Oregon’s May 20 election is for non-partisan board seats on school districts and other special districts. Nearly all are unpaid volunteer positions. Candidates are seeking public office in special districts responsible for educating Oregon kids, putting out fires in homes and forests, ensuring access to clean water, and more. Fewer than three out of 10 registered voters in Oregon cast ballots in recent special district elections. Candidates in contested races who have endorsements from labor organizations are listed below. See the Legend for acronyms of the endorsing unions.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Beaverton School district
37,826 students
Zone 1
Karin Stark worked to get parents on board with the Beaverton Education Association’s asks during contentious contract negotiations that concluded in January. She wants to increase the board’s collaboration with educators. She faces Van Truong and Andrew De Mars for the seat held by outgoing board member Susan Greenberg. NOLC, OSEA 48, Beaverton Education Association (OEA), UFCW 555, Plumbers 290, Ironworkers 29, WFP StarkForBSD.com
Zone 2
Eric McGuire is an OEA member and teacher in Centennial SD who previously taught in the Beaverton School District for 30 years. He’s running against incumbent Karen Pérez-Da Silva, who had union support in previous elections. NOLC, OSEA 48, Beaverton Education Association (OEA), UFCW 555, WFP McGuireforBSD.com
Zone 5
Syed Qasim is a Beaverton parent who has been involved in local task forces on issues like climate action and inclusive housing. He is running against Erin Hatch, a Beaverton parent who serves on the board of a charter school. NOLC, OSEA 48, Beaverton Education Association (OEA), UFCW 555, WFP SyedQasimForBSD.com
Bend-LaPine School district
16,874 students
Zone 6
Ross Tomlin is a part-time community college forestry teacher who spent 20 years teaching full-time before becoming president of Tillamook Bay Community College. He was appointed to the school board in November 2024. He faces a challenge from Theo Wilhelm, a former middle school teacher. COCLC, Bend Education Association (OEA), WFP RossForEducation.com
Zone 7
Kina Chadwick has served on the school board since December 2022 and works for a nonprofit working to improve access to transgender health care in Central Oregon. Chadwick’s priorities include increasing literacy in early childhood, reducing absenteeism, and making sure all students feel a sense of safety and belonging. Chadwick faces a challenge from Justin Van Patten, a small business owner. COCLC, Bend Education Association (OEA), WFP KinaForOregon.com
Canby School District
4,140 students
Position 2
Audrey Traaen is a legislative assistant for Republican State Rep. Christine Drazan. She faces Christian Kruse and Audrey Barnett for the seat currently held by Tom Scott. Canby Education Association (OEA) TraaenForCanby.com
Position 4
Carmen Goetschius is a Presbyterian pastor and parent of two Trost Elementary students. She faces Tom Pierce, a retired foreign service agent, for the seat currently held by Sherry Smith. Canby Education Association (OEA)
Centennial School District
5,412 students
Position 6
SaQuoija Allen is one of five candidates for the at-large position. Allen wants to advocate for school safety measures, mental health resources for school staff, community events, and DEI. OSEA 113
Position 7
Pam Shields has served on the school board for more than a decade. Shields is a Mt. Hood Community College faculty member and former high school teacher and union president. UFCW 555
Rudie Watzig is the father of three Centennial students and vice president of Centennial Youth Football. OSEA 113 Rudie.org
Eugene School District
15,880 students
Position 2
Ericka Thessen is running to retain her seat on the board after being appointed in October 2023. She is a physical therapist and was motivated to joint the school board by the experience of her children in Eugene schools, two of whom are autistic. She is being challenged by Danny McDiarmid and Alan Madden. OSEA 1, Eugene Education Association (OEA), WFP ThessenFor4j.com
Position 3
Donald Easton is a Lane Community College faculty member running against incumbent Judy Newman. Easton has also taught high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses and helped teachers around the country build CTE programs. LCCLC, Salem Building Trades Council, Lane-Coos-Curry-Douglas Building Trades Council, Eugene Education Association (OEA), Carpenters, WFP Easton4education.org
Lake Oswego School District
6,858 students
Position 2
Neelam Gupta has served on the school board since 2020 and works for the Oregon Health Authority. She previously worked in workforce development, including a labor-management group for healthcare worker training. Gupta is facing a challenge from Lena Elbakshish, an accountant. NOLC, UFCW 555 VoteGupta.com
Oregon City School District
7,224 students
Position 1
Heidi Chang is a youth pastor and combat veteran challenging incumbent Michele Lee Stroh. Chang says her priorities include transparency, career and college readiness, and ensuring all students and staff feel safe and welcomed in schools. Oregon City Education Association (OEA) HeidiChangForOCSB.com
Portland School District
43,319 students
Zone 1
Christy Splitt is a former teacher, Oregon legislative staffer, and Oregon League of Conservation Voters director who now works for the Oregon Department of Energy. She was appointed to the board in January and is running for her first full term against Ken Cavagnolo and Anton Leof. NOLC, Portland Association of Teachers (OEA), WFP ChristySplitt.com
Zone 4
Rashelle Chase-Miller directs programming for a statewide literacy nonprofit and was a vocal supporter of PAT during the 2023 teachers strike. She is challenging incumbent Herman Greene. NOLC, Portland Association of Teachers (OEA), UFCW 555, WFP RashelleForPPS.org
