Now that ballots are arriving in mailboxes around our community, I just wanted to take a moment to encourage anyone with questions to contact me about my candidacy. I know that as you look over your options to vote you often feel that you don't know who might best represent you as taxpayers and parents.
I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have about me.
Please send an e-mail my way, or call at 503-334-3231.
I look forward to earning your vote.
Greg Clark
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Common Sense in Educational Issues
I'd like to share an instance of my frustration with the Hillsboro School District that I experienced in the last 10 years of residing and having children attend the district schools.
When my daughter was getting ready to enter the 7th grade, she showed a remarkable aptitude for the visual arts. Being that we've always been committed to pursuing what we felt was the best education available to each of our children, we started looking for art programs in the public school system that our daughter could attend.
We looked at each of the Hillsboro Schools and found varying degrees of art classes offered. We felt that she needed a more focused education centered around visual arts. We found ACMA, the Arts and Communications Magnet Academy in Beaverton, Oregon. This is a public school that focuses all instruction around an art/communication model. A perfect fit in our minds.
Our daughter was excited by the prospect of attending ACMA and had to write an essay and go through and interview process to be accepted to the school. She did a great essay and her interview went well enough that she was offered a position at the school.
At this point we had to file an inter-district transfer, as we are in the Hillsboro School District and ACMA is in the Beaverton School District. We assumed this was a formality, as she had already been through her interview process and accepted into ACMA.
We were wrong. A few weeks before school started, we received a letter denying our transfer from the Hillsboro School District.
As I investigated our next steps to get an approval, I had to wind my way through numerous individuals until I reached a high level administrator. I was told "We deny these as a matter of course." I asked what school in the Hillsboro School District has an art centric education program? The answer of course was none. I asked what I could do next, did I need to go to the school board to challenge their decision? "You can take it to the school board, but they always side with us."
I was taken aback by the resistance to my transfer request. Isn't it our school systems duty to provide the most appropriate education for each child? Shouldn't they allow the parents to choose from all available options, even if it means approving a transfer because the district they are in doesn't offer the appropriate educational opportunity?
I politely told the administrator that I would see them at the next school board meeting. If my only recourse was to challenge this decision with the board, I had no hesitation in doing so.
A week after this conversation, we receive a new letter from the Hillsboro School District approving the transfer request.
I never made it to the school board.
Can anyone tell me the common sense principle behind the initial denial of this request? In what way was the Hillsboro School District contributing to the best education of my child by denying the request? Would her absence from this district somehow hurt her educational opportunities?
My daughter spent 7th and 8th grade at ACMA and was able to broaden her talent in the visual arts. It was a great fit for her.
I believe parents should have the right to choose the appropriate educational placement for their children. This experience was one of many that have lead me to run for the Hillsboro School Board. I will continue to document more of my experiences as the election nears. I welcome your questions and comments.
Greg Clark
Candidate, Hillsboro School Board, Position 3
When my daughter was getting ready to enter the 7th grade, she showed a remarkable aptitude for the visual arts. Being that we've always been committed to pursuing what we felt was the best education available to each of our children, we started looking for art programs in the public school system that our daughter could attend.
We looked at each of the Hillsboro Schools and found varying degrees of art classes offered. We felt that she needed a more focused education centered around visual arts. We found ACMA, the Arts and Communications Magnet Academy in Beaverton, Oregon. This is a public school that focuses all instruction around an art/communication model. A perfect fit in our minds.
Our daughter was excited by the prospect of attending ACMA and had to write an essay and go through and interview process to be accepted to the school. She did a great essay and her interview went well enough that she was offered a position at the school.
At this point we had to file an inter-district transfer, as we are in the Hillsboro School District and ACMA is in the Beaverton School District. We assumed this was a formality, as she had already been through her interview process and accepted into ACMA.
We were wrong. A few weeks before school started, we received a letter denying our transfer from the Hillsboro School District.
As I investigated our next steps to get an approval, I had to wind my way through numerous individuals until I reached a high level administrator. I was told "We deny these as a matter of course." I asked what school in the Hillsboro School District has an art centric education program? The answer of course was none. I asked what I could do next, did I need to go to the school board to challenge their decision? "You can take it to the school board, but they always side with us."
I was taken aback by the resistance to my transfer request. Isn't it our school systems duty to provide the most appropriate education for each child? Shouldn't they allow the parents to choose from all available options, even if it means approving a transfer because the district they are in doesn't offer the appropriate educational opportunity?
I politely told the administrator that I would see them at the next school board meeting. If my only recourse was to challenge this decision with the board, I had no hesitation in doing so.
A week after this conversation, we receive a new letter from the Hillsboro School District approving the transfer request.
I never made it to the school board.
Can anyone tell me the common sense principle behind the initial denial of this request? In what way was the Hillsboro School District contributing to the best education of my child by denying the request? Would her absence from this district somehow hurt her educational opportunities?
My daughter spent 7th and 8th grade at ACMA and was able to broaden her talent in the visual arts. It was a great fit for her.
I believe parents should have the right to choose the appropriate educational placement for their children. This experience was one of many that have lead me to run for the Hillsboro School Board. I will continue to document more of my experiences as the election nears. I welcome your questions and comments.
Greg Clark
Candidate, Hillsboro School Board, Position 3
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Candidate Statement
As the parent of three children currently in the Hillsboro School District, I have often found myself frustrated by the difficulty of meeting the unique educational needs of each child.
We live in a diverse and rapidly changing world and we need the flexibility as parents to direct the educational needs of our children.
As a member of the school board I will be an advocate for parents, making sure school administrators share our goal of individualized instruction that fits the needs of each child and I will require educational excellence in the services the district provides.
CLARKFORKIDS.ORG
" As one who has spent over 25 years as a consultant in the field of education, dealing with boards, administrations, teachers, parents, and the general public, I give Greg Clark my heartiest endorsement!
In the years I have known Mr. Clark, we have had numerous discussions regarding educational issues. I have found him to be well informed and in command of the wide knowledge base that I would expect of a School Board member.
As well, Mr. Clark is sensitive to and aware of the needs of the special population that the Hillsboro District serves. He would be able to add even broader perspective to Board deliberations because of his experience as the parent of a child with special needs.
In summary, Mr. Clark is thoughtful, deliberative, informed, willing to listen, and able to "cut through" to the heart of the matter -- the very qualities that I would demand in any candidate for this position. Mr. Clark excels in these areas."
--Polly A Yarnall, M. Ed.
"I have been a participant in the school system of Hillsboro and Greg Clark has been an associate of mine for 2 years. He has the motivation and dedication to improve the lives of children."
--Dr. Shane Espinoza, DC
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