Community advocate Deacon English used public comment at the Parkrose School Board meeting on Oct. 27 to press the district for an aggressive levy strategy and immediate action on food access after recent reports that SNAP benefits and several community food resources could be disrupted.

The most newsworthy points: English called for the board to analyze the reasons the district’s levy failed last November, asked that the board and staff prepare a ‘‘bulletproof’’ May 2026 levy and said a local political action committee (East County Rising) has offered resources, experience and field organizers. Separately, English raised alarm about reported SNAP interruptions and the loss of scheduled school-day food supports in November.

District response and immediate actions: In reply, district staff described a recent, unexpected suspension of a weekly food pantry at Shaver (the nonprofit operating it could no longer provide services). Staff said consolidated distribution will occur at Parkrose Middle School on Thursday afternoons and that several community partners remain active, including Oregon Food Bank and Grocery Outlet (which provides weekly donations to the high-school pantry). The district said it will publish a comprehensive list of six food-support sites and asked community members to prioritize donations to large regional distributors that can move supply quickly.

Why it matters: The combination of potential SNAP delays (reported in media and noted by the speaker) and the loss of local pantry capacity could reduce school-provided meals and family food access in November, when students also face reduced school meal availability during certain breaks. The district emphasized the uncertain timeline for federal-level actions and said it is coordinating with regional partners and local nonprofits to respond.

What the district will do next: Staff will distribute a consolidated list of food resources to families and counselors this week, coordinate with nonprofit partners (including Oregon Food Bank, Saint Vincent de Paul and local church food banks), explore additional donations and storage options, and continue communications about in-district pantry locations and schedules. The board and superintendent said they will continue conversations about levy timing and whether to pursue May 2026 or a later election, noting limited district funds to underwrite a broad informational campaign.

Quote: "We need money and we need it fast," Deacon English said. "Our focus should be on 'Trump-proofing' our district'" (public comment). District staff cautioned that further action on levies requires a board decision and, for a May 2026 run, extra outside funding to support an informational campaign.

Ending: The board asked staff to publish resource lists and pledged continued engagement on levy strategy; no formal decision on a new levy was made at the meeting.