✨ Meet Dr. Heidi Blackwell ✨
✔ Years of service : I’ve officially served as an OCSD board member for the past two and a half years. However, my relationship with the school district goes back much further, as a parent, educator, and school volunteer.
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I truly believe OCSD is home to some of the most dedicated families, educators, and students around and I feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful, supportive community.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: The support shows up everywhere whether it’s cheering in the stands or applauding at the theater.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: One of the most meaningful moments of my board service was being part of the school board when the most recent school bond passed, knowing it will make a lasting, positive difference for our schools and community for many years to come.
Thank you, Dr. Heidi, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✔ Years of service : I’ve officially served as an OCSD board member for the past two and a half years. However, my relationship with the school district goes back much further, as a parent, educator, and school volunteer.
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I truly believe OCSD is home to some of the most dedicated families, educators, and students around and I feel lucky to be part of such a wonderful, supportive community.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: The support shows up everywhere whether it’s cheering in the stands or applauding at the theater.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: One of the most meaningful moments of my board service was being part of the school board when the most recent school bond passed, knowing it will make a lasting, positive difference for our schools and community for many years to come.
Thank you, Dr. Heidi, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✨ Meet Pamela White ✨
✔ Years of service : This my 7th year in OC and I also served 4 years in Canby (so all total I am in my 11th year.)
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I believe in public education and I want all kids to have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: I love how our community supports our student activities, fundraising, sports, volunteering and all round putting kids first.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: My memorable highlight is seeing our community support the needed facility infrastructure by passing our school bonds!
Thank you, Pamela, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✔ Years of service : This my 7th year in OC and I also served 4 years in Canby (so all total I am in my 11th year.)
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I believe in public education and I want all kids to have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: I love how our community supports our student activities, fundraising, sports, volunteering and all round putting kids first.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: My memorable highlight is seeing our community support the needed facility infrastructure by passing our school bonds!
Thank you, Pamela, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✨ Meet Ryan Pitz ✨
✔ Years of service : 6 whole months!
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I love how the Oregon City School District continues to move in the right direction. I'm proud of our many wins (school bond, test score improvements, CTE, expanded opportunities for all our students, etc) and am extremely optimistic about where OC is heading.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: I'm encouraged and inspired to see our families, educators, and students work together with a shared commitment to helping kids succeed.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: The first 6 months have been a whirlwind but breaking ground for the bond's first phase is definitely a highlight (check out social media to see pics of our new softball fields). I cannot wait for later this year for when we start inside our schools. A lot of work is ahead but it's such an exciting time for OC.
Thank you, Ryan, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✔ Years of service : 6 whole months!
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I love how the Oregon City School District continues to move in the right direction. I'm proud of our many wins (school bond, test score improvements, CTE, expanded opportunities for all our students, etc) and am extremely optimistic about where OC is heading.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: I'm encouraged and inspired to see our families, educators, and students work together with a shared commitment to helping kids succeed.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: The first 6 months have been a whirlwind but breaking ground for the bond's first phase is definitely a highlight (check out social media to see pics of our new softball fields). I cannot wait for later this year for when we start inside our schools. A lot of work is ahead but it's such an exciting time for OC.
Thank you, Ryan, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✨ Meet Alex Halpern ✨
✔ Years of service : I have been a board member for just about two and a half years.
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I am motivated by so many things, but really I think this job is about making sure that all of our kids and staff have what they need to succeed, and that by ensuring that, ensuring that our community succeeds as well.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: Maybe I’m biased, because my kids have had such great teachers, but I am so proud of the people who work in our schools and so grateful to be able to work alongside them. We have such a diverse, vibrant community here, and I think our school district is a shining example of everything good about this place we choose to live.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: It would be easy to say my biggest highlight thus far is passing our bond, which we are using to finally transform our elementary schools. The biggest highlight, though, has been getting to hear kids talk about how much they love school and their community, and getting to be a part of watching them succeed. Being a school board member is a lot of work and a lot of time, but absolutely worth it.
Thank you, Alex, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✔ Years of service : I have been a board member for just about two and a half years.
