For many years, unions have encouraged and supported members to run for public office. Last year, nine Oregon unions formed the Oregon Labor Candidate School. Participants undergo a six month course in the mechanics of political campaigns. Alumni champion policies that positively impact the middle class and working Oregonians, including retirement security, living wages, a strong education system, access to quality and affordable health care, and collective bargaining rights.
The following are graduates of the Class of 2012 who have filed to run for office.
Jaime Rodriguez, a member of the Portland Community College Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals Local 2277, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), is running for the Hillsboro School Board, Position 2. [See here for a fuller profile of his campaign.]
Trish Stephens of Oregon School Employees Association is running for Amity School Board, Position 1. Stephens is a special education instructional assistant in the Willamina School District. She faces one other candidate for the open board seat.
Erick Flores, a member of the Oregon Education Association, is running for an open seat on the Parkrose School Board. Flores is a teacher in the David Douglas School District. Two other candidates are seeking the Position 5 seat.
Nicole (Nikki) Milam, an office secretary with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, is running for Medford School Board, Position 1. The board has been divided in recent months over the performance of its superintendent. Milam is in a three-person race that includes the incumbent.
Francisco (Frank) Acosta is a member of Portland Federation of School Professional Local 111 running unopposed for the Multnomah Education Service District Board, Position 3. A campus monitor at Franklin High School, Acosta also attends Corban University and is pursuing a masters degree in education.
[…] for office — from fundraising, to communications, to campaign planning. [Four other graduates are running for office this […]
Where were you folks in 2003?
As a newly retired Hillsboro middle school teacher, after Hillsboro Schools had suffered 17 days of cuts and been made fun of in Doonesbury, I ran — on my own — for the HSD 1J school board. I replaced a 25-year veteran, and served from 2003-2011. I also refused a willing endorsement from the HEA because I did not want to be perceived as a union puppet, although I was a union member (not “fair share”) and did my time as a building rep.
If you are interested in any insights I can offer as a former teacher and former board member, give me a call at 503-640-4051. I will let you know up front that I’m a believer in a non-partisan school board. Dems and Reps should stay in the back of the room.
Best,
Hugh