The following information is copied from the information that the candidates themselves submitted for VOTE411.org.
All candidates were invited to submit their biographical information and to answer our questions. Candidates may enter their information up until Election Day, May 18.
La información en español está debajo de la información en inglés.
At Large, Position 2
Leo Morley has not responded yet. He has a statement on page M-17 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet.
Helen Ying, MESD Board Member, Current; Retired She has a statement on page M-17 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet. She also was interviewed for our Video Voters’ Guide.
Portland, OR 97242
Questions
1. The District provides a wide range of important services to school districts and students. Describe one or two functions of the Education Service District that offer you an opportunity to address challenges faced by students because of the pandemic.
Leo Morley has not responded yet.
Helen Ying: The students served at MESD have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. We serve medically fragile kids in hospital settings, incarcerated youth, and kids whose behavioral needs make distance learning hard. MESD educators delivered school supplies and materials, including computers, to students’ homes regularly so they could continue distance learning. School staff did home visits, and limited in-person classes were held outdoors so students could still have some consistency in their lives. I’m also pleased that we turned Fiesta Diciembre, a favorite annual event for families in our Migrant Ed program, into a mobile outdoor event, providing masks and food to migrant families who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID.
MESD helped coordinate PPE deliveries for all component districts and was integral in coordinating vaccine rollout for all the educators in the region so students could get back in the classroom as soon and as safely as possible.
2. Voters are often less familiar with the functions of the Education Service Districts than they are with their local school districts. What specifically motivated you to serve on the ESD Board?
Leo Morley has not responded yet.
Helen Ying: My entire career has been about empowering students and my community. I worked in public schools in Multnomah and Clackamas counties for more than 30 years, first as a math teacher, then as a counselor, then as a vice-principal, and eventually as a hearings officer. Through all of those positions I interacted with students who were falling through the cracks and I was able to understand the vital role that the Multnomah Education Service District plays in the lives of kids who are often disadvantaged.
I immigrated to the Pacific Northwest from Hong Kong when I was 11 years old. And while I was able to get a great public education here, I can understand how difficult it can be to feel comfortable in a learning environment for students who feel different or excluded. I want every student to have access to equitable opportunities, which is why I choose to bring my skills, life experience, and love for my community and for students to MESD.
3. Outline your plan to use District funding as efficiently as possible to provide necessary services to as many students as possible.
Leo Morley has not responded yet.
Helen Ying: I am proud that during my time at MESD, I’ve helped implement new success metrics. Taxpayers deserve to know that programs are hitting targets, and students and their families are better served when we are constantly striving to improve.
Program report cards are now in place for every school and program in the ESD. These are matched with surveys of partners that serve students, such as hospitals and long-term care/treatment programs and juvenile justice facilities, to provide a comprehensive picture of performance.
Staff evaluation has been improved and is now paired with supervisor surveys. This process allows personalized feedback to each supervisor to improve their performance. The new superintendent evaluation tool also ensures effective leadership.
Each of these assessments leads to an alignment that is critical for adhering to best practices and helps the board streamline improvement system-wide.
Zone 2, Position 3
Mary Bodkin has not responded yet. However, she was interviewed for our Video Voters’ Guide and has a statement on page M-18 in the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet. She is a current member of the board.
Walt Karnstein has not responded yet. He has a statement on page M-18 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet.
Zone 4, Position 4
Jessica Arzate, Chief Impact Officer. She has a statement on page M-19 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet. She is a current member of the board.
Gabriel Braet has not yet responded. He has a statement on page M-19 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet.
Questions
1. The District provides a wide range of important services to school districts and students. Describe one or two functions of the Education Service District that offer you an opportunity to address challenges faced by students because of the pandemic.
Jessica Arzate: This year, our kids have experienced unprecedented challenges. Though our kids are resilient, the impacts of the pandemic are still not fully clear. As we transition out of the pandemic, we need leadership that is connected to kids and their families and supports multiple pathways for student success. The close connection MESD staff have to students and their families has created opportunities for staff and district leadership to quickly shift into action. Additionally, there is significant evidence that there has been considerable learning loss among students. Students who are seeking multiple pathways to graduation with a standard diploma and post-secondary options can enroll at Helensview. MESD provides a powerful platform to lift students up through its resources and collaborative relationships with school districts that serve our communities’ students.
Gabriel Braet has not responded yet.
2.Voters are often less familiar with the functions of the Education Service Districts than they are with their local school districts. What specifically motivated you to serve on the ESD Board?
Jessica Arzate: The MESD serves eight school districts in Multnomah County by providing critical resources like school nurses, educational support for students in the justice system and students with disabilities, outdoor school, and technology services that strengthen students and schools in our community. Education is my life, both personally and professionally. I understand the challenges of the vulnerable student populations MESD serves because I’ve faced similar challenges as a product of alternative education. Statewide, we are seeing a rapidly diversifying K12 student population and this fuels my passion and eagerness to make sure Multnomah County becomes a thriving city for everyone. I believe that Multnomah County is filled with individuals who share that same passion and will work tirelessly to advocate for our most vulnerable.
