Public schools are the foundation of our country. But after decades of underfunding, this foundation is in dire need of repair. I'm running for school board because it is past time for our state to insist that every kid gets the education they deserve and every school is a joyful, loving place to grow, learn, and work.

In SW Portland, our public elementary school is the heart of our neighborhood, where kids and adults alike learn from each other and build community every day. But, we have to fight for our art teacher every year, fight to keep needed and beloved support staff. We have lost staff every year since 2020. It shows, and yet magic still happens… Kids learn to read, figure out fractions, manage their emotions, become good friends and collaborators.

But imagine if public schools were fully funded –  tutoring for kids who are falling behind, enough social workers to connect with every family that needs extra support, enough counselors to help kids experiencing trauma or change, enough aides to support kids and teachers, enough librarians and library aides to keep libraries open every school day, enough funding for art and music instruction, enough choices for older students to be able to prepare for a variety of post-secondary opportunities, manageable class sizes and case loads - and meaningful compensation - so that staff stay for long careers.

Bottom line: any child from any background should be able to show up and – with the support of teachers, school staff, caregivers – leave with a diploma and a path toward a productive life.

It should not be a distant dream, or a memory of a distant past. A school board can strive for this vision, lift up the district and schools while also ensuring community values are met, and support the dreams of students and families.