In response to Samantha, PPS Equity’s “endorsement” (and mine) was more an encouragement to two activist educators –Buel and Nancy Smith– to make themselves available for Dan Ryan’s vacant position. And to encourage the board to seriously consider them as potential replacements.

At the time, I knew nothing about an official application process or deadline.

As it stands, Steve Buel appears to be the only applicant with public school classroom experience. I believe that’s what this board needs, not bankers, consultants, engineers, or college professors.

We’ve been down that road. It’s time for a new perspective.

Let me try to explain myself.

Steve Buel was the runner up in the 2005 election for the zone 4 seat. Thousands of Portlanders have already cast their vote for him for this position.

Buel also served a term on the Portland school board, and has significant direct experience in the job, specifically regarding equity (the stated “overarching” concern of PPS administration and of this Web site).

If PPS is serious about doing something about equity in our schools and appointing somebody who can hit the ground running, he’s clearly their man.

Now, if these other applicants have public credibility and policy experience in a different city, that might give me reason to reconsider my endorsement. But if any of them had these credentials in Portland, I expect I would already know about them.

(Do note that I’ve invited all candidates to introduce themselves here. My endorsement doesn’t end the discussion, on this Web site or anywhere else.)

Looks like they found one, so you don’t need to know anything about the other applicants. Does anyone else think this is a little offensive?