Oregon Futures Lab Is Shaking Up the Stateâs Elected Leadership at Every Level
âWe realized getting people into public office isnât enough,â says OFL executive director Ana del RocÃo. âWe need to follow through with the support during their years of governance, especially for new leaders.â
By
Gosia Wozniacka
3/8/2021 at 9:00am
Published in the March 2021 issue of
Portland Monthly
Portland-based nonprofit Oregon Futures Lab, and its associated Color PAC, has been working since 2014 to seed and support progressive leaders of color at all levels of government around the state.
People of color may make up a quarter of Oregonâs population, but they represent a far lower percentage of elected officials across the state. BIPOC candidates face multiple hurdles: lack of access to donors and gatekeepers, low pay once in office (or no payâschool board members are volunteers), and the psychological toll of public service.
Jefferson County School Board set to interview 3 superintendent finalists
Public invited to take part in next week s interviews
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) The Jefferson County School District 509J Board of Directors will be conducting interviews next week with three finalists to become the next superintendent.
The interviews will take place on the evenings of Tuesday, March 2, Wednesday March 3 and Thursday, March 4.
The new superintendent will succeed Ken Pershall, who announced last fall his plans to retire as of June 30.
Opportunities to meet each candidate will be held at the Performing Arts Center, 412 Buff Street in Madras, from 7-8 p.m. on each of the three evenings. Candidate evening meetings will be open to the public and available via YouTube stream to accommodate more of the community for viewing, due to capacity seating due to COVID. Limited seating in the PAC will be on a first-come, first-serve basis and in compliance with current COVID restrictions.