DISTRICT BOARD ENDORSEMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

With the upcoming May 21 special election comes four Mt. Hood District Board positions up for grabs, and many folks with Mt. Hood ties looking to fill or retain those seats on the seven-member panel. 

Running unopposed for Zone 3 (Parkrose area) is newcomer Andrew Speer. For Zone 5 (Rockwood area), running unopposed is incumbent board member Kenney Polson. Running for Position 6 (at-large) are former board member and chair Diane Noriega and newcomer Courtney Helstein. Running for Position 7, at-large, are current board members Tamie Tlustos-Arnold and Teena Klawa-Ainslie, as well as new candidate LaVerne Lewis. 

For more detailed information on all of the candidates, please read our profiles.

After attending nearly every board meeting and work session over the 2018-19 academic year, we at the Advocate have gained a general set of expectations for board members, as we’ve had the chance to witness some great work and discussions take place this year.  

We expect board members to show up for meetings and be prepared for what’s on the agenda, but beyond that, be prepared to engage and actively contribute to discussions. Sometimes your view isn’t popular, but sharing it is important and it’s why you were elected. 

We also believe that the commitment of board members goes beyond the monthly board work sessions and meetings. It means getting out in the community to advocate for community college support; going to Salem to talk to our elected representatives about the need for community college funding; understanding the demographics of MHCC students, staff, and faculty; and understanding the East Multnomah County economy and its challenges.

Board members have to be willing to have hard conversations, and make hard decisions. Being on the board of a college with declining enrollment, increasing tuition costs, and a tight budget can’t be easy, but that’s why it’s particularly important to not forget the positive things happening at MHCC. 

Whenever the budget comes up in meetings, the tone often shifts to one of sadness and feeling stuck in place. What’s often forgotten is how many incredible things are taking place already every day on campus. Working within our resources to do what’s best for students and the college is a priority. 

It’s also important that board members understand their role versus the role of the college administration, and keep that in mind during the decision making process and in discussions. 

We hope current and future board members will keep these things in mind to best represent the community and in fulfilling their duties as a board member. 

ENDORSEMENTS 

The Advocate would like to express our support for Tamie Tlustos-Arnold for Position 7 (at-large). We think her passion for Mt. Hood Community College, her dedication to the board, engagement during meetings, and ideas for the future make her a strong candidate for another term. 

While Klawa-Ainslie has been connected with the college from its beginning, we feel that as a whole Tlustos-Arnold currently brings stronger problem solving skills and more effective involvement to the board.

We would also like to express our support for Diane Noriega for Position 6 (at-large). We believe her combined experience in education, administration, and previous experience on the board make her a prime candidate for the position. The fact that she has stayed connected to the college by serving on the MHCC Foundation shows she is committed to supporting the institution. 

Assuming their election by voters, we wish the best to unopposed candidates Andrew Speer and Kenney Polson and look forward to seeing what they also bring to the table the next four years.