OSBA members attending the annual convention overwhelmingly approved the association's new governance model by a vote of 269 to 56 - the largest number of members to "weigh in" on an OSBA issue in at least 20 years. 
In 2009, the new structure will bring together representatives of 14 new geographic regions instead of the five Congressional Districts from which board members have been drawn. Nineteen directors elected by OSBA members from the 14 regions will serve on the new board. Regions with larger student populations will elect more than one director: Multnomah (three), Washington (two), Clackamas (two) and Marion (two).

"We believe this change has the power to strengthen OSBA's voice as a leader in public education in Oregon," said new OSBA president Craig Prewitt. "It's heartening that OSBA members voted by 83 percent to adopt the new governance structure."

Main provisions of the new model: 

• More regions: The 19 board members and 19 Legislative Policy Committee members will create greater regional interest than the current system.
• One board, one vote: Each board will vote for its choices for OSBA board and LPC candidates from their region, rather than each member casting his or her vote. One board, one vote also will apply to OSBA resolutions. This will promote conversations within each board about OSBA-related issues, resolutions, elections. 
• Vote by mail: OSBA members will no longer have to be present at the annual meeting in Portland to vote. Elections could be conducted electronically or by regular mail. 
• Weighting for ADM: OSBA's new governance model acknowledges the difference in enrollments among member school districts. 
• The OSBA board nominates candidates for officer positions: Once seated, the OSBA board will nominate candidates for the officer positions of president-elect, vice president and secretary-treasurer. The membership will vote on these candidates. The president-elect will become president and the president will become past-president.
• The OSBA board will not take positions on resolutions: This has been contentious in the past because some feel that the board can unduly influence important votes. Instead, the board could propose resolutions, and present the pros and cons without making a recommendation. 

Election timeline for next year

At its Nov. 8 meeting, the OSBA board approved the 2008 election calendar for local elections so the new board can take office on Jan. 1, 2009. Because the Legislative Policy Committee must be ready to discuss and recommend a legislative agenda before the session starts, this group will be in place by May 1, 2008. In future years, the LPC and OSBA board will be elected together. 

More Details of the proposal