Parkrose School District
Director, Position 1
Occupation: Facilities Manager
Occupational Background: Journeyman Electrician; US Navy (5 years)
Educational Background: ITT Technical Institute; AAS Electronics; BAS Automated Manufacturing
Prior Governmental Experience: Parkrose Board of Education (appointed 2019)
As a longtime resident, a graduate of Parkrose High School, and a parent of three children who all graduated from PHS; I feel that public education is the Cornerstone of our American society. It enables all people to have a Level playing field and gives everyone an equal opportunity to compete for the American dream.
I wish to serve on the Parkrose school board because I desire to make a difference in our community. Parkrose is more than a school district within the city of Portland; it is a unique community, with an identity unto itself, and the school district sets the tone for the atmosphere of the community.
I will focus on a vision of the future; A future of educational excellence; safety within all of our schools, and continued opportunity for all of our students.
Naturally the purpose of the district and the school board is to educate the children of our community. As a board member I will fulfill this role and keep the quality of services at the forefront of my decisions, but I will also focus on the community aspect of the district and how it effects all of its residents.
Even if you don’t have children attending a Parkrose school, you still can gain the benefits of a strong community centered on our youth and schools. The quality of our educational system pays long term dividends that we can all benefit from through a well-educated and free society.
(This information furnished by Joshua Singleton)
Director, Position 4
Occupation: Community Engagement Coordinator, Oregon Community Foundation
Occupational Background: Certified Volunteer Administrator; Volunteer Resources Coordinator, Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette; Program Manager, iUrban Teen; Special Education Teacher
Educational Background: Sam Houston State University, BFA; University of St. Thomas, Teacher Certification; Portland State University, Human Resources Certification
Prior Governmental Experience: Parkrose School Board Member, Current; Oregon School Board Association, Members of Color Caucus; National School Board Action Center, Board Member; Dress for Success, Board Member; East Metro STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) Partnership, Leadership Team
Experience - Advocacy - Leadership
I have advocated for strong public schools and the kids they serve my whole life. As a former teacher, parent of four
children who attend Parkrose schools and as a current school board member, it’s been a privilege to serve in partnership with the families of our school kids.
Together, we have:
- Worked diligently to support our families and kids through distance learning;
- Created partnerships with educational leaders and culturally specific community organizations to ensure all kids thrive; and
- Advocated for inclusive policies for our student athletes.
I am running for re-election because our work continues:
- We need to reopen our schools safely with our students and teachers in mind.
- We need more equitable, trauma-informed educational support for our most under-represented students.
- We need to see through our efforts to address regional inequities among schools in Oregon.
- We need to continue to advocate for more funding for our public schools.
Proudly Endorsed By:
Stand for Children
East County Rising PAC
Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon
NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon PAC
Eddy Morales, Gresham City Councilor
Susheela Jayapal, Multnomah County Commissioner
Lori Stegmann, Multnomah County Commissioner
Ricki Ruiz. State Representative
Jessica Arzate, Multnomah Education Service District, Vice Chair
Katrina Doughty, Multnomah Education Service District, Board Member
Carla Piluso, Gresham School Board
Mayra Gomez, Gresham School Board
Yesenia Delgado, Reynolds School Board
To see who else has endorsed Sonja, visit: https://www.vote4smckenzie.net/
(This information furnished by Sonja Mckenzie)
Director, Position 5
Occupation: Interim Pastor, Gethsemane Lutheran Church
Occupational Background: Asst. Minister (serving children/youth/families), First Congregational UCC; Board of Directors, Central Pacific Conference United Church of Christ; Volunteer, Sacramento PTO
Educational Background: Willamette University, BA Politics; Marylhurst University, Master of Divinity
Prior Governmental Experience: Appointed Parkrose School District #3 Board of Education, Position Five; MESD Regional School Board Equity Team
The past year has been more challenging than any of us could have anticipated. While some elected officials have used the reopening of school buildings as a political tool, we have struggled as working families to care for our children in the middle of unemployment, uncertain childcare, and mixed messages about public health and safety. As parents of a third-grader and a preschooler, my wife and I know what the pandemic has cost us.
Yet our Parkrose community has shown up for each other in creative and life-giving ways. We have shared food boxes, sewn masks, delivered necessities to neighbors,
donated books and blankets. We have raised our voices for an end to racism and violence.
I am so proud of our Parkrose students, teachers, parents, district staff, and superintendent. THANK YOU for working so hard, for taking the time to listen, for looking out for the most vulnerable. Thank you for showing up to board meetings, listening sessions, and parent group fundraisers. Thank you for speaking up and asking questions, even though answers aren’t easy or always available. Our kids need us to be committed to Parkrose. We are ALL IN for them.
I am honored to serve you on the Parkrose School Board of Education. You can count on me to continue to be ALL IN for our students. There is big work ahead: safely reopening our buildings, elementary physical education this fall (hooray!), improved access to transportation, ongoing racial equity work and legislative advocacy for funding. WE CAN DO THIS. I believe in us.
This pandemic has shown us that we ARE powerful. We are resilient. We are #parkrosestrong.
(This information furnished by Elizabeth Durant)