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Portland school board candidates from left to right: Jamila Singleton Munson (Zone 4), Rita Moore (Zone 4), Virginia La Forte (Zone 5), Julia Brim-Edwards (Zone 6), Joseph L. Simonis (Zone 6), Scott Bailey (Zone 5), Ed Bos (Zone 6), David Morrison (Zone 6), Zach Babb (Zone 6)

(Photos courtesy of candidates )

Portland school board positions are unpaid, the hours can be long and the scrutiny can be fierce. So why would anyone want a spot on the seven-person elected board? The Oregonian/OregonLive sent a questionnaire to each candidate who will be on May's ballot. Here are some of their answers.



See what we've run over the past few days here and here and here and here and here. Want to see how a candidate answered all our questions? Click on their name to read their answers to the entire questionnaire.

What inspired you to run for the board?

Candidates for Zone 4, replacing Steve Buel



Jamila Singleton Munson: I am running for the Portland Public School Board because I believe education is a pathway to expanding opportunities that put children on the path to achieving their dreams. As a graduate of Grant High School, an educational community that transformed my life, I feel compelled to bring my leadership to PPS to ensure every student is guaranteed an excellent education and a supportive community.

Growing up my mother was a single parent of three, who worked multiple jobs to provide for our family. In spite of any hardships we might have had at home, I could always count on the support of amazing teachers and advocates.



Rita Moore: I grew up in a poor, working class family with a father who never graduated from high school. But I received a great public education in Boston, was the first in my family to attend college, and have had a fulfilling career and an interesting life. Education was my ticket out of poverty. I want all of our children to have the kinds of opportunities to thrive that I did.

I have been actively involved in PPS for the last 15 years. From long service on multiple advisory committees, I have developed expertise in the budget and enrollment issues and have a reputation as a critical friend to the district.

With new leadership – the arrival of a new superintendent and a complete turnover in the School Board – we have an opportunity to re-make PPS into the kind of school district our children deserve and this city needs

Candidates for Zone 5, replacing Pam Knowles





Scott Bailey:

For almost 20 years I have been a school activist working to improve education for all students in PPS. I have played a leadership role in a number of important initiatives in PPS, including the 2012 and proposed 2017 bond, bringing equity to the district's transfer process, redrawing boundaries, the creation of a middle school program, the shift from K-8s back to middle schools, the assessment of focus option programs. I ran for the school board eight years ago. Many of the problems I spoke to then have yet to be addressed.

I care passionately about the opportunity for all children to have access to an excellent education in a safe environment. I grew up in a neighborhood that is now a Title I catchment area. I understand first-hand how access to a robust K-12 education can change the trajectory of a child's life. I also know that it doesn't take years and years to affect real change. I act with a sense of urgency and believe it will make me a very effective, collaborative board member.

Candidate Traci Flitcraft did not respond to two emails from The Oregonian/OregonLive.







Candidates for Zone 6, replacing Tom Koehler

Joseph L. Simonis:

As a freelance scientist, I have the capacity and interest to be engaged in educational governance. I am a social justice activist with over decade of experience in education. Having set up my company to where I can support volunteerism with my time, I was interested in finding avenues to put my training to work to support public education.



So, when a friend who is a PPS parent reached out about there being a need for someone to run for PPS board within Zone 6, I answered the call for civic engagement.



Julia Brim-Edwards: Our public schools and students face serious challenges: A crumbling infrastructure, lead in the water and other safety issues, a leadership transition and divided board, and an unsatisfactory graduation rate. As a graduate of Portland schools and a parent of three, I was inspired to run because even during this moment of serious vulnerability for Portland Public Schools, I remain optimistic about the future of our schools and believe I can help lead our school district to a better place. Public schools are the cornerstone of our community. We can't let them down. I have the expertise and ability to bring the community together to get our district back on track.



Zach Babb: Education is foundational to our society. I believe that America can and should have the best education system in the world. I believe that Oregon can and should have the best education system in America. And I believe that Portland can and should have the best education system in Oregon. I decided to run for school board to realize that vision.



Ed Bos: Since moving to Portland, I have worked with parents and youth, discussed the challenges in the Portland Public Schools, and been following the discouraging news about how resources and safety are being managed. I want to be a part of the solution, and serve to make sure our city's youth stay safe, graduate on time, and citizens prepared for their next steps in the work force or college.



David Morrison: My experience with PPS boards, with a few exceptions, has been disappointing in responding to critical safety issues. Chronic microwave exposure in schools has been shown, through scores of peer reviewed scientific studies, to lead to hundreds of immediate biological effects.



We need an unbiased critical review of our reliance on technology as a teaching tool. There are now over 200 studies on technology in education that have shown negative effects on learning and cognition. Adolescent mental health problems have exploded by 50% in the last 10 years. Increasing numbers of children are being medicated for depression, anxiety and ADD.



Candidate Trisha Parks has stopped campaigning and did not fill out the questionnaire.







— Bethany Barnes

Got a tip about Portland Public Schools? Email Bethany: bbarnes@oregonian.com