Connie Clemens

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Connie Clemens

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 16, 2023

Education

Bachelor's

Portland State University, 1974

Personal

Birthplace

Aberdeen, S.D.

Religion

Evangelical

Profession

Retired

Connie Clemens ran for election to the Beaverton School District school board to represent Zone 3 in Oregon. She lost in the general election on May 16, 2023.

Clemens completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Connie Clemens was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She earned a bachelor's degree from Portland State University in 1974. She worked as an educator before retirement.

Elections

2023

See also: Beaverton School District, Oregon, elections (2023)

General election

General election for Beaverton School District school board Zone 3

Melissa Potter defeated Maham Ahmed and Connie Clemens in the general election for Beaverton School District school board Zone 3 on May 16, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Melissa Potter (Nonpartisan)	44.8	16,811
	Submit photo	Maham Ahmed (Nonpartisan)	34.3	12,877
		Connie Clemens (Nonpartisan)	20.7	7,778
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	97

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 37,563
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign themes

2023

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Connie Clemens completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Clemens' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I retired from teaching after 30 years. Since then I have traveled to Kenya 13 times to train teachers there. I have also served as the director of a home for homeless teens and women with unplanned pregnancies. Lastly, I volunteered 4 years teaching Math to talented and gifted Math students.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I am very concerned about the reduction in curriculum over the years. We need to take a hard look at what’s been deleted and what’s been added and why.
• I also am concerned about the abysmal scores of our juniors on Oregon’s state tests. We need to put academics first in policy and do everything possible to ensure students are getting a truly exceptional education.

• Communication between the district and school board with parents and the community must be improved. One way to achieve that is to get volunteers back into the buildings. BSD has an abundance of talented and experienced people who can partner with the schools in the education process.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about all our students getting the education that they need to be productive, fulfilled members of our community. As a teacher, I learned how to make my classroom a place where each.student could be successful, no matter what level they were at. Learning was meaningful and rewarding. Our schools need to inject a passion for discovery. Every day, when my grandson comes home from school, I ask “What do you know today that you didn’t know yesterday?” We need passion in our teachers and students to make our education system be first in the world.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I admire a young, married couple who left their jobs to start a project in Kenya for orphaned and abandoned babies in the middle of two slums. They had two small children at the time and were going into a situation with minimal support. I had never met anyone who put their life on hold to serve.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Listening skills. Ability to find compromise. Empathy and boundaries.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Sincere. Truthful. Good listener. Problem solver.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Representing all sides, not just the most vocal.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I had the courage to stand up for what we believe in.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember JFK running for president and the hullabaloo because he was Catholic. I was still in grade school.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Fieldwork picking strawberries. I started when I was 9 and worked every summer in the fields until I was 15.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I could never pick one. I am an avid reader of nonfiction and started a book club many, many years ago which is still a highlight in my retirement.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

“This Little Light of Mine”

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Poverty, addiction, and mental illness have surely impacted my family life. They have all made me stronger and wiser.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

To coordinate between the district administration and teachers and the community.

Who are your constituents?

The voters

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

Listening carefully. Using common sense when no clear cut decision can be made.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

I would spend a lot of time with my constituents so that what I say and stand for is from their lips and not from biased news sources or organizations with unsupported agendas.

What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?

Good teachers teach at multiple levels and incorporate different learning styles. They love learning and find ways to help their students love to learn too. They build relationships with their students, offering lots of praise and encouragement.

In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?

I am a big supporter of work-study programs called Career and Tech Education in our district. For some students it is far more meaningful than Algebra or Chemistry. I also think Geography and History deserve more attention than what they are currently receiving. So much of our current events relate directly to these two subjects.

What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?

In Oregon, we have something called a “Kicker” refund. I’d like to see the money go towards school funding instead of being refunded.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Be prepared. Use common sense. Lax discipline begets most trouble.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

In our district, we have wellness centers in our schools that help students connect with all the services available to them in our community. Our centers can even provide services.

What existing district policies would you like to change, or what new policies would you like to implement?

I’d like the Mission Statement to be rewritten. Right now it’s all about how our kids “feel.” Social/emotional learning is important, but I don’t feel it’s the education system’s primary responsibility. Academics should be first.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Family Council of Oregon

Taxpayers Association of Oregon
Dave Cook, MD
Mary Parr-Brophy
Debbie Merkel

Sharon Papadopolis

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

No disruptive behaviors where learners are motivated to engage because what is being presented is meaningful

How do you feel like your school district handled the coronavirus pandemic? What, if anything, would you do differently in the future?

Poorly. But I don’t feel they are to be blamed. They relied on bad information but so did we all. Keeping the kids at home for a year and a half caused damage that was unnecessary and serious.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

Lots of direct contact. Coffee hours. PTO meetings. Etc.

What are your preferred strategies for faculty, staff, and administration recruitment?

Respectable wages. Reasonable class size. High student expectations. Excellent community support and involvement.

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