This week's announcement that Supt. Vicki Phillips is leaving Portland Public Schools was deeply disappointing, when so much work remains to be done in this District. It was also surprising given that the Superintendent and the current Board had recently signed a 3-year contract.

Although I questioned some of the initiatives she put forward, I was looking forward to working with Vicki Phillips, especially to help mend the District’s frayed relationships with teachers, principals, and the broader community. In my conversations with Vicki, she agreed this was an area that needed greater attention.

A time like this really calls for a good relationship with the community. This is one of the main reasons why I am running for school board — to help restore trust in the district, and to help repair relationships both with teachers and District employees and with the broader community of parents and neighbors. I bring a decade of experience both inside school buildings, with PTA and parent communities, with teachers and principals, as well as outside the buildings, all across Portland as a community advocate.

I look forward to joining the rest of the Board as they take on the most important task they will ever do as a Board— recruiting and hiring a new Superintendent. My market research and data analysis expertise, coupled with my genuine connections to and credibility in our community, will be great assets in the recruiting process. The Board needs to vet the candidates, by analyzing and researching their background and accomplishments; the Board also needs to consult systematically and effectively with a variety of stakeholders to gather input about what qualities Portland is looking for in its next Superintendent. But, the ultimate decision — and the accountability for choosing the right person — rests with the Board. It will be an honor to have the responsibility and privilege of helping find a great leader for Portland Public Schools.

Update: OPB News story by Rob Manning: Phillips' Departure Takes Portland Schools By Surprise

...But school board candidate Ruth Adkins called the move "deeply disappointing."

Ruth Adkins: "Especially because so much work is left in the district. And it was also surprising considering the Superintendent and the board had just signed a 3-year contract. You know, I've questioned some of the initiatives that the Superintendent put forward, but I was really looking forward to working with her to mend the relationships with teachers and the community."

Update 4/27: The more I think about it, the more I realize how important it is to have some new blood on the board to meet this challenge. In particular, we need someone with my relationships and credibility in the community, to help bring to the table many of the folks who are feeling burned and alienated by the current leadership. With the backing of the Oregonian, Willamette Week, and the Portland Tribune, clearly I am the right person for the job and for Portland.