Zone 5
Jorge Sanchez Bautista, a senior at McDaniel High School, would be the youngest person to ever serve on the PPS board. Sanchez Bautista serves as a student advisor on the Oregon State Board of Education. If elected, he says he would work to address equity in schools, strengthen community engagement, and increase financial transparency. He is running against Virginia La Forte for the seat currently held by Gary Hollands, who dropped out of the race in March. NOLC, Portland Association of Teachers (OEA), UFCW 555, WFP JorgeForPortland.com
Zone 6
Stephanie Engelsman is a lawyer who worked as a public defender for 20 years, representing criminal defendants and families in the foster care system. Engelsman faces three other candidates. NOLC, AFSCME 328, Portland Association of Teachers (OEA), UFCW 555, WFP StephForOurSchools.com
Measure 26-259 — Portland Public School Bond Levy
YES Measure 26-259 is a $1.83 billion bond to renovate or replace Cleveland and Ida B. Wells high schools; update and repair elementary and middle school buildings; and upgrade high school athletic and performing arts facilities. The bond would continue modernization work that started with a bond in 2012 and continued with bonds approved in 2017 and 2020. The proposed bond would ramp up as tax payments for previous bonds wind down, so the total bond rate paid by property owners would remain around an estimated $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value, according to the district. NOLC, AFSCME 189, AFSCME 328, IBEW 48, Ironworkers 29, Portland Association of Teachers (OEA), SEIU 503, UFCW 555, WFP YesPDXschools.com
Sherwood School District
4,797 students
Position 3
Calli Ross is running against incumbent Abigail Hawkins. Ross is an advocate for disability rights and filed a lawsuit against the Sherwood School District in 2023 over inadequate resources provided to her 10-year-old son, who has severe disabilities. NOLC, UFCW 555 friendsofcalliross.com
West Linn-Wilsonville School District
8,872 students
Position 1
Mike Selvaggio is UFCW Local 555’s lead lobbyist. He faces Kara Clark for the seat held by Louis Taylor, who is not seeking reelection. NOLC, UFCW 555, WFP MikeSelvaggio.com
Position 3
Kirsten Wyatt is the incumbent, currently serving as vice chair of the board. Wyatt directs a social innovation center at Georgetown University. She is challenged by Christi Lanz, a hair stylist who started a parent group opposing potential closures of small schools in the district. West Linn-Wilsonville Education Association (OEA), UFCW 555, WFP ElectWyatt.com
HIGHER ED
Lane Community College
Zone 1
Jerry Rust wants to prioritize DEI work, increase activity at LCC’s satellite campuses in Florence and Cottage Grove, and expand opportunities for more students, including senior citizens. Rust is a farmer and former Lane County commissioner. Jeffrey Cooper, an executive at a metal fabrication company, is also running for the seat. Lane Community College Education Association (OEA)
Zone 3
Devon Lawson is a current high school student co-enrolled at LCC. Lawson wants to increase DEI efforts at LCC, protect students from ICE, and advocate for tuition waivers for low-income residents. Incumbent Julie Weismann’s reelection bid was endorsed by the Democratic Party of Lane County, but the group rescinded its endorsement in April. Lane Community College Education Association (OEA), Lane Community College Employees Federation (AFT 2417), Carpenters, WFP LawsonForLane.org
Zone 4
Austin Fölnagy is a current LCC board member and president of the Oregon Community College Association. Fölnagy faces a challenge from Richard Andrew Vasquez, a consultant and former trustee at a California community college. LCCLC, IBEW Local 280, Ironworkers 29, Lane Community College Education Association (OEA), Lane Community College Employees Federation (AFT 2417), SEIU 503, WFP AustinFolnagy.com
Mt. Hood Community College
Measure 26-258 — Mt. Hood Community College bond
YES Mt. Hood Community College is seeking a $136 million bond. The college has asked voters to approve bonds six times since 1974, but failed every time. The current bond proposal would add $0.25 per $1,000 of assessed value to property owners’ annual taxes. Funds would upgrade the college’s pool for year-round access; refresh electrical, heating, cooling, and fire safety systems in 50-year-old buildings; modernize security systems and seismic retrofitting; and update classrooms and labs. MHCC Full Time Association (OEA), MHCC Part Time Faculty and Tutor Association (OEA), MHCC Classified Employee Association (OEA), Teamsters Local 223, WFP yesformhcc.com
FIRE DISTRICTS
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue
Position 3
Roy R. Rogers is an accountant who has served as Tualatin mayor and Washington County commissioner. He says he wants a new direction for the fire district and is running against four-term incumbent Gordon L Hovies. Tualatin Valley Firefighters (IAFF 1660) RoyForFirecommissioner.com
LEGEND
- NOLC Northwest Oregon Labor Council, AFL-CIO (the local federation of labor)
- COCLC Central Oregon Labor Chapter, (a local chapter of the Oregon AFL-CIO)
- LCCLC Lane County Labor Chapter, (a local chapter of the Oregon AFL-CIO)
- AFSCME American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
- AFT American Federation of Teachers
- OEA Oregon Education Association, an affiliate of the National Education Association
- OSEA Oregon School Employees Association
- LiUNA Oregon and Southern Idaho District Council of the Laborers International Union of North America
- IAFF International Association of Fire Fighters
- IBEW International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
- SEIU Service Employees
- UFCW United Food and Commercial Workers
- WFP Working Families Party
