City Council members' primary role when it comes to our local public schools is spelled out in our city's Charter and is focused on the annual budget process. The annual budget process, reflecting both the PPS budget and the municipal budget, is shared when delivered to Portland taxpayers in the form of the property tax bill. As a School Board Member from 2007-2013 and as Mayor from 2019-2023, I have experienced the budget process as both separate and collaborative. I think all 18 elected officials in Portland ought to work together and with professional staff and the community to deliver budgets that reflect needs and priorities. The City Council approves a school budget to pass along to voters for their consideration. But there is no line-item authority over the school budget, and while delivered together in the form of a tax bill, the budgets are developed and managed separately.
Housing: We need more affordable and middle housing, and the city plays a key role in fostering new development.
Affordability: Housing costs for renters and owners rise yearly with the property tax levy.
Since 2022, residents have absorbed 4.8, 5.9, 5.0, 7.4, and 4.9% increases.
Everyday costs are squeezing wallets, and I believe the city's budget must be in check and reflect investments people value most.
Transportation: We need to make generational investments to improve safe walking, running, and biking.
I offer up my website for a more detailed list of priorities and information about my campaign.
I hope (and believe) that my record as an elected official in Portland has shown that I work to be steady, collaborative, and focused on problem solving. We have real work to do, and I think it's the responsibility of elected officials to serve the community objectively, as calmly as possible, with open minds, willingness to learn, and with the best interest of the community front and center. I don't run for office to advance any personal agenda. I believe in raising my hand for service, whether that's serving on a PTO, coaching youth sports, serving on a fundraising committee for the new outdoor pool, or serving on a working group for our new waterfront park (First Light). I am committed to working with people, and I know that we can all be learning new things all the time that will inform the work. I have been a part of the Portland community for 32 years. My husband and I have raised our three kids here. I think school employees can trust me to objectively navigate service on the City Council because I have served, I have a record, and a reputation that's important to me. I will always do my best to work with integrity for the strength of our schools and our city.
I think I covered some of the response to this question in #1, but I will add more.
I have seen both: I have seen deep dives by the Council into the proposed school budget. And I have seen rubber stamps.
I have also been on both sides of the work as an elected official. Remember the 2007-2009 time frame with very tight budgets, state curtailment of funds to the PPS budget midyear, renegotiated contracts, to name just a few of the stresses on the PPS budget during that time?
That was a time period when there was pretty deep engagement between the Council and School Board as well as PPS and CoP staff. It was important to be collaborative and in consistent communication at that time; there was a lot to navigate, and it was helpful to keep one another in the loop.
I think it's important for us to always be willing to work together.
I also think we need to give space for people to do their jobs.
Ultimately, both PPS and the City of Portland ought to be doing their best to deliver the best services possible: to students, families, and also to residents (renters, owners, businesses).
I think we do best when we work respectfully and mindfully to calibrate the depth of engagement between PPS and CoP in service to the people we serve.
Life experience. Well, I'm 56, so I have some of that. :-) I have learned (and continue to learn) patience and gratitude. Life itself is a great teacher, and we learn so much based on our circumstances and experiences. I've had so much good fortune. And I've also had challenges. I was one of five kids growing up. I attended both public and private schools. I moved before 7th grade from Ohio to Massachusetts. I attended college in upstate New York, and then went to NYC after college for my first job. Colin and I moved to Portland in 1994.
I am a parent of three kids who all attended PPS (Nathan Clifford, King, Portland High School).
I am now a grandmother of a baby being raised in Portland by two Portland Public Schools grads (my daughter is a Bulldog, and son-in-law is a Ram).
I believe my life experience will help me to approach the work of a City Councilor because I have always worked with other people; I have always been part of communities, and I value different perspectives and ideas.
I think that my past work and public service experience will help set me up for success in this role. I served on the School Board (2007-2013, during which time I served as Board Chair for 2 years and also Finance Chair for 2 years), and also Mayor (2019-2023).
I worked as the first Executive Director of the Foundation for Portland Public Schools (2015-2019) and prior to that position was a consultant to PPS to develop the governance model for the foundation.
I won't go on with my resume, but it's available on LinkedIn, and I'm always happy to talk with PEA members.
I don't want to repeat elements from the above answers, so I will say this: I do think I am uniquely qualified for this role because I have very relevant experiences that I believe will allow me to hit the ground running, work with others, and lead on issues.
I think differentiating factors include: (I have a Master's in Public Policy & Management from USM's Muskie School) and work experiences (aforementioned) that will inform how I show up to to the role of City Councilor.
I have lived in Portland for more than three decades. I've had kids who have gone all the way through Portland Public Schools. I have had a lot of experiences that inform what I know, how I work, and how I learn — which I continue to do every day!
I'm running because I believe in raising my hand for public service. I am running because I love the place we live and because I have broad, relevant experience that I believe will be useful to our city as we seek to find durable and meaningful solutions to our current and forthcoming challenges.
My campaign website is: https://katesnyderforportland.com/