Traci Flitcraft
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Traci Flitcraft
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Traci Flitcraft was a candidate for at-large representative on the Portland Public Schools school board in Oregon. Flitcraft was defeated in the at-large general election on May 16, 2017.
Biography
Flitcraft's professional experience includes working as a photographer and an email marketing consultant. She received a B.S. in political science from the University of Oregon and earned her associate degree in visual journalism from Brooks Institute of Photography.[1]
Elections
2017
- See also: Portland Public Schools elections (2017)
Three of the seven seats on the Portland Public Schools school board in Oregon were up for at-large general election on May 16, 2017. Since no incumbents filed for re-election, the board was guaranteed to see three newcomers elected. These new members were tasked with hiring a new superintendent and overseeing the implementation of a $790 million bond. A total of 11 candidates filed for the three seats.
In Zone 4, two candidates filed for the seat: Rita Moore and Jamila Munson, with Moore winning the seat. Three filed for the Zone 5 seat: Scott Bailey, Traci Flitcraft, and Virginia La Forte. Bailey won the seat. Six candidates filed for the Zone 6 seat: Zach Babb, Ed Bos, Julia Brim-Edwards, David Morrison, Trisha Parks, and Joseph Simonis, with Brim-Edwards winning the race.[2][3][4][5]
The Portland school board consists of seven members elected at large to four-year terms. While elected at large, each seat on the board has a zone number associated with it, and candidates must live in the zone for which they run. The seat numbers correlate to geographic areas in the district, and serve to separate the elections for each seat on the board into its own race.
Results
| Portland Public Schools, Zone 5 General Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Scott Bailey |
62.51% | 58,052 |
| Virginia La Forte | 26.06% | 24,200 |
| Traci Flitcraft | 10.78% | 10,011 |
| Write-in votes | 0.66% | 609 |
| Total Votes | 92,872 | |
| Source: Clackamas County, "Special District Election," accessed June 12, 2017, Multnomah County, "Multnomah County Election Results," accessed June 12, 2017, and Washington County Elections, "Statement of Votes Cast by Contest," accessed June 12, 2017 |
Funding
The filing deadline in Oregon for a campaign transaction is typically no later than 30 calendar days. However, beginning on the 42nd day before an election day and through the date of the election, a transaction is due no later than seven calendar days after the date it occurred. The dates for the beginning and ending of the seven-day reporting period for the 2017 Oregon school board elections were:[6]
- April 4, 2017 (Seven day campaign finance reporting begins)
- May 16, 2017 (Seven day campaign finance reporting ends)
A school board candidate in Oregon must form a candidate committee unless he or she meets all of the following conditions:[7][8]
- The candidate elects to serve as his or her own treasurer.
- The candidate does not have an existing candidate committee.
- The candidate does not expect to receive or spend more than $750 during a calendar year (including personal funds).
A candidate committee must file a Statement of Organization with the Elections Division of the Oregon Secretary of State within three business days of first receiving or spending money. A form including campaign account information must accompany the Statement of Organization.[7][9]
Candidate committees that expect to receive or spend $3,500 or more in a calendar year are required to report all transactions. A committee that does not expect to receive or spend this much is still required to file a Statement of Organization and designate a campaign bank account, but does not have to file transactions. Instead, they must file a Certificate of Limited Contributions and Expenditures.[7][10]
Campaign themes
2017
Flitcraft stated the following on her campaign website:
| “ | Serving as a Portland Public School Board member will not be easy—but I am ready to make the commitment and the tough decisions. I am running because I understand education is the center of any strong, productive community and I have the ability and experience to evaluate the current situation and collaborate with others to find innovative solutions to our schools’ pressing issues.. Portland, in general, needs more community members to step up and ensure that our leaders are taking into consideration Portland’s diversity and Portland’s values. This is what makes Portland so special. While parents and administrators bring an important perspective, Portland Public School District would benefit from engaging a more holistic viewpoint that looks towards the larger community for solutions and implementation of those solutions. However, my priority will always be the students that I serve and all of my decision will be made with this is mind: "What's best for the kids?" I am offering my skills, experience and fresh perspective to help move Portland Public Schools toward a brighter, healthier, and sounder tomorrow.[11] | ” |
| —Traci Flitcraft (2017)[12] |
What's at stake?
2017
Issues in the election
$790 million bond set for ballot
School board candidates discuss $790 million bond and other issues with Willamette Weekly
In addition to voting in the Portland Public Schools election, voters passed a $790 million bond, which the district titled the "Health, Safety, and Modernization Bond."[13] The funds provided by the bond will go towards high school building renovations and additions. The district issued the following statement regarding the bond:
| “ | The proposed $790,000,000 bond would fund renovations and additions at Benson and Madison High Schools, and full rebuilds of Lincoln High School and Kellogg Middle School.
