The education advocacy leaders on OSBA’s Board and Legislative Policy Committee are also conduits between the association and school boards around the state.
These elected regional representatives tell the association what members need individually and collectively from the state government as well as from OSBA staff. In turn, the regional representatives help carry information about state and federal actions from OSBA to their areas’ board members.
OSBA is taking nominations now for 12 OSBA Board positions and all 20 LPC spots.
“Our Board and LPC members are vital to everything we do,” said OSBA Executive Director Emielle Nischik. “These education leaders keep OSBA connected to the realities of running school districts while bringing their advocacy for students to our statewide platform.”
The OSBA Board, which is chosen by member boards according to 14 regions, helps guide the association’s work and provides important state-level voices on education issues in the Legislature and the governor’s office. About half the board is elected each year for two-year terms or for a year to finish out a vacant term.
This year all even-numbered positions are open for two-year terms as well as positions 7 (Clackamas region) and 11 (Marion region) for one-year terms.
Legislative Policy Committee members help set OSBA’s agenda in the Legislature as well as acting as important communication bridges between Salem and their communities. The two-year positions are chosen by region so every part of the state has a voice.
“Our LPC members are an essential part of OSBA’s advocacy strategy,” said Stacy Michaelson, OSBA Government Relations and Communications director. “We want people who are ready to stand up for public education with legislators and their own communities.”
Candidates must have a formal school board nomination. OSBA distributes packets and information to all school board members based on their regions. Nominations and possible resolutions must be submitted to OSBA by Sept. 30.
Official ballots will be distributed in October, and voting will end in December.
The OSBA Election Center contains more information. Members can also contact OSBA executive assistant La’Nell Trissel at [email protected].
“The work of school boards and thus OSBA gets more complex each year,” Nischik said. “We need leaders from across the state who are willing to come together and work for the greater good of students.”
– Jake Arnold, OSBA
[email protected]
