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To: School District and ESD Superintendents, Private School Leaders, Education Partners
From: Colt Gill, ODE Director & Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction
Date: January 6, 2023
RE: Education Announcement from Governor-Elect Kotek
Today Governor-Elect Tina Kotek shared that I plan to retire later this year after the Legislative Session. I want to offer some additional information and I will also follow-up at our All Staff Meeting next week.
Even though our state will continue to face challenges, I truly believe this is a good time for children in Oregon. Governor-Elect Kotek is focusing on three priorities: Housing, behavioral health, and education. This focus and her long track record of accomplishment bodes well for our kids. Although I very much look forward to retirement after 34 years in education in Oregon, I know I will miss this work, I will miss working with all of you in our districts and communities, and I will miss working under the Governor-Elect’s leadership. This work has been a privileged opportunity, an opportunity of a lifetime, and one that I strived to assign deep responsibility to and treat as such.
Although my time in this capacity of service to our educators, students, families, and communities is coming to an end, I will work hard over the next several months to support Governor-Elect Kotek and her goals for Oregon’s children. Our efforts over the last several years are closely aligned with the Governor-Elect’s goals. I will be working with legislators to focus on these priorities. And, I’ll be supporting the incoming leadership throughout the transition. My efforts will be on ensuring a planful, informed and smooth transition that allows the team at ODE to continue building on our partnership with schools and community.
The Governor-Elect’s press release also named her education staff. I have had the opportunity to work with both members of the Governor-Elect’s education team, Pooja Bhatt and Melissa Goth, over the years. They will be incredible partners in education equity and excellence. They carry expertise in working with diverse communities and lifting their voice. They have expertise across early learning and K-12 in increasing academic rigor, attending to social-emotional development, addressing school safety, developing quality instructional leadership, and more. With Pooja and Melissa, Oregon has strong and knowledgeable partners in the Governor’s Office.
A bit of reflection...
We have had our share of incredible accomplishments and challenging times over the last 5+ years that I have been with you. We shared a unique time in history together, leading communities through some state and national tragedies, including a global pandemic, historic wildfires, the beginning of a reckoning on racial inequities, and deep political divide. We also implemented Oregon’s largest public education investment in more than three decades. We have introduced new models of accountability that drive change, rather than shame communities. And, we have been steadfast advocates for education equity, even as dominant culture pushes against our leadership that welcomes, honors and serves all.
I’m incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. The Governor, education leaders, legislators, the nine tribal nations, COSA, OSBA, OEA, OSEA, OASBO, OAESD, Stand for Children, FBO, and so many community-based organizations found incredible ways to partner over the last few years - and that partnership created meaningful investments and policy shifts, including:
I have more reflection to share, but this is not the time. In this time I will focus on our work ahead and on supporting a smooth and planful transition. For now, let’s continue to team and do what we can to support our students, educators, and families.
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