Columbia Gorge News
www.columbiagorgenews.com
Wednesday,May5,2021
13
ELECTION
HOOD RIVER VALLEY PARKS
AND RECREATION DISTRICT
HOOD RIVER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT - AT LARGE
Heidi Parr
Jennifer Kelly
1) Why did you decide to run for a position on the Hood
River County school board?
I decided to run for school board because,
as a working mom with two middle school
boys who are active in sports, I have a vested
interest in helping Hood River schools be
the best places for our kids. I want to give
back to the community I live in and this
opening on the school board was perfect
timing for me professionally and personally.
Heidi Parr
I am also a union member and feel I can
bridge the gap between the hardworking
school employees and our hardworking parents. And, it
goes without saying, these are unprecedented times and I
want to see our kids lives getting back to normal as quickly
and safely as possible.
1) Why did you decide to run for a position on the
Hood River County school board?
Running for the board is the next logical
step for me having actively participated in a
number of board and district related efforts.
I regularly attend school board meetings
and am familiar with issues pertaining
to the district. I have developed positive
working relationships with existing board
members and been diligently working with
Jennifer
district administration on issues related to
Kelly
instruction during the pandemic. I was a
member of the Ready Schools Safe Learners
planning committee, The May Street Elementary School
Site Council, I have become familiar with board processes,
procedures, and policies and have voluntarily completed
board member trainings to help come to workable solu-
tions for everyone.
2) What is your background/profession, and where do
you live?
I live in Hood River and have been here for 26 years. I grew
up in the public schools in Vancouver, Wash. I attended
Washington State University where I received a BA in Public
Relations. I am a Fire Captain with the Vancouver Fire
Department and was a paramedic for 22 years. I am active
in our community and have been volunteering in my kids
classrooms for the last 9 years. I am a member of Alpha
Gamma, which is a philanthropic organization that serves
our community through volunteer work, fund raising and an
annual blood drive.
3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to
serve on the board?
My Priorities if selected to serve on the board would focus
on creating more transparency so parents are informed
about how decisions are being made and how they will
impact their families. Many parents across the district feel
like they have lost their voice. I want to help create an atmo-
sphere for all voices to be heard and valued.
4) What changes do you think the district needs to
make?
As a firefighter responding to 911 calls, I have seen
firsthand how closed schools and quarantines during the
pandemic have trapped vulnerable kids in horrible condi-
tions. The district should refocus on core curriculum and
getting our kids safely back into full-time school and sports
as quickly as possible. I believe the district needs to rally to
support ALL students and commit to helping each learner
reach their potential. Excellence for every kid, every day.
2) What is your background/profession, and where do
you live?
I have lived in Hood River for 25 years and raised two
girls in the Hood River School District; currently I have
a senior and a freshman at the Hood River Valley High
School. I have an M.S. in Fisheries Science from Penn
State University, and a B.S. in Natural Resources from the
University of Michigan. I have spent my professional career
working in various analytical positions in electric utility
industry and alongside IBEW union members. In my free
time, I love to watch my girls play sports, run, backpack,
hike, travel and ski.
3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you
to serve on the board?
Responsiveness: I’m committed to being responsive to
everyone in the district. Constituents will hear back from
me.
Genuine Input: Strengthen existing opportunities for
receiving input on topics that matter most to parents.
Constituent’s opinions matter.
Innovation: Maintain an active commitment to working
with administrators and educators to “get to yes” on issues
facing the district. I will think outside the box.
Balancing all Sides: Maintain room for constructive and
thoughtful feedback. I will hear and listen to alternative
views.
Engagement: I’ll be dedicated to understanding prob-
lems and digging in to solve them. I will put in the time.
Nan Noteboom
1) Why did you decide to run for a
position on the Hood River Valley Parks &
Recreation board?
I originally decided to run because I be-
lieve that more women should hold public
office. I also hoped to equitably represent
Odell and Parkdale.
2) What is your background/profession,
Nan
and where do you live?
Noteboom
This is my 25th year as a high school
teacher at Hood River Valley High School. I also am the own-
er/broker of Noteboom Realty. I live in beautiful north Odell.
3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to
serve on the board?
I am an incumbent; I am hoping to see some of the proj-
ects we have started come to fruition.
4) What changes do you think the district needs to
make?
The Hood River Parks and Rec District desperately needs
sustainable funding. We currently have one of the lowest
property tax rates in the state for districts our size, yet our
community demands parks, trails, and recreational pro-
gramming. We also need a new pool. If we want parks, trails,
a public pool, and green space, we must have sustainable
funding.
Anna C. Cavaleri
Anna Cavaleri did not repond to the questionnaire.
According to her election filing, Cavaleri is a Hood River
resident currently working as an attorney with Jaques Sharp
Attorneys at Law. She holds a Bachelor of Science in busi-
ness from Regis University and a Juris Doctorate in law from
University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
She is currently serving on the parks and recreation dis-
trict board.
4) What changes do you think the district needs to
make?
Focus: we’ve all been distracted by a variety of demands
and challenges (not just pandemic related) and I’d like for
teachers and kids to be able to refocus on what they are in
school to do; focus on rigorous academics for kids at all lev-
els of achievement. Visit www.jenkellyforschoolboard.com.
