Putting Our Students First
Accountability Integrity Compassion Experience Collaboration
The Medford School District is at a unique inflection point. There has been some internal struggle, and with the recent change in leadership, it has a great opportunity to chart a new path forward. I've helped shepherd organizations though difficult and contentious times. I'm a listener and a consensus-builder. Most everyone I've served with will speak to my thoughtful and grounded approach to tackling difficult issues.
I majored in Political Science and Economics at UCLA, and have a significant amount of accounting coursework on top of that. I maintain an active CPA license, and hold a Chartered Financial Analyst designation. So… I know my way around numbers and financial statements. While I believe public education is a public service, my finance and business background gives me a unique perspective on how to run an organization with limited resources, while staying true to the mission of the organization.
I have applied and amplified my skills through the following educational and non-profit organizations:
- Board Treasurer – Roots and Wings Community Preschool: 2013 – 2019
- Board Member – Madrone Trail Public Charter School: 2018 – 2024
- Board Treasurer – Madrone Trail Public Charter School: 2018 – 2023
- Board President – Madrone Trail Public Charter School: 2020 – 2023
- Executive Board Member, VP – Membership: Crater Lake Council, Boy Scouts of America: 2020 – 2024
Board Experience
In scouting, we teach our youth to “leave the campsite better than they found it.” Each of these organizations had significant financial difficulties when I arrived, and I’m happy to report that they were much better off when my service ended. Through my service at Madrone Trail, I also learned the ins and outs of public meeting laws, and educational funding and reporting. I’ve helped shepherd these organizations through some difficult internal conflict a few times as well, and never run from these challenges.
Why I'm Running...
My days of resume-building are over. I’m not running for ego or ambition. I have an ingrained sense of service to others, and I feel “called” to action when I see a problem that isn’t going to solve itself unless I get involved. When I set out to tackle a problem, I strive to bring integrity, accountability, and compassion to everything I do. For more on that, please proceed to check out my Agenda…
I wasn’t born here, but I got here as fast as I could!
I was born to a family predominantly of teachers. My mom, dad, step-dad, both my aunts, an uncle, etc., all spent their careers in public education. While I chose to stray from the herd and go into business, I have a deep appreciation for the work that teachers put into their profession, and I have lots of trusted resources to provide guidance and “check” me when the world of public education seems a little too hard to understand.
The Rogue Valley is Home
My wife and I were married in 2003, and promptly moved to the Rogue Valley, and have been here ever since! We love the outdoors, the seasons, and the friendly people. We now have three kids we’re raising here, one at South Medford High School, and the other two at Madrone Trail Public Charter School (in the Medford School District).
Drive & Motivation
In my youth, I learned to be driven and self-motivated. I took as many honors and AP courses I could, participated in three sports in high school, and made time to pursue other extracurricular activities, such as scouts (yes, I’m an Eagle scout!). I believe it is our responsibility as parents to provide kids exposure to various activities and interests, and instill the drive to excel, and everything else should take care of itself.
Agenda
The Medford School District can and should be doing a better job of serving its residents. You don’t need to take my word for it, MSD is the only district in Jackson County to have declining enrollment 4 years in a row (excluding charter schools). The District has cited declining birthrates, and while there is truth to that, people are also voting with their feet. You can’t address problems when you don’t acknowledge their existence. Student math scores remain unacceptably low, and we need some urgency in addressing this problem. It also seems that the school board and administration cannot adequately address these issues, because they are bogged down in interpersonal conflict. I can bring a level-headed, solution-oriented approach to address the following challenges and opportunities faced by the district:
Bringing People Together
A house divided against itself cannot stand. I listen to people, and I believe I have the skills to help people find common ground, and work together constructively. When we have a common vision and respect for each other, we can move forward together with purpose and expediency.
Boosting District Enrollment
Declining enrollment means declining funds, even if the state allocates more money to education. When funding declines, programs get cut, and schools get closed. This should be avoided if at all possible. Declining birth rates may be part of the problem, but there is also relocation, and many families just choose to go elsewhere. As a patron of one of the district’s charter schools, I understand that inclination to look for alternatives. The district needs to seriously endeavor to understand why families leave the district, and make a concerted effort to win them back. That starts with listening to the concerns of the community, and I intend to lead that charge.
Increasing Student Performance and Outcomes
Recovering from the pandemic has been tough for everyone, but Medford’s student performance is lagging. While plans are in the works to address this, they seem long-term, and our children deserve urgent attention to get them back on track. I intend to ensure student performance and improvement is addressed in both the short and long term, with urgency.
Charter School Equity
The charter school movement is intended to provide choice, but also innovation. Based on enrollment and demand, our charter schools are succeeding where our district-run schools are not. They do this with substantially less funding. Why withhold funds from something that is working great? For our students, we strive for equity, which is giving each child what they need to be successful. The same goes for our charter schools, and I will work to see these injustices corrected, and ensure our district is actually benefiting from charter innovation.
Strengthening Partnerships and Relationships
Partnerships only work when there is a common goal, and when trust and mutual respect exist. Having engaged in charter school negotiations with the district, I can attest that these traits do not always exist, and I’ve heard of numerous more examples from others. I intend to bring integrity, transparency, and compassion to all district partnerships, including with the Medford Education Association, so that we can work together towards common goals.
Focus on Students
We should strive to keep politics out of our schools, and let the teachers teach. Our focus should be to provide a safe and welcoming environment for learning and development to occur. That’s it.
Endorsements
Cynda Rickert
- 44 years in education
- Principal at McLoughlin Middle School: 1995 – 1998
- Principal at South Medford High School: 1998 – 2004
- Oregon Principal of the Year: 2004
- Superintendent of Eagle Point School District: 2007 – 2020
I needed to be reminded of the importance and goodness of board members and [the Madrone Trail School Board] gave me that gift!
Medford Education Association
Garrett West
- Medford City Council Member
Alyssum Barber
- Instructional Coach at Phoenix High School
- Former Teacher and Instructional Coach in Medford School District
- Former Teacher and Board Member at Madrone Trail Public Charter School
Brad Russell
- M. Education
I met Erik at the YMCA and support his level-headed, solution-oriented agenda to strengthen partnerships & relationships, focus on students, increase performance & outcomes, and bring people together.
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