✔ What motivates you to serve? : I am motivated by so many things, but really I think this job is about making sure that all of our kids and staff have what they need to succeed, and that by ensuring that, ensuring that our community succeeds as well.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: Maybe I’m biased, because my kids have had such great teachers, but I am so proud of the people who work in our schools and so grateful to be able to work alongside them. We have such a diverse, vibrant community here, and I think our school district is a shining example of everything good about this place we choose to live.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: It would be easy to say my biggest highlight thus far is passing our bond, which we are using to finally transform our elementary schools. The biggest highlight, though, has been getting to hear kids talk about how much they love school and their community, and getting to be a part of watching them succeed. Being a school board member is a lot of work and a lot of time, but absolutely worth it.
Thank you, Alex, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✨ Meet Michele Stroh ✨
✔ Years of service : Just starting my 5th year
✔ What motivates you to serve? : My motivation is to see the successes of our students as they enter into each stage of their education. I love seeing the confidence, the growth, and the opportunities for them to explore.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: One thing I love about our district is the amazing , dedicated , and hard working educators that show up each day to share their love for education with our students.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: My highlight is the district, staff and community all embracing our Narcan policy, training on substance use and signs of an overdose with the education of fentanyl and other drugs. We chose to be proactive and not wait until tragedy happened to react.
I will always be so thankful to be able to share Keaton’s story to educate our youth and give them the information to deter them from experimenting with illicit substances.
Thank you, Michele, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✔ Years of service : Just starting my 5th year
✔ What motivates you to serve? : My motivation is to see the successes of our students as they enter into each stage of their education. I love seeing the confidence, the growth, and the opportunities for them to explore.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: One thing I love about our district is the amazing , dedicated , and hard working educators that show up each day to share their love for education with our students.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: My highlight is the district, staff and community all embracing our Narcan policy, training on substance use and signs of an overdose with the education of fentanyl and other drugs. We chose to be proactive and not wait until tragedy happened to react.
I will always be so thankful to be able to share Keaton’s story to educate our youth and give them the information to deter them from experimenting with illicit substances.
Thank you, Michele, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✨ Meet Katie Wilson ✨
✔ Years of service : This is my third year.
✔ What motivates you to serve? : Our students! As a parent, I am committed to supporting a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment for our kids.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: The people! I enjoy getting to meet and work with so many amazing people- including students, staff, parents, and community members.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: Helping to support bringing our community together to pass our bond and getting to spend time in our schools.
Thank you, Katie, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
✔ Years of service : This is my third year.
✔ What motivates you to serve? : Our students! As a parent, I am committed to supporting a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment for our kids.
✔ One thing you love about our students or community: The people! I enjoy getting to meet and work with so many amazing people- including students, staff, parents, and community members.
✔A memorable highlight during your time as a board member: Helping to support bringing our community together to pass our bond and getting to spend time in our schools.
Thank you, Katie, for your time and dedication to our students and community. 💙
January is School Board Appreciation Month!
Our school board members are volunteers who give their time to help guide our district—listening, learning, and making decisions with students at the center. This month, we’re saying thank you for the commitment, care, and countless hours behind the scenes.
Learn more about our school board members.
🎉 BREAKING: Oregon City School District makes history as the FIRST in Clackamas County approved for high school pre-apprenticeship programs!
We're proud to pilot the Clackamas Youth Trades Initiative, partnering with Area 1 Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 290 to create a direct pipeline from classroom to career.
✅ Open to ALL OCSD high school students
✅ Preferred entry into apprenticeship applications
✅ OSHA 10 certification opportunity
✅ Professional portfolio development
✅ High-wage careers with excellent benefits
All of our high school students can take Metals classes at CAIS, gain real-world skills, and graduate ready for in-demand careers in the skilled trades.
Interested? Read more about the pilot program and our BOLI pre-approval here: https://www.ocsd62.org/article/2490032
#OCSDLeads #SkilledTrades #CareerPathways #StudentSuccess #WorkforceDevelopment #FutureReady #CTE
🚧 2025 Bond Project Updates! Want to see how your investment is making a difference? Get the latest progress reports on our 2025 bond projects on our bond website: www.ocschoolbond.org. Stay up-to-date on how we're building better schools for our students and our community.