HOOD RIVER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
POSITION 2
Barb Hosford
1) Why did you decide to run for a
position on the Hood River County School
District board?
Kids first! I want to give back to my com-
munity and school district -helping make
tough decisions and make connections
with taxpayers. 21st Century challenges
shift rapidly and a school board has a huge
responsibility to make sure HRCSD remains
a solid school district, a fiscal leader with a
conservative edge.
SUPPORTING
This year’s event will support Skyline’s Breast Health
Program. This essenal and life-saving program
provides assistance for breast cancer screenings and
diagnosc tests for under/uninsured individuals –
regardless of age or gender. It also supports the
purchase of the latest breast health technology,
which is vital for early detecon.
/ fo u n
d a o
THANK YOU CHAMPION PARTNERS!
n /e v
e nts
Julia Garcia-Ramirez did not respond to the
questionnaire.
According to her election filing, Garcia-
Ramirez is employed with Mid-Columbia
Children's Council as Hood River area man-
ager. Her educational background includes a
Bachelor of Science from Ashford University
in early childhood program administration.
Her prior governmental experience inlcudes
two terms on the school board.
h . o rg
Julia Garcia-Ramirez
Be Ready! Sign in! Explore the event! Make a donaon!
View & Bid on Aucon Packages!
healt
4) What changes do you think the district
needs to make?
Growing the trades and vocational training
curriculum i.e., Career Technical Education
POSITION 3
Saturday, May 15, 6 p.m.
through Sunday, May 16, 9 p.m.
yline
3) What will your top priorities be if vot-
ers select you to serve on the board?
• Representing & connecting the board to
Hood River county community members
• Bringing teaching experience to the table
• Being familiar with Oregon school culture
and our aspiring students
• Collaboration is a strength of mine, repre-
senting all parents, taxpayers & students fairly
EDITOR'S NOTE:Althoughovertherequested
wordcount,theabovecandidatehasbeenrunin
fullastheyarerunningunopposedandspaceis
available.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE!
Join Skyline Foundaon for its annual
virtual event “SHINE ON!”
my s k
2) What is your background/profession,
and where do you live?
I live in the city limits of Hood River, Or.,
3rd generation Oregonian born in Hood
River and raised in The Dalles, graduated
Puyallup High School 1971, earned a BS in
Education from Oregon State University ‘76
and MAT from Lewis and Clark College, ‘80.
Having taught secondary classes, that alone
gives me experience that I can draw from;
I have experience with budgets, writing
curriculum, managing groups, develop-
ing community partnerships, maintaining
facilities and teaching students (31). I was
Hood River County School District First Aid
and CPR/AED certified trainer (15). I have
been an OSAA Varsity Women’s Tennis coach
(21), Varsity Women’s Volleyball Coach (14),
Varsity Track and Field Coach (2), active
Oregon Women’s Sports Leadership member,
and a curriculum writer for HRVHS Physical
Education, Sports Medicine, First Response
Classes (14); a member of Northeast Oregon
Area Health Education Center (7) linking
rural Oregon to health career opportuni-
ties to students interested in Science and
Health Careers from 6th grade-12th grade
and a Future Health Professionals of Oregon
Advisor(20). Previously, I taught high school
9-12 in Oregon at Centennial High School,
Wy’East Middle School and Hood River
Valley High School. I am a retired educator.
(CTE). HRCSD was a leader in the state of
Oregon as our secondary track was formed
on the trades; now we are hyper- focused
on STEM; not all students have an interest
in Science, Technology, Engineering and
Math. Yes, students need those skills to be
competitive; CTE provides vocational trades
to prepare those students who are not college
track students.
All students are Americans, and all people
are important. Less focus on equity and
more focus on equality. Leave the Critical
Race Theory out of the classroom. Encourage
teachers to upgrade lessons’ integrity leaving
politics out of the classroom. Get back to
basic education in a competitive world with
emphasis on reading, writing, math and tech-
nology. We also need to develop the whole
child with American values and appreciation
for our country. Many current practices, poli-
cies and procedures were implemented in the
20th Century and are valid today; providing
direction and knowledge pathways for kids in
21st Century schools.
POSITION 6
Brandi Shepard
Brandi Shepard did not respond to the
questionnaire.
According to her election filing, Shepard
is currently employed with Providence Hood
River Memorial Hospital. Her educational
background includes a Bachelor of Science
in Human Development and Family Studies
from Oregon State University.
THANK YOU!
WARRIOR PARTNERS:
Best Western PLUS Hood River Inn
Blue Room Architecture & Design
First Interstate Bank
FLYNN BEC, LP
USI
ADVOCATE PARTNERS:
Columbia Bank
Insitu
NorthShore Medical Group
Skyline Health Medical Clinic
For more informaon, please
contact Dawn Nielson at
dnielson@myskylinehealth.org
or 509-637-2603.
@MySkylineHealth
@skyline_health
My Skyline Health
HOOD RIVER | THE DALLES | WHITE SALMON
Columbia Gorge News