GRESHAM-BARLOW SCHOOL DISTRICT

Director, Position 7, At-Large

Photo of Amanda Orozco-BeachAmanda Orozco-Beach

Occupation: Waitress, Service Industry Professional

Occupational Background: Customer Service, Retail, Sales, Management

Educational Background: Mount Hood Community College; Portland State University, B.S., Political Science; MHCC Forensics Speech and Debate Team 

Prior Governmental Experience: State Representative Chris Gorsek, Intern; Gresham City Councilor Mario Palmero, Community Involvement: Volunteer & Member, East County Rising Community Engagement Team

Advocating for Student Needs, Fueled by Experience

“Amanda is someone we can all depend on to stand up for our children and strong enough to do what is right.”  Mario Palmero, Gresham City Councilor

Gresham’s population is growing, and new, young families are moving to our city. Amanda recognizes this diverse growth as an opportunity to build a stronger more vibrant community. 

Amanda will advocate for student’s rights and needs, by working with faculty, staff, and families to make sure that they are getting the resources that they need to better their services for K-12 students. 

Amanda knows Gresham can be the envy of Oregon, including having the best schools in the state. She will fight tirelessly and passionately to make sure that students, staff and families succeed in Gresham-Barlow Schools.

As your school board member Amanda will work to:

  • Ensure student success and safety
  • Listen to, and support all families 
  • Increase graduation rates and promote college and career school readiness.
  • Get additional support for mental health and counseling
  • Fight for educators to get the funding and tools they need to better care for, and teach our children

Community Leaders You Know and Trust
Proudly Endorse Amanda
Working Families Party of Oregon
East County Rising
Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon
State Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson
State Senator Shemia Fagan
Gresham City Counselor Eddy Morales
Gresham City Councilor Mario Palmero
State Representative Diego Hernandez
State Representative Janelle Bynum
State Representative Chris Gorsek
MHCC School Board Member Kenney Polson

(This information furnished by Amanda Orozco-Beach.)

The above information has not been verified for accuracy by Multnomah County.

Director, Position 7, At-Large

Photo of John HartsockJohn Hartsock

Occupation: Consultant - J. N. Hartsock Project Management

Occupational Background: Beaverton Schools - Project Manager; JLH Consulting – Partner; Koll Company - VP Construction

Educational Background: Los Angeles Trade Technical College - Construction; Hamilton High School 

Prior Governmental Experience: Elected – Gresham-Barlow Schools 2015–2019; Elected - Boring Fire 2009-2013; Elected - City of Damascus 2004-2006; Elected - Boring Fire 1995-2007; Appointed - Multnomah Educational Service District Budget Committee 2012 Present; Appointed - Gresham Barlow School Budget Committee 12 years

I would appreciate the opportunity to continue to represent you. I have lived in the District for the past 29 years and have served on the District’s Board / Budget Committee / Bond and Facilities committees.

I believe the Board should address the following issues:

I: Build a sense of urgency in the community, among staff, families and students. Communicate where change needs to occur and why. 

II: Recognize that trust, morale, and relationships with staff, students and the community make a difference in keeping children in school. The focus has to be helping students become career and/or college ready; decisions on programs and budget have to focus on making that happen. The board and administration have to follow through in everything they say and do; they need to talk about how it makes a difference in getting our children to graduation.

III: Resources – and there are never enough /nor, will there be – need to be focused on results in instruction that improves achievement. Make decisions on where the District can get the most for investments of people, time, and money. Put resources where they will produce results. Measure and report those results. 

In short, the Board should serve a pivotal role of setting high goals, build culture and deploy resources where they achieve the best results. Hold the data in front of the community and celebrate successes, but don’t be afraid to name the challenges and work toward overcoming them.

(This information furnished by John Hartsock.)

The above information has not been verified for accuracy by Multnomah County.