OSBA has released a “A Time to Listen,” a potent documentary on Oregon’s chronic education funding problem and the legislative drive for a solution.
“The American dream is ‘I want to make a better life for my kid,’” Rep. Barbara Smith Warner says on the video. “Education is the most important part of that.”
OSBA unveiled the video Saturday at its 72nd Annual Convention in Portland. The video, part of “The Promise of Oregon” education advocacy campaign that OSBA began in 2014, explains recent school funding history and why the state needs revenue reform.
Both the full video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0DCBcB5Wts) and a shorter web version (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au7DamK3jW8) can also be viewed at the Promise of Oregon website (www.promiseoregon.org).
“We need to get the message out that our schools need to be fully and adequately funded,” OSBA Board President LeeAnn Larsen (Beaverton SD) says on the video.
Through interviews with students, school board members, legislators, parents, business leaders and others, the videos describe the chronic underfunding of the state’s education system. They also offer a sense of hope about Oregonians’ shared commitment to young people and the continuing work of a legislative committee dedicated to identifying solutions.
The videos are part of a campaign focus for 2018-19 on the need for revenue reform and cost containment, with a goal of sustainably and fully funding public schools.
OSBA is a non-profit member services agency for more than 200 locally elected boards serving school districts, education service districts and community colleges.
Website: promiseoregon.org
Twitter and Instagram: @PromiseOregon
Facebook and YouTube: ThePromiseofOregon
Beaverton School Board member Anne Bryan’s passion for public education has earned her the first Oregon School Board Member of the Year award.
Bryan was recognized Saturday at the Oregon School Boards Association’s 72nd Annual Convention in downtown Portland. OSBA launched the Oregon School Board Member of the Year (http://www.osba.org/About-OSBA/OregonSchoolBoardMemberOfTheYear.aspx) award this year to recognize outstanding volunteers who make a difference in their communities.
"Through her dedication she epitomizes what a school board member should be," said OSBA Executive Director Jim Green.
Bryan joined the Beaverton board in 2013 and became board chair in 2015.
“She models for all of us what a school board member looks like,” said Becky Tymchuk, who took over the Beaverton chair position in July.
Bryan has been instrumental in aligning board work with strategic objectives and long-range planning, creating a district rainy-day fund, increasing community engagement, expanding course offerings, and shepherding the 2014 passage of Beaverton’s $680 million construction bond.
Tymchuk said Bryan made sure the board received proper training and resources and she helped keep the board working together. She described Bryan as a great collaborator and a tough act to follow.
“She provides leadership in a way that you want to follow,” Tymchuk said.
Bryan says it’s a team effort. She said she takes pride in knowing the community believes the school board is working together on behalf of students. She credits community support, district staff and her fellow board members for the school board’s successes.
Bryan graduated from Stanford with degrees in history and math and computational sciences. She is chief of staff at Circle Media and volunteers with a half-dozen school-related organizations. Bryan’s husband, John, works at Intel, and she is a mother of four: Peter, 23; Tom, 21; James, 18; and Matthew, 15. The three oldest graduated from Beaverton’s Westview High, and Matthew is a sophomore there.
Although her four sons have certainly influenced her desire to serve on the school board, Bryan said her passion for public education predates becoming a parent.
“I have a fundamental belief in the power of public schools and that board work is important and that it can make a difference,” she said.
Beaverton Superintendent Don Grotting said the board’s character under Bryan’s leadership helped persuade him to take the job in 2016. The board’s engagement and personal touch with the community impressed him.
Grotting pointed to Beaverton’s 86 percent graduation rate and narrowing achievement gap as well as equity programs as proof of Bryan’s leadership. Bryan follows current education trends and issues and she does her homework, he said.
“Her tremendous work ethic and her heart and compassion for education are among the biggest I’ve ever seen,” he said.
Nominees for the new statewide award were considered for their advocacy efforts, leadership and support for student achievement.
A panel of out-of-state school board association executive directors chose Bryan from among four finalists. Bryan’s name will be placed on the OSBA website and engraved on a plaque in OSBA’s Salem office. Bryan also will be able to register for OSBA events free for a year.
Green reminded school board members to keep an eye out for fellow members’ accomplishments and begin considering nominations when they open in January 2019.
OSBA is a non-profit member services agency for more than 200 locally elected boards serving school districts, education service districts and community colleges.