for pregnant women with opioid dependence.
In my day-to-day work, I serve as a Partner Engagement Specialist for the Department of Early Learning and Care. I hold a Master of Social Work from PSU.
The district is responsible for following the legal and fiduciary obligations written out by or federal and state edcuation department. In addition, the board oversees reports and directs the district to make progress towards the board goals that include third- grade reading, sense of belonging, graduation rates, and regular attendance.
Schools and students continue to recover from the impact of loss of learning during the COVID pandemic. Our students need strong learning supports, they need to feel safe and welcome in schools and the encouragement of edcuators and our district to learn and graduate. Aditionally, educators need safe and supportive working environments to meet the wide range of students learning and behaviroal needs.
I will continue to seek progress towards the board established goals that clearly guide desired growth for students. With clear goals and measures, as a school board, we can invest time and resources into what matters most to meet students and educators needs.
I’m a Salem-Keizer graduate, Air Force veteran, parent of an SKPS student, tradesman, and former campus safety monitor at North Salem. I’ve seen firsthand what’s happening in our schools and bring a commitment to academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and safe, respectful learning.
The district must follow all applicable laws, of course. But following the law is not the same as doing what works. I believe we must go further, holding our schools accountable to the community by focusing on results that parents are rightfully demanding.
The most urgent issues are safety, discipline, and academic basics. I’ve seen what our staff are dealing with: disruptive behavior that makes it hard to teach or learn. I support clear behavior standards and school safety partnerships, including school resource officers, so staff feel supported and students stay focused. I’ll also push for a renewed focus on core academics like reading and math, and expand career and technical education. Students need real-world skills, not just theory, to succeed after graduation.
