Stacy Michaelson says she got into politics because she really wanted to work in education policy. Working for the Multnomah Education Service District, she has cherished being able to advocate for individual districts’ needs in the Legislature.
“I’m far less interested in politics than I am in good policy,” Michaelson said.
Now she has an opportunity to shape policy for all Oregon public school districts. On Dec. 6, Michaelson was announced as the new OSBA director of government relations and communications. She will start Jan. 6.
OSBA Executive Director Emielle Nischik has merged OSBA’s communications and legislative departments and placed a single director over them to more effectively and efficiently serve districts’ needs. She said Michaelson, with her wealth of government relations experience, is an ideal fit for the new role.
“This new position will help ensure OSBA is at the center of shaping public education policy while sharing members’ needs and viewpoints with all levels of state government as well as communities and the media,” Nischik said. “Stacy’s knowledge of education issues strengthens OSBA’s voice.”
Michaelson, as the Multnomah ESD government affairs administrator since 2017, has already been at the heart of many education policy discussions. Her recent victories include helping to secure money for school-based health centers, to add funding for students in the juvenile system and to expand transportation options for schools.
Michaelson is joining OSBA in time for the 2025 legislative session, where individual district situations will be a big part of the debates.
“We are at an amazing starting point with the governor’s proposed budget, but we know it still doesn’t cover everything our districts need to take care of their students and staff,” Michaelson said. “Addressing serious issues such as chronic absenteeism requires sufficient funding.”
Michaelson is a product of Oregon public schools, growing up in Klamath and Lake counties. She graduated from Lost River Jr./Sr. High School in Merrill before attending Willamette University in Salem. After earning a bachelor’s degree in politics, she went to work as a legislative aide. She worked for several associations, including the Association of Oregon Counties, before joining Multnomah ESD.
She said seeing good policy in action in Multnomah schools has been deeply rewarding. With OSBA, she hopes to provide that kind of support on a statewide level.
“With all the difficulties school districts face, I know this legislative session will raise challenging issues,” Michaelson said. “But I’ve also seen OSBA and its fellow education advocates working with the governor and legislators in recent months. I see an opportunity to make lasting improvements.”
– Jake Arnold, OSBA
[email protected]
