A lot of education advocacy in the Legislature involves helping legislators understand the intricacies and issues of Oregon’s school system.
Not every bill that affects schools lands before legislators who have been immersed in education jargon and history. We spend a lot of time meeting with legislators and sharing data with them, even handing out quick cards of useful information.
Education advocates are fortunate, though, to have a committee in each chamber dedicated solely to education. Those committees are staffed with legislators who have seen education issues from the inside out.
Senate Education Committee
- Sen. Lew Frederick, committee chair, D-Portland: Frederick’s grandparents ran a one-room schoolhouse in Missouri, and he was part of desegregating his high school in Georgia. He was the director of public information for Portland Public Schools for 13 years and a television reporter covering education and science. A longtime public education champion, he was on the Joint Committee on Student Success that set up the 2019 Student Success Act.
- Sen. Suzanne Weber, committee vice-chair, R-Tillamook: Weber taught first through third grades for 30 years. She relates that the Tillamook sheriff was one of her first grade students.
- Sen. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro: Sollman was a Hillsboro School Board member from 2009 to 2017, and she still serves on the Career and College Pathways Steering Committee. She is the proud parent of two educators.
- Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, D-Corvallis: Gelser Blouin served on the Corvallis School Board from 2001 to 2006. First elected in the House, she chaired the House Education Committee for three sessions. Gelser Blouin is a passionate defender of the rights of students with special needs.
- Sen. Noah Robinson, R-Cave Junction: Robinson is the son of former Sen. Art Robinson. He was homeschooled along with all his siblings before earning a doctorate in chemistry. With his family, he is involved in home school curriculums.
House Education Committee
- Rep. Courtney Neron, committee chair, D-Wilsonville: Neron has taught French, Spanish, world languages, reading and special education in schools around Oregon. She has made providing adequate and stable school funding and eliminating unfunded mandates (or “Financially Unsupported Education Requirements” as she calls them) her legislative mission.
- Rep. April Dobson, committee vice chair, D-Happy Valley: Dobson serves on the North Clackamas School Board and has three children in the public school system with diverse needs.
- Rep. Emily McIntire, committee vice chair, R-Eagle Point: McIntire is on the Eagle Point School Board. She was a substitute instructional assistant when her children were younger and says she often looks at school issues through the lens of her children and their friends.
- Rep. Darin Harbick, R-Eastern Lane County: Harbick served 14 years on the McKenzie School Board and was a woman’s basketball coach at a small college in Eugene.
- Rep. Zach Hudson, D-Gresham: Hudson has been a teacher in Multnomah County schools since 2005 and teaches special education when the Legislature is not in session.
- Rep. Hoa Nguyen, D-Damascus: Nguyen is on the David Douglas School Board. She has worked in education for almost 15 years and is a student and community engagement specialist at the Clackamas Education Service District. She was the eldest daughter of immigrant refugee parents and had to translate at her siblings’ school meetings.
- Rep. Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham: Ruiz was the first in his family to graduate from high school, and he served on the Reynolds School Board.
- Rep. Boomer Wright, R-Coos Bay: Wright was a teacher, principal and superintendent for 31 years. He says he became a legislator to support teachers in the classroom.
I’m inspired by the depth and array of life and education experiences of these legislators. I’m excited to get to know them better as we work together to improve our public education system and raise outcomes for all.
Adrienne Anderson
OSBA legislative specialist
