NSA was founded at a community meeting at King Elementary in NE Portland School on March 9, 2005.
By the end of the month, we had turned out in force at Portland School Board meetings and helped build a new, diverse coalition of community members in opposition to the Superintendent's top-down proposals. While we were not successful in preventing the short-sighted school closures, we did help slow down the District's "runaway train" forcing changes on the Jefferson Cluster.
Since then, we have continued to "watchdog" the District by attending meetings, testifying to the School Board, issuing press releases and getting our views heard as best we can.
Through meetings, phone calls, emails, testimony, rallies, and sign making parties; at each others' homes, in the schools, and on the streets; the moms, dads, teachers, students, and elders in NSA have gotten to know each other across barriers of race, income, class, and neighborhood. We have forged bonds of friendship and solidarity and resolve, all across Portland, to work together to fight injustice and inequity in our schools.
We welcome as members anyone from the community who supports our mission and goals.
To be a member of the Neighborhood Schools Alliance, you need to attend at least one NSA meeting, as well participate in other NSA activities, such as:
Attend school board meetings, school board committee meetings, neighborhood meetings, rallies, or other events and represent NSA at that event (for example, testifying, holding signs, passing out leaflets, taking notes, etc. )
As a grassroots organization, we rely on donations from our members and supporters. Expenses are shared among members as needs arise and based on ability to pay.
The Neighborhood Schools Alliance is a diverse group of parents, teachers, students, and community members from all areas of Portland, Oregon working together to support and strengthen our neighborhood schools.
Our goals include:
• Serve as a watchdog to PPS/School Board, demanding transparency in decision making
• Raise community awareness and involvement in PPS decisions regarding the Jeff cluster
• Increase public awareness about future school closures and the sale/development of closed schools
• Connect with other community organizations and individuals concerned about the fate of Portland's crown jewels, our neighborhood schools
• Gather community input on ways to support and strengthen neighborhood schools and quality education in ALL parts of Portland
Current members of the Neighborhood Schools Alliance steering committee (in alphabetical order):
• David Alberti, N
• Lakeitha Elliott, NE
• Steve Kayfes, N
• Mary Krummel, SE
• Steve Linder, SW
• Terry Olson, SE
• Julie Poust, SE
• Nancy Rawley, N
• Steve Rawley, N
• Lynn Schore, SW
• Nancy Smith, N
• Anne Trudeau, SE
• Rich Watson, N
• Ron Webb, NE
• Cindy Young, SE
Founding member Sheila Brown (NE) passed away in January 2007. She is fondly remembered by many in the community as a tireless advocate for Portland's children. We miss you, Sheila!
Founding member Ruth Adkins (SW) resigned from the committee to serve on the Portland School Board as of 7/1/07.