Forest Grove board outlines three-part advocacy plan focused on legislators, unions and retreat use

Christy Katke, chair of the Forest Grove School District Board of Directors, presented a three-part advocacy framework at the board’s Feb. 19, 2026, noon webinar meeting that she said is intended to sharpen the district’s outreach to lawmakers and regional partners.

"Our goal with that today is just to share this idea and get feedback and thoughts and adjustments that the board might like to consider," Katke said, introducing proposals to (1) establish regular opportunities to hear from and engage state legislators, (2) strengthen collaboration with union leadership, and (3) rethink how the board uses its summer retreat.

The board discussed timing and logistics for each element. Director Pete Truax warned that legislators are likely to be occupied in the coming weeks with campaigning and short-session duties, suggesting more practical engagement could occur after the May primary or later in 2026. "I also suspect that given the current political situation that once the session is over, they are going to both... be working very, very hard on the primary election," Truax said.

Board members generally supported inviting representatives to regularly attend the board’s established Thursday noon meetings or special Zoom sessions to recap short-session outcomes and hear district priorities. Several directors urged that these conversations be concrete and tied to student-level examples; Director Brisa Franco said storytelling about program impacts — for example, how literacy or elective programs affect students — can make advocacy more persuasive.

The board also discussed working with union leaders to align messages where possible while acknowledging areas of disagreement, such as class-size bargaining. Kate Grandusky recommended preparing clear, printed fiscal-impact materials showing how changes in class-size mandates would affect district finances and staffing so those trade-offs are understandable to members and legislators.

On the summer retreat, directors debated shifting away from a purely team-building format toward a work-oriented session that could produce templates — including an "emergency template" for quick fiscal-impact analyses — to speed the district’s responses when bills are filed. Several members suggested more frequent chair-to-chair sessions across Washington County and greater coordination with the Northwest Regional ESD to educate boards about regional resources and funding.

Katke said she, Director Alma Lozano and district leadership will work with county chairs and regional partners to refine the proposals and bring a more detailed plan to the board for future deliberation. The board approved the meeting agenda at the start of the session and adjourned at 12:58 p.m.