^ ^ o r t l a n b (Oh s er u er
M a rc h 9. 2 0 0 5
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Lolenzo Poe Tìirns Down Second Board Term
and father-in-law, two men 1 loved
and respected and with whom I
never had quite enough time to
spend. The horror of facing two
tragic automobile accidents that
almost took the lives of my young
est two daughters, who it seems
were also robbed of quality time,
along with their brother and older
sister.
During these tragic moments I
made a very quiet personal commit
ment and prayer, that I would take
time formy family and myself. I now
must honor that commitment.
So it is with love in my heart and
faith in the board and our new su
perintendent that I have decided
not to run for a second term on the
Portland Public School Board.
I will not, however, be far away
nor will I quit working on issues
School leader
cites district
gains, hopes
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Upon my election to the Port
land Public School Board, 1 made a
commitment to give my full energy
and my time to the district’s issues
and its children. To be the voice for
those who often did not have one,
to help bridge the breach between
issues that divided both the School
Board and underrepresented com
munities, to bring back credibility
to the District, and to support the
wonderful people who work daily
on behalf of our children.
I found a district facing many
challenges: from funding crisis, to
racial crisis, to deep achievement
disparities. All of these challenges
compounded by a leadership and
community confidence gap.
I w on’t say that in my time on the
board all of the issues I have men
tioned have been resolved, but sig
nificant progress has been made.
One major accomplishment has
been the hiring of what I believe to
be the most outstanding urban
superintendent. In Dr. Vicki Phillips,
leadership and confidence has been
restored to the Portland Public
School District.
As difficult as it seemed, I have
enjoyed my time on the board. G et Lolenzo Poe
ting to know the many talented and
committed staff, administrators and effecting the quality and equity of
teachers; visiting our schools and education for all of our children. It
seeing first hand what a truly out is my hope that the board and Dr.
standing job they do each and ev Phillips can find some way in which
ery day; and seeing the wonder of I can be o f assistance to a district
children’s eyes and smiles as they which has been a part o f my life
learn, has been more compensation since kindergarten.
Four years ago, I came to the
than I ever could have hoped to
board with three simple but daunt
receive.
And having the opportunity to ing goals to keep a focus on the
work with my fellow Board Mem business of the district, which is to
bers, both “the old and the new educate all our children: To ensure
Board” has been a blessing that I that the issue of a persistent achieve
ment gap was in every discussion
will always carry with me.
But also during my four years of and decision we had to make at the
service to the District, my family district and school level; to provide
and I faced many tragedies and strong leadership from the board in
hardships. Losing both my father order to restore credibility with the
taxpayers, the school community,
and all our partners and to be ac
countable both financially and aca
demically; and to be a strong role
model for children of color who do
not often see positive images of
themselves in this city and thus
have no reason to believe all things
are possible.
It has been an honor to lead the
board with Julia Brim-Edwards dur
ing a most critical period for our
school and the community. The
board, Portland Public Schools and
the city needed strong board lead
ership, and we delivered.
Under our leadership, educa
tional achievement once again be
came the focus of the district, and
achievement levels, while not yet
where we want them to be, are up
throughout the district. We are
ment in the district. The Annenberg
Institule’sCentral Office review and
its recommendations now allow the
Superintendent to restructure the
Central Office support system.
There is so much left to do:
We can and must be the first
urban district to close the achieve
ment gap. This can be accomplished
if we and all of our partners stay
focused and rem em ber it’s not
about us, it’s about the children.
Racial isolation and mistrust is a
growing cancer in the district that
must be addressed.
Permanent funding for our dis
trict must become a reality soon or
our district will be irreparably dam
aged.
The debate about class size and
locations will continue to be an
issue as we lose populations as a
We can and must be the first
urban district to close the
achievement gap. This can be
accomplished if we and all of
our partners stay focused and
remember its not about us, its
about the children.
- School Board Member Lolenzo Poe
1 want to thank the citizens of
this district for giving me the op
portunity to serve and to give back
to a city and a district that has given
so much to me. And to the Portland
Public Schools staff and the school
community for all the support you
have given to me.
I only hope I have served you
well.
Lolenzo Poe
School Hoard Member
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seeing gains for the poor and for
our children of color.
A world-class instructional leader
was hired and is at the helm of the
district. With the hiring of Dr. Vicki
Phillips, great things will happen if
we all support her and her efforts.
A strong and functional board is
in place that is focused and commit
ted to achievement and account
ability.
The board has rebuilt commu
nity confidence in the Portland
Public School District and increased
board visibility in schools and the
community. It has engaged the tax
payer and demonstrated that we
recognize the value of their invest
result of middle class flight and
gentrification.
An appropriate level of support
for a high performing board is not a
luxury, but a necessity that must be
provided.
It has been such an honor to
have served this district the past
four years and to have engaged in
great discussions with top educa
tors around the district, to see the
facesofourchildren enjoying learn
ing and watching dedicated pro
fessionals do what they do best,
and to learn from great union lead
ership who have always demon
strated that they care passionately
about this district.
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