Charlie Hales, a champion for public schools

By Mary Nichols of Portland. Mary Nichols is the mother of six young children who attend Portland Public Schools. She is also the Founder of Karmic Marketing, a marketing firm specializing in social media.

My name is Mary Nichols and I'm raising six kids who are all counting on very strong public schools. That's why I'm supporting Charlie Hales for Mayor. We need a passionate, proven advocate for schools in the Mayor's office and also someone who is clever about all the unique ways the city can help our schools. It's not the city's job to run the schools, but it's the job of our Mayor and City Commissioners to come up with every single possible way they can assist the schools with money, supplies, resources and support - in these hard budget times.

We can't count on our state legislature to do enough for our local schools. That's why we also need people at every level of government, including in City Hall.

Here is Charlie's extensive record of actions on behalf of our schools. He wasn't there in 2003 when teachers generously donated their time and he immediately admitted his mistake when it was pointed out. However, in the course of ten years as a City Commissioner, he was involved in dozens of actions on behalf of our schools - including all six Portland school districts, and that meant working with school leadership, parents, teachers and students to get them more help.

You don't have to take my word for it, look at his record:

• 6/29/93, Letter from PPS Superintendent John Bierwirth to Commissioner Hales, essentially saying “please buy our land for parks.”

“I saw your [Commissioner Hales’s] letter to Carol Turner regarding the identification and possible sale of properties owned by the District which may be determined to be “surplus” at this point…The creation and maintenance of superb parks throughout this city is a great attraction and wonderful amenity. If we are considering disposal of properties in “park deficient areas”, now would be a good time to address that deficiency.” [City Archives Folder “Parks- Portland Public Schools"]

• 1/31/96, Ord #169766, Provide $1.5 million to fund PPS core school police functions. YEA vote

• 2/28/96, Ord# 169831, Purchase and acquire land from PPS for Parks. YEA vote

• 7/22/96, Letter to Governor and Legislative Leadership from Portland City Council (including Commissioner Hales) and Multnomah County Board of Commissioners:

“As you know, in addition to the proceeds from the march [June 1, 1996 March for Our Schools], the City of Portland, Multnomah County, and hundreds of individual donors and businesses, stepped forward to provide $23.9 million in emergency resources for Portland-area school districts (including $9 million from City). These funds helped settle a looming teacher strike and allowed for the rehiring of hundreds of school employees who would have otherwise lost their jobs.” [City Archives Folder “Portland Public Schools”]

• 8/1/96, Ord# 170457, Agreement to provide funding to PPS for TLC-TnT summer day camp program, YEA vote

• 4/23/97, Resolution #35603, Support $5.75 billion statewide school funding goal and kickoff of PPS Foundation Schools Matter campaign, YEA vote

• 7/9/97, Ord# 171399, Contract with PPS to provide grant to support the Portland Public Schools capital costs to use cable systems, YEA vote

• 7/16/97, Ord# 171385, Authorize purchase of propane gas through PPS annual supply contract, YEA vote

• 7/23/97, Ord# 171411, Agreement to provide funding to PPS for TLC-TnT summer day camp program, YEA vote

• 8/14/97, Memo from Commissioner Hales to Mayor Katz in reference to the proposed Measure 50 Budget Process:

“The Council itself should discuss and deliberate the requests rather than have presentations. Having a listing and description of all of the requests from Council offices provides the context we need in order to make a decision on school funding. Among other requests, we know which need immediate funding and which can be delayed until mid-year until revenue receipts are secure.” [City Archives Folder City Council- Measure 50 Allocations]

• 8/21/97, Memo from Commissioner Hales to City Commissioners (also faxed to you in entirety):

“Yesterday I had our briefing from Ruth Roth on the financial analysis of the needs of all of the school districts. After looking at the issues I believe the East Portland districts have carefully managed their funds while undergoing significant changes, particularly related to ESL and special education students, and do in fact have important financial needs….While I know this is a different allocation formula than what was used by OFA last year, it seems to me to be simple and straightforward. I propose that the minimum contribution to the schools be as follows:

• Portland Public Schools $2,000,000
• David Douglas $275,371
• Centennial Schools $138,265
• Parkrose Schools $128,013
• Reynolds Schools $87,888” [City Archives Folder City Council- Measure 50 Allocations]

• 1/28/98, Ord# 171958, IGA with Portland Public Schools to plant and maintain trees, YEA vote

• 5/98, Campaigned for increase BIT for 1 year to raise $12.3 million for all Portland Area School Districts to avoid layoffs and boosting class size.

• 6/1/98, Memo from Commissioner Hales to Bureau Directors:

“While the City has made special financial allocations to Portland school districts over the past three years, our bureaus have a number of regular and on-going programs in support of our school districts. We find that we devote about 39 full time equivalent employees and $3,949,305 annually in partnership with Portland area school districts. In the briefing next week I would like to…have a discussion with you and others about the programs and partnerships we are engaged in, what we might do better, or what we might do that we are not engaged in…The desired outcome is that we have partnerships with school districts in which the programs and services the city bureaus provide to schools are meaningful and needed, effective and well coordinated. “ City Archives Folder Title R.C.85.05 [.20]

• 8/12/98, Ord# 172577, Agreement to provide funding to PPS for TLC- TnT summer day camp program, YEA vote

• 3/31/99, Resolution #35780, Agreement between City and Portland Area School Districts to work together on City/Schools Agenda to achieve adequate and stable funding

• 4/7/99, Ord# 173236, Authorize agreement with Portland Public Schools to participate in Youth Gun Anti-Violence Task Force, YEA vote

• 5/19/99, Ord #173378, Contract for construction of school safety projects, YEA vote

• 8/11/99, Resolution #35814, Provide specific source for up to $4 million to all school districts beyond what’s been allocated in City budget, request Governor to sign local option legislation

• 9/22/99, Ord #173787, Agreement to provide funding to PPS for TLC-TnT summer day camp program, YEA vote

• 12/8/99, Ord# 173982, Authorize payment to Portland Public Schools for Sylan School Reading Program, YEA vote

• 4/26/00, Resolution #35882, Support for passage of May, 2000 Local Option Funding for Portland Public Schools

• 5/00, Campaigned for PPS 5 year, $78 million levy for 170 new teachers

• 6/14/00, Ord# 174532, Agreement between Portland Public Schools and City for use of Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Funds, YEA vote

• 5/11, Campaigned, including raising money, for PPS 5 year, $57 million levy to retain 200 teaching positions, and for school bond to rebuild and increase safety in PPS buildings.

Additional ordinances assisted schools technically, but these are representative of those forwarded during Hales’ tenure.

It’s a long list. That’s why I know Charlie is the only candidate ready to make a difference on day one. Join me – support a champion for our schools!