Approximately 30% of the budgets for these projects comprehensively address health and safety issues, including lead and asbestos abatement, roof repairs, seismic upgrades, and accessibility improvements in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If approved by voters, the proposed bond would also fund planning for upgrades of Cleveland, Jefferson, and Wilson High Schools as part of the next series of school modernizations. Additionally, if the bond passes, at least $150 million would fund district-wide health and safety projects, including: Replacing old pipes and fixtures to reduce lead, improve water quality, and reduce the need to use bottled water; Removing or encapsulating exposed lead paint and asbestos; Upgrading fire alarm and/or sprinkler systems; Repairing or replacing leaking or deteriorating school roofs; Improving accessibility for people with disabilities; Improving building foundations and ventilation to decrease radon exposure; and Strengthening school safety and security. If this measure is approved, PPS will also receive $8 million in state capital matching funds, and the funds would be put toward additional health and safety investments. If the proposed bonds are not approved, funds will be awarded to another district.[11] |
” |
| —Portland Public Schools (2017)[14] |
Lone finalist for PPS superintendent withdraws candidacy
The sole finalist for the next Portland Public Schools superintendent, Donyall Dickey, withdrew his candidacy on May 4, 2017. He was named the lone finalist by the board in March, although at the time, the board stated he had not been offered a final contract. Instead, they announced Dickey's vetting process would continue over the next few months. That process came to a halt when he submitted his letter of withdrawal.
The board's chairman, Tom Koehler, said of Dickey's retraction that "a mutual understanding that our expectations for the job were not in complete alignment...Our job as a board is to make the right call for the kids and the district," Koehler said. "And this clearly is the right call."[15] Koehler also cited a report the board had received on May 1. He did not disclose the report's contents but explained it as the culmination of the district's hiring process.
Dickey's withdrawal letter stated:
| “ | After deep reflection, I have decided to pursue other PreK-12 opportunities and to continue my consulting work, supporting other school districts in their effort to implement reforms that improve achievement for all students.[11] | ” |
| —Donyall Dickey (2017)[16] |
Dickey's retraction meant that the three new members of the school board elected in 2017 would be involved in the hiring process for a new superintendent. Some school board candidates expressed their disappointment in the board's failure to hire a leader. Zone 4 candidate Rita Moore commented: "I’m deeply disappointed that the current board leadership failed to manage a successful superintendent search over the last year. I think the new board is going to be able to hit the reset button, and I’m looking forward to working with a new, better PPS."[17] Another candidate, unnamed by Katu 2, was quoted as comparing the leadership of PPS to a "rudderless ship."[17]
The interim superintendent of Portland Public Schools during the 2016-2017 school year was Bob McKean. He stated he did not plan to stay on after his contract expired on July 1, but that he would be available for consultation.[15]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Traci Flitcraft for Portland School Board, "About Traci," accessed May 5, 2017
- ↑ Clackamas County, "Special District Election," accessed May 17, 2017
- ↑ Multnomah County, "Multnomah County Election Results," accessed May 17, 2017
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Washington County, Oregon," accessed May 17, 2017
- ↑ Multnomah County, "May 2017 Special District Election," accessed March 21, 2017
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Oregon Elections Calendar," accessed April 17, 2017
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Oregon Secretary of State, "Campaign Finance Manual - 2014," accessed January 13, 2014
- ↑ Oregon Revised Statutes, "Chapter 260, Section 043," accessed January 13, 2014
- ↑ Oregon Revised Statutes, "Chapter 260, Section 039," accessed January 13, 2014
- ↑ Oregon Revised Statutes, "Chapter 260, Section 057," accessed January 13, 2014
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Traci Flitcraft for Portland School Board, "Traci Is the Right Choice," accessed May 5, 2017
- ↑ KGW, "Historic $790 million Portland school bond passes; here's what it will do," May 17, 2017
- ↑ Portland Public Schools, "Proposed Health, Safety, and Modernization Bond," accessed May 5, 2017
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Oregon Live, "Portland Public Schools' lone finalist for superintendent falls through," May 4, 2017
- ↑ Willamette Week, "Donyall Dickey, Named to be Next Portland Schools Superintendent, Won't Take Job," May 4, 2017
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Katu 2, "School board candidates disappointed in PPS leadership," May 4, 2017
