Oregon School Boards Association

Oregon School Boards Association
Basic facts
Location:	Salem, Oregon
Type:	Nonprofit
Top official:	Emielle Nischik, Executive Director
Year founded:	1946
Website:	Official website

The Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) is a nonprofit organization representing public school boards in Oregon. The organization "empowers all public-school boards with the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources to govern, lead, and advocate for improving student success and positive outcomes for every learner."

Background

The OSBA was founded in 1946. Its members elect a board that governs the organization. As of September 2025, the organization's mission was to empower "all public-school boards with the knowledge, skills, tools, and resources to govern, lead, and advocate for improving student success and positive outcomes for every learner," in support of the vision that "all Oregon public school boards provide educational excellence and innovation, leading to student success and equitable outcomes."

Leadership

As of September 2025, the following individuals held positions of leadership at the Oregon School Boards Association:

• Emielle Nischik, executive director
• Haley Percell, chief legal officer and interim deputy executive director
• Stacy A. Michaelson, director of government relations and communications
• Jaime Conder, director of finance and member services
• Spencer Lewis, director of policy services
• Kristen Miles, director of board development
• Michael Miller, interim director of legal services

As of September 2025, the following individuals sat on the Oregon School Boards Association's board of directors:

• Chris Cronin, president
• Dawn Watson, vice president
• Chrissy Reitz, secretary-treasurer
• Sami Al-Abdrabbuh, past president
• Jeffrey Crapper, chairman
• Krista Parent, executive director
• Jennifer Scurlock, chairwoman
• Andrew Speer
• Randy Shaw
• Nichole Schott
• Laurie Danzuka
• Steve Lowell
• Linda Hamilton
• Glenn Wachter
• Jackie Crook
• Luhui Whitebear
• Karina Guzmán Ortiz
• Alonso Oliveros
• Kraig Albright
• Greg Kintz
• Kristy Kottkey
• Tristan Irvin
• Katrina Doughty
• Kris Howatt
• José Gamero-Georgeson
• Nancy Thomas
• David Jaimes

Work and activities

Lobbying activities

As of September 2025, the OSBA had the following policy goals:

“

Promote Adequate, Predictable, and Stable Funding The State School Fund rises and falls every two years because Oregon’s revenue-raising and funding systems have substantial variance. Stable and adequate funding is crucial to providing a quality education to all students across the education continuum. To ensure stable and adequate funding, OSBA will actively promote legislation that accurately calculates current service level funding for school districts. Protect the 2019 Student Success Act The Student Success Act provides local school districts and education service districts unprecedented opportunities to target new funding toward educational programs. OSBA will actively promote legislation to protect the funding allocated for the Student Success Act in order to deliver equitable outcomes for all K-12 students. Close the Opportunity Gap In every community a disparity in academic achievement exists between student groups. OSBA will support legislation aimed at closing achievement and opportunity gaps that exist across Oregon’s public schools. Contain Cost Drivers The costs associated with health care and retirement benefits are eating into funding available for instructional opportunities for students. OSBA will promote legislation that provides relief for districts related to benefit costs controlled by the State. Support Local Governance and Oppose Mandates Locally elected officials, local education professionals, and the local community are in the best position to respond to the needs of all students. New mandates must have necessary funding and be researched-based with results indicating increased achievement for all students. Support Capital Improvements Students need schools that are safe, comfortable, and appropriate for a modern and/or digital learning environment. OSBA will actively promote the allocation of state-level resources to help pay for construction and capital improvement. OSBA will promote legislation aimed at diversifying the funding methods available to school districts. Ensure Access to Post-Secondary Credits All students should have access to post-secondary credit opportunities. OSBA will advocate for a seamless transfer of credits throughout Oregon’s higher education system. Address Education Workforce Shortages OSBA will promote efforts both state and at the local level to preserve and improve initiatives that combat the workforce shortage. OSBA will advocate for programs that will help districts recruit and retain a diverse and well-prepared workforce. Finance OSBA supports the allocation of state resources to ensure school districts and education service districts have the necessary resources to equitably and fully support all students’ instructional, behavioral, and programmatic needs. OSBA supports appropriate financial tax policy to make Oregon schools competitive, nationally, and globally, including the preservation of other funding options for local district consideration. Student Programs OSBA supports high-quality programs that equitably serve all students in obtaining a comprehensive and well-rounded education. OSBA supports new and continued partnerships with education stakeholders to increase educational and career opportunities for students. Student Safety and Wellness OSBA supports safe and secure school environments, the physical health and overall well-being of all students, and services that promote social, emotional, and behavioral health. Personnel OSBA supports attracting and retaining effective employees to create a healthy, diverse, culturally responsible, safe, and sustainable workforce. OSBA supports local management, local contract negotiations, and continued conversations regarding professional development, licensure, and career advancement for personnel. Governance and Operations OSBA believes locally elected school district, ESD, and community college boards are best equipped to make decisions in the best interest of students and communities. OSBA supports cross-system collaboration, alignment, and accountability among education stakeholders and partners. Federal Education Issues OSBA will advocate for the federal government to prioritize, streamline, and fully fund programs that support students.

”

Notable endorsements

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Finances

The following is a breakdown of the Oregon School Boards Association's revenues and expenses from 2016-2017 to 2023-2024. The information comes from the Oregon School Boards Association.

Oregon School Boards Association financial data 2016-2024

Year	Revenue	Expenses
2016-2017	$8.6 million	$7.1 million
2017-2018	$6.9 million	$7.4 million
2018-2019	$11.4 million	$9.7 million
2019-2020	$5.0 million	$9.0 million
2020-2021	$14.7 million	$8.2 million
2021-2022	$3.1 million	$8.1 million
2022-2023	$6.3 million	$9.0 million
2023-2024	$11.6 million	$10.0 million

See also

• What is an influencer?

External links

• Oregon School Boards Association official website
• Oregon School Boards Association on Facebook
• Oregon School Boards Association on X

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