Governor Tina Kotek has made an exciting move in her education team, appointing Johnna Timmes as the new Education Initiatives Director. This position is crucial, especially with Kotek preparing to unveil her highly anticipated state budget for the upcoming biennium, which is expected to undergo close scrutiny. Timmes steps into the role previously held by Pooja Bhatt, who resigned last month, and will now play an integral part in shaping the state’s education policy moving forward.
What’s particularly noteworthy is that Timmes, much like her predecessor Bhatt, does not come from the traditional educational union leadership background, which is quite a shift from the norm in Oregon politics. In fact, this move sets Kotek’s administration apart from several past Oregon governors, who often selected individuals with union ties to take on this role. Instead, Timmes brings a wealth of experience in early learning and literacy advocacy, and her background suggests she’s prepared to tackle some of Oregon’s most pressing education challenges.
Timmes is not new to the education scene in Oregon. Before taking on this high-profile position, she served as the Executive Director of Early Learning at the Northwest Regional Education Service District. She also worked at the Oregon Department of Education, where she made significant contributions, including helping implement Measure 98. This initiative focused on expanding career-technical education throughout the state, a move that resonated with many, especially in areas where practical job skills are as crucial as academic success.
Her most recent role as the Director of Early Literacy Policy and Partnerships at Stand for Children has made a tangible impact in Oregon’s educational landscape. Timmes played a pivotal role in securing a key victory for Kotek’s administration: a groundbreaking $90 million allocation in the 2023-2025 state budget. This funding is designated to help revamp how the youngest learners in the state are taught to read, with a clear emphasis on phonics and the foundational skills needed to read and understand words.
With this new leadership change, literacy advocates are already gearing up to push for even more funding to continue building on these early education successes. There’s no doubt that Timmes will be an important ally in this effort. This focus on early literacy couldn’t come at a more critical time. The latest state test scores revealed a sobering statistic—only about 40% of Oregon’s third graders were found to be “proficient” readers. This means that the majority of students are not on track to graduate high school with the skills they need to succeed in higher education or in the workforce. This statistic underscores the urgency of Timmes’ role and highlights the importance of continued investment in early literacy programs.
The backdrop of these changes in education policy comes amidