As OSBA Board election nears close, more advocacy leaders needed

The 2023 Oregon legislative session will tackle tough issues including school funding, student mental health, staff shortages and school board training. School board members have a few days left to choose some of their leading advocates or to step forward themselves.

Ballots are due for the OSBA Board election by Thursday, Dec. 15, and OSBA is accepting applications for positions without candidates until Thursday, Dec. 22. The OSBA Board provides guidance to the association and provides a student-centered voice in the Legislature and their communities.

School boards are also voting on this year's "Legislative Priorities and Principles" resolution, which guides OSBA's work in the Legislature.

OSBA Board positions are typically for two years and are based on geographic areas. This year, all odd-numbered positions are up for election, except position 19 (Multnomah). OSBA Board President-elect Sonja McKenzie, of the Parkrose School Board, holds position 19 and will automatically become president on Jan. 1 and retain the seat.

Positions 8 (Clackamas), 10 (Linn/Benton/Lincoln), 12 (Marion) and 16 (Washington) also have elections for one-year terms.

The OSBA Board will appoint positions that did not have a candidate for the election: position 7 (Clackamas), position 11 (Marion) and position 13 (Yamhill/Polk). Appointed positions will run through Dec. 31, 2023. The board will also fill vacancies on OSBA's Legislative Policy Committee for positions 7 (Clackamas) and 13 (Yamhill/Polk).

Candidates must be members of the governing board of a school district, education service district or community college in the region with the vacancy. Board members interested in applying should contact Jane Leonhardt at [email protected]for application materials.

- Jake Arnold, OSBA
[email protected]