Parkrose Board appoints Mariah Galvez to Seat 5 and swears in student representatives

The Parkrose School District Board of Directors voted on Sept. 9 to appoint Mariah Galvez to the board’s vacant Seat 5, a position with a term ending June 30, 2025. The motion to appoint was made and seconded in open session and carried by voice vote.

During the public work session the board followed its stated interview process, asking each applicant five preset questions. In her interview, Galvez said the district’s core priorities should include student safety — both emotional and physical — and ensuring students see leaders who reflect the district’s diversity. “I think first off, making sure everyone is safe. That’s super important,” Galvez said when asked what she would fight to preserve.

Board members praised both applicants’ attention to equity and student representation. The board noted its practice of using an equity lens for policies and emphasized the role of student representatives in providing lived experience to inform decisions.

After the appointment the board administered the oath of office. The oath language was read aloud and repeated by Galvez: “I, Mariah Galaviz, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, the constitution and the laws of the state of Oregon, and the policies of Parkrose School District,” and that she would “faithfully and impartially discharge the responsibilities of office to the best of my ability.” The board also swore in student representatives for the year.

The board announced that the newly appointed director will receive onboarding information and that the next regular business meeting is scheduled for Sept. 23, 2024. The board encouraged applicants — including the appointee — to consider running in the upcoming May 2025 election for full terms.