Next Up Action Fund 2021 School Board Endorsements

Please note that an endorsement does guarantee that field (calls or texts) on behalf of the campaign will be done.

It’s time for school district elections! We are particularly interested in races that include candidates and campaigns aligned with our values and are under 35 years old, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQIA+, disabled people, women, low income, and people from marginalized communities.

Going into this election we know what’s on the line, and the opportunity that awaits when we elect people who are driven by values of justice. School boards have the power to create and pass budgets and policies that directly affect students’ lives – and play a key role in shaping protections against, and dismantling institutionalized racism, homophobia, and transphobia. Elected members help decide what curriculum (and whose history) is being taught, whether schools take on restorative practices and work to abolish the School-to-Prison pipeline, if LGBTQ+ students are affirmed in policy decisions, if there is access to childcare programs and services for families, and so much more that affects the wellbeing of students. Dismantling white supremacy happens over multiple terrains, and school boards are an integral place to begin undoing institutionalized forms of oppression.

Next Up high school students lead the entire endorsement process for our endorsements for the May 18th election. Our endorsements were made based on initial questionnaire responses, interview responses during our candidate forum, and the overarching goal to amplify and support young people in Oregon to be leaders in their community. Ultimately, our endorsement process included board members, staff, and students currently involved with the organization.

Position 1, Zone 5: Amanda Squiemphen-Yazzie

Position 3: Ugonna Enyinnaya

Position 6: Erica Fuller

Position 3: Hoa Nguyen

Position 5: Jasia Mosley

Position 3: Jaylyn Suppah

Position 2: Neelam Gupta

Position 5: Kathy Wai

Zone 1: Osvaldo Avila
Zone 3: Ashley Carson Cottingham
Zone 5: Karina Guzmán
Zone 7: María Hinojos Pressey

Position 3: Kirsten Wyatt

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Next Up Action Fund reserved the right to not endorse in any race, because we are using our Mission, Vision, and Values to guide us toward any endorsements. We may decline to endorse in some races entirely. If you have additional questions, please contact Devin Ruiz at devin@nextuporegon.org.