What does the school board do?
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The board’s major responsibility is setting the Hillsboro School District policies. Board members must also:
- Establish and adopt the Hillsboro School District budget.
- Approve Hillsboro School District curriculum adoption.
- Set goals, evaluate progress toward those goals such as the Hillsboro 2020-21 Plan and Strategic Financial Plan.
- Ask voters to approve bond measures and local option levies.
- Advocate with the legislature on behalf of Hillsboro School District children.
- Guide collective bargaining with HSD employee groups.
Board goals for 2020-21
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- The Board will be visible as community leaders through actively participating in District/Community virtual events. Visible and engagement opportunities include remote attendance at virtual listening sessions, virtual school activities/events, and district organized virtual events. When safe to do so, Board members will participate in in-person engagement opportunities.
- The Board will adopt legislative priorities for the next biennium and actively participate in advocacy on behalf of the District in regards to stable and adequate funding.
- The Board will guide the District in becoming an antiracist organization through participation in professional development, policy review, and systemic analysis.
- The Board will be visible as community leaders through actively participating in District/Community virtual events. Visible and engagement opportunities include remote attendance at virtual listening sessions, virtual school activities/events, and district organized virtual events. When safe to do so, Board members will participate in in-person engagement opportunities.
- The Board will adopt legislative priorities for the next biennium and actively participate in advocacy on behalf of the District in regards to stable and adequate funding.
- The Board will guide the District in becoming an antiracist organization through participation in professional development, policy review, and systemic analysis.
- The Board will be visible as community leaders through actively participating in District/Community virtual events. Visible and engagement opportunities include remote attendance at virtual listening sessions, virtual school activities/events, and district organized virtual events. When safe to do so, Board members will participate in in-person engagement opportunities.
School Board Elections and Prospective Board Member Information Sessions
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February 8, 2021 - Oregon’s school districts, education service districts and community college districts are governed by elected boards. Board actions affect the families of hundreds — even thousands — of students and employees.
Board members represent all students, staff and community members as they work with other board members to craft policy. Some of the Board’s other major responsibilities are to hire and evaluate the superintendent, establish the budget, choose curriculum, set and evaluate goals, guide collective bargaining, and ask voters to approve bond measures and local option levies.
In May of every odd-numbered year, elections are held for a certain number of our School Board positions. This year, positions 1,2,3 and 6 on the Hillsboro School Board, currently held by Erika Lopez, Mark Watson, Martin Granum, and Jaci Spross, respectively, will be up for election.
Anyone who meets the qualifications and is interested in a position is welcome to run. The filing period opened on Feb. 6 and will remain open until March 18. Please see the Washington County Elections website for candidate filing forms and additional information.
We will be holding sessions on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at noon; and on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 3 p.m. to share information on what to expect from board service and the election process. Please join one of these meetings and review the Oregon School Boards Association’s “Get on Board” materials to learn more.
Elecciones de la Mesa Directiva y sesiones informativas para los posibles miembros de la Mesa Directiva
Los distritos escolares, los distritos de servicios educativos y los distritos de universidades comunitarias de Oregón se rigen por las mesas directivas electas. Las acciones de la Mesa Directiva afectan a las familias de cientos, incluso miles de estudiantes y empleados.Los miembros de la Mesa Directiva representan a todos los estudiantes, el personal y los miembros de la comunidad mientras trabajan con otros miembros de la Mesa Directiva para elaborar políticas. Algunas otras responsabilidades principales de la Mesa Directiva son contratar y evaluar al superintendente, establecer el presupuesto, elegir currículos, establecer y evaluar metas, guiar negociaciones colectivas y pedir a los votantes que aprueben medidas de bonos e impuestos de opción local.
En mayo de cada año impar, se llevan a cabo elecciones para un cierto número de puestos en la Mesa Directiva. Este año se realizarán elecciones para los puestos 1, 2, 3 y 6 de la Mesa Directiva de Hillsboro, los cuales actualmente se encuentran ocupados por Erika López, Mark Watson, Martin Granum y Jaci Spross, respectivamente.
Cualquier persona que cumpla con los requisitos y esté interesada en un puesto puede postularse. El periodo para postularse se abrió el 6 de febrero y permanecerá abierto hasta el 18 de marzo. Por favor, visite el sitio web de elecciones del Condado de Washington para obtener los formularios de postulación para los candidatos e información adicional.
Tendremos sesiones el martes, 23 de febrero al mediodía y el miércoles, 24 de febrero a las 3:00 p.m. para compartir información sobre lo que se puede esperar del servicio en la Mesa Directiva y el proceso de elección. Por favor, únase a una de estas reuniones y revise los materiales de “Get on Board” de la Asociación de Mesas Directivas de Oregón para obtener más información.
Announcements
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What makes a good board member?
- Public education advocate
- Skilled decision maker
- Willing to devote time and energy to your volunteer position
- Courage to stand up for your convictions
- Team player
- Understanding the board’s role is governance and the role of the superintendent and her team is to manage the operations of the district.
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How much time is required?
It varies. School board service involves a substantial time commitment as an unpaid volunteer. The Hillsboro School Board typically meets twice a month; you will also need to study the agenda packet prior to the meeting. There are also committee meetings, work sessions and appearances. During these past two years, the board has had an unusually high level of commitments as the board met regarding the implementation of the Student Success Act, COVID-19/Ready Schools Safe Learning as well as our commitment focused on Equity & Inclusion and the Role of SROs in our schools. Attend one of the board’s virtual meetings to learn more!
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How do I become a school board candidate?
Board members are elected to four-year terms. You must be a registered voter and you must have lived in the district for one year immediately preceding the election. School district employees elected to serve on their board must give up district employment to sit on the board.
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When are school board elections?
The next election is May 18, 2021.
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How do I file?
The filing period opens February 6, 2021; candidates must file in Washington County. Prospective candidates can file in one of two ways:
- Submit a petition containing the signatures of 25 registered voters or 10 percent of the registered voters in the district, whichever is less; OR
- Submit a declaration of candidacy with a $10 filing fee
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How can I receive training?
Through workshops and conferences, Oregon School Boards Association equips school board members with the leadership training they need to perform at their best. OSBA provides candidates resources to learn more about being a board member.
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What do I need to know before I start campaigning?
Board candidate campaigns range from simple to sophisticated. One common element, however, is the state requirement for reporting campaign finances. State law limits the sources and amounts of contributions and the purposes for which those contributions may be spent. Contact the Secretary of State Elections Division online or at (503) 986-1518 for guidance.
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How are school board members of color supported?
OSBA helped establish the Oregon School Board Members of Color Caucus in 2016. Caucus members have identified their mission as “to promote quality education for all students with emphasis on the unique needs of students of color.”
Oregon Futures Lab and its partners uplift leaders of color to enter public office and govern effectively.