Helix School Board member Emily Smith joined the OSBA Board so she could work for students on a statewide level. She said her OSBA Board service gave her an opportunity this year to advocate with legislators to provide more school funding.
Smith, the OSBA Board secretary-treasurer, encourages others to step forward for the OSBA Board — “unless you are in the Gorge Region,” she added with a laugh. She treasures her OSBA service too much to want to give up her Gorge position, she said.
The OSBA Board, which is chosen by member boards according to 14 regions, helps guide the association’s work and provides important state-level voices for education issues. The OSBA election season opens Monday, Aug. 21, with the availability of nomination forms at the OSBA Election Center. Association member boards will also be able to vote on Legislative Policy Committee members and any resolutions put forward.
Candidates for the Board or LPC must be nominated by an association member board within the region they would serve.
This year’s open seats are for the Gorge (position 2), Central (3), Southeast (4), Lane (6), Clackamas (7 and 8), Linn/Benton/Lincoln (10), Marion (12), Yamhill/Polk, (13), North Coast (14), Washington (16 and 20) and Multnomah (18). The even-numbered positions are for two years, and the odd-numbered are one-year positions to fill vacancies.
Legislative Policy Committee members help set OSBA’s agenda in the Legislature as well as acting as important communication bridges between Salem and their communities. All 20 LPC positions are open for two-year terms.
OSBA members could have at least one resolution to vote on in addition to the Board and LPC positions.
Smith has led a committee for the past year working on a resolution to create an OSBA rural caucus, similar to the Oregon School Board Members of Color Caucus. The rural caucus would elevate the voices of school board members in rural areas and help OSBA better support those communities’ unique needs.
Under the proposed bylaws, school board members’ eligibility to join the caucus would be based on the number of residents in their district. Board members would need to serve a school district with a population density of less than 200 people per square mile or a total district population less than 20,000 people. All education service district board members would be eligible. Members who aren’t eligible could appeal to be admitted.
In September, the OSBA Board will vote on whether to put forward a resolution to create the Oregon Rural School Board Members Caucus. Voting on OSBA positions and resolutions starts in November.
The OSBA Election Center contains more information. Members can also contact OSBA executive assistant La’Nell Trissel at [email protected].
– Jake Arnold, OSBA
[email protected]
