City Commissioner #1

(This is part of PPS Equity‘s Election ’08 coverage. Some questions are abbreviated here. Please see the main Election ’08 page for the full questions, the full list of candidates and election information.)

1. When was the last time you visited a public school in Portland? What was the purpose of your visit?

I have visited public schools in Portland every school day for the past 17 years, as a parent, volunteer, and PTA policy advocate. Even during my campaign, my staff knows that taking my daughter to school (so we have 15 minutes of bonding/check-in time), and attending events at Wilson, takes priority over other requests for my presence. Yesterday, I also visited Wilson to drop off my daughter’s cell phone, which she left at home and needed to call her father after play practice.

2. Do you have any children or other relatives enrolled in Portland Public Schools?

My daughter is a senior at Wilson High School. My two sons are graduates, having attended our neighborhood schools of Markham, Jackson, and Wilson. My older son starts teacher training at Lewis & Clark in June – he plans to be a high school social studies teacher.

3. Did you attend Portland Public Schools?

No, I was born and raised in Leeds, England. I attended the state schools there. I have lived in Portland for 22 years, since 1986.

4. …If elected, will you do anything to hold the school district accountable to the Flynn/Blackmer audit?

I will work with Portland Public Schools, the other school Boards with students living in Portland, and other jurisdictions including Multnomah County, to hold all our governments accountable for results. As a Registered Nurse, I know the importance of evaluations, and of acting on them. I volunteered on
Ruth Adkins’ election campaign for the PPS School Board, and I will work closely with Ruth and others on all five school boards, to address known problems and find solutions.

5. …If elected, how will you work with the PPS Board of Education to ensure their policies do not work at cross purposes with city policies?

The Oregonian’s endorsement this week noted that I do my homework, and that with my experience as a former Planning Commissioner I am best prepared to monitor the update of Portland’s comprehensive plan in the Portland Plan process. I will intervene when necessary to make sure that citizens and the School Boards have impact, not just input, to produce a much stronger, effective City-Schools policy in the new comprehensive plan. And, I will make sure that plans are implemented, and that studies move to recommendations and actions.

The transfer policy is one factor that has resulted in inequity between Portland’s schools. All schools must be funded at levels which allow full service in core curriculum and a wide range of electives. When classes are provided in schools close to home that meet students’ learning needs, and as congestion and gas prices increase, I am confident more families will choose to attend their neighborhood schools.

6. School closures and school facility decisions heavily affect the livability of the city. What is the role of the city council in influencing these decisions?

The Oregonian’s endorsement this week noted that I do my homework, and that with my experience as a former Planning Commissioner I am best prepared to monitor the update of Portland’s comprehensive plan in the Portland Plan process. I will intervene when necessary to make sure that citizens and the School Boards have impact, not just input, to produce a much stronger, effective City-Schools policy in the new comprehensive plan. And, I will make sure that plans are implemented, and that studies move to recommendations and actions.

The transfer policy is one factor that has resulted in inequity between Portland’s schools. All schools must be funded at levels which allow full service in core curriculum and a wide range of electives. When classes are provided in schools close to home that meet students’ learning needs, and as congestion and gas prices increase, I am confident more families will choose to attend their neighborhood schools.

7. If PPS puts forth a facilities bond of around a billion dollars, what will be your position on this election?

I don’t take positions before hearing public testimony on proposals. Some schools certainly need physical improvements to help teachers teach, and students thrive. Other factors to be considered are the impact on property taxes at a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet, the impact of a major public works construction program on local jobs, and the wider picture of community planning around schools as discussed in the previous question. The outreach program to discuss the bond proposal so far has been inadequate. Many participants felt they were not asked meaningful questions or given real opportunities to affect decisions. More discussion and community education is needed before moving forward with a facilities bond measure.

Some improvements are clearly needed – our schools must be safe facilities providing modern technology, full accessibility in every building, and basic needs like clean drinking water and fresh air. Each school’s Site Council and PTA/PTO, with the Neighborhood Association(s) should participate in identifying the needs with the local facilities. A united voice of parents, students, School Board, local businesses and Neighborhood Associations will carry the greatest weight in my deliberations.

8. What is the specific role of the City Council in helping children in the lower income neighborhoods of Portland?

I will provide basic services in all 95 neighborhoods, by using taxpayers’ money wisely to provide public safety, streets and sidewalks, housing, parks, and excellent schools, citywide. Every child, every citizen, should have access to good services, no matter what income of residents. I will prioritize funding to meet necessities like sidewalks so kids can walk to school, affordable housing, and neighborhood safety. I support the SUN schools after-schools activities in partnership with Multnomah County.

I will support, fund, and publicize apprenticeship programs, so families know that if the student graduates, they can earn $32/hour as an electrician or learn another good paying job. I believe if more kids knew that in 8th grade, more would stay in school and move on to college as well as trades. I will work to restore practical training programs in Portland’s high schools. Electives such as auto mechanics and shop have all but disappeared with the focus on standardized testing in specified academic subjects, Oregon used to offer apprenticeship programs in high schools, in collaboration with community colleges and the trades unions. The joint emphasis was stay in school, earn the diploma, and learn skills that will help young adults earn a good job. Many trades union would like to help offer apprenticeship programs again in high school. They recognize that not every student wants to go to college. Schools should help every student be proud of learning, stay in school, and graduate with the ability to earn a union wage with benefits.

9. …Would you support permanent city supplementary funding, or some kind of local option tax, to bring Portland school funding back to pre-Measure 5 levels?

I will work to restore funding to Portland’s public schools. Since Measure 5 assigns primary responsibility to the state, I will join school funding advocates in Salem to press the Legislature to provide adequate funding. I have participated in Presidents’ Day rallies as a parent since 1991. Now, as an elected official, I will be a leader and spokeswoman for school funding. Local option taxes and assistance from the city must involve full engagement with the community. I will help lead those discussions, and find ways to provide funding that is better than “adequate”. Public schools in Portland will remain strong and become stronger on my watch – that is my promise.

10. Do you have any other thoughts on the roll of city government in the governance of our public schools?

Prosperity in the City and in the School districts is interdependent. I am dismayed that over the 17 years I have participated in school and city issues, interactions have often seemed token gestures or emergency funding stop-gap measures rather than meaningful, ongoing partnerships. The interdependence of great schools and a thriving local economy is not recognized adequately. I am encouraged that Commissioner Sam Adams hired Jane Ames, an outstanding advocate for school issues over decades, to work as his staff leader on schools issues. I will make sure my staff consider schools and families as integral to every aspect of city functioning. Providing basic services in every
neighborhood, looking for ways to bring more good paying jobs to Portland, and supporting schools are my three main policy goals.

We need a new City Commissioner who cares about public schools 24/7/365, not just when running for election. You will not find a candidate or a City Council member more passionate and supportive of public schools than Amanda Fritz. I will be a champion for the many good things still happening in our
public schools, and a watchdog to make sure problems are addressed and resolved. I am endorsed by the Portland Association of Teachers and by hundreds of parents, students, and educators. I am happy that the candidate endorsed by the Oregonian as the strongest, most experienced, and most prepared, also happens to be the only candidate for Position 1 who is currently a parent in Portland Public Schools. I believe I am the best candidate, in part because of everything I’ve learned over 17 years volunteering in our schools. Please visit my web site at www.AmandaFritzforCityCouncil.com, add your name to my Supporters list, and vote for Amanda Fritz on May 20.