Oregon school board members to advocate in D.C.
Oregon School Boards Association members will visit the U.S. Capitol over the next few days to discuss educational priorities with members of Oregon’s congressional delegation.
In meetings scheduled for Tuesday , OSBA members will engage with congressional members on such issues as implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act, school choice and educational vouchers, federal investment in education, reauthorization of federal funding for career and technical education (CTE), and reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act.
They will also discuss long-term solutions to ensure that county timber payments continue to support public schools. The Capitol visits are part of the Advocacy Institute conference, organized by the National School Boards Association.
OSBA board members heading to Washington, D.C., for the Advocacy Institute include: President Betty Reynolds (West Linn-Wilsonville School Board), President-elect LeeAnn Larsen (Beaverton SD), Vice President Tass Morrison (North Santiam SD), Secretary-treasurer Don Cruise (Philomath SD), Past President Dr. Doug Nelson (High Desert ESD), Cheri Helt (Bend-LaPine SD), Kris Howatt (Gresham-Barlow SD), Hank Perry (Douglas ESD), and Maureen Wolf (Tigard-Tualatin SD). Also attending as members of OSBA’s Legislative Policy Committee are Andrew Bryan (Baker SD), Kim Strelchun (Hillsboro SD) and Dawn Watson (Phoenix-Talent SD).
Jim Green, OSBA’s executive director, said the occasion gives participants insight into education policy at the federal level.
“It’s important for our local school board members to meet with members of Congress to advocate for Oregon students,” he said.
OSBA is a member services organization for more than 200 locally elected boards serving school districts, education service districts and community colleges. It also provides services to charter schools and their boards.