Gabriel Braet has not responded yet.
3. Outline your plan to use District funding as efficiently as possible to provide necessary services to as many students as possible.
Jessica Arzate: As the MESD Vice-Chair, I bring the experience and track record with community to lead and will continue to:
-Improve inclusive and comprehensive education. This means education that is inclusive of and centers family voice and community so that we build a strong, resilient region.
-Increase and maintain the diversity of the educator workforce. A diverse educator workforce is an important strategy for improving learning especially for students of color and for closing opportunity gaps. It will take intentional and ongoing support to build a stable and diverse educator workforce.
-Support trauma-informed practices and mental health support for students. Our students have experienced unimaginable challenges and grief this past year. I will prioritize strategies that support kids and their families having the ability to provide.
-Support statewide equitable systems. Ensuring that resources are allocated to students that have been historically or are currently underserved.
Gabriel Braet has not responded yet.
En Español:
1. El Distrito proporciona una amplia gama de importantes servicios a los distritos escolares y al estudiantado. Describa una o dos funciones del Distrito de Servicios Educativos con las que usted pueda atender los desafíos que enfrenta el sector estudiantil debido a la pandemia.
Jessica Arzate: Este año, nuestros niños han pasado por desafíos sin precedentes. Aunque nuestros niños son resistentes, los impactos de la pandemia aún no están completamente claros. Mientras salimos de la pandemia, necesitamos un liderazgo que esté conectado con los niños y sus familias y que apoye múltiples caminos para el éxito de los estudiantes. La conexión que el personal de MESD tiene con los estudiantes y sus familias ha creado oportunidades para que el personal y el liderazgo del distrito se pongan en acción rápidamente. Adicionalmente, existe evidencia significativa de que ha habido una pérdida considerable de aprendizaje entre los estudiantes. Los estudiantes que buscan múltiples vías para graduarse con un diploma estándar y opciones postsecundarias pueden inscribirse en Helensview. MESD proporciona una plataforma poderosa para elevar a los estudiantes a través de sus recursos y relaciones de colaboración con los distritos escolares que sirven a los estudiantes de nuestras comunidades.
2. La población votante suele no estar tan enterada de las funciones de los Distritos de Servicios Educativos como de sus distritos escolares locales. ¿Qué le motivó específicamente para trabajar en la Junta de Servicios Educativos del Distrito?
Jessica Arzate: El MESD proporciona servicios a ocho distritos escolares en el condado de Multnomah incluyendo recursos críticos como enfermeras escolares, apoyo educativo para estudiantes en el sistema de justicia y estudiantes con discapacidades, escuelas al aire libre y servicios tecnológicos que fortalecen a los estudiantes y las escuelas de nuestra comunidad. La educación es mi vida, tanto personal como profesionalmente. Entiendo los desafíos de las poblaciones estudiantiles vulnerables a las que sirve MESD porque me he enfrentado a desafíos similares como producto de la educación alternativa. En todo el estado, estamos viendo una población de estudiantes de K12 que se diversifica rápidamente y esto alimenta mi pasión y entusiasmo por asegurarme de que el condado de Multnomah se convierta en una ciudad próspera para todos. Creo que el condado de Multnomah está lleno de personas que comparten la misma pasión y trabajarán incansablemente para defender a nuestros más vulnerables.
3. Mencione un plan para usar el financiamiento de los Distritos de la manera más eficiente posible para proporcionar los servicios necesarios a la mayor cantidad posible de estudiantes.
Jessica Arzate: Como Vicepresidenta de MESD, tengo la experiencia y conexión con la comunidad para liderar y continuaré a:
-Mejorar la educación inclusiva. Esto significa una educación que sea inclusiva y centre la voz de la familia y la comunidad para que podamos construir una región fuerte y resiliente.
-Aumentar y mantener la diversidad de la fuerza laboral de los educadores. Una fuerza diversa de educadores es una estrategia importante para mejorar el aprendizaje, especialmente para los estudiantes de color y para cerrar las brechas de oportunidades. Se necesitará apoyo intencional y continuo para construir una fuerza laboral educativa estable y diversa.
-Apoyar prácticas informadas sobre trauma y apoyo de salud mental para estudiantes. Daré prioridad a las estrategias que apoyen a los niños y sus familias para que tengan la capacidad de prosperar.
-Apoyar sistemas equitativos en todo el estado. Segurare que los recursos se asignen a los estudiantes que históricamente han sido desatendidos.
Zone 5, Position 1
Susie Jones has not responded yet. She has a statement on page M-20 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet. She is a current member of the board.
Amanda Squiemphen-Yazzie has not responded yet. She has a statement on page M-20 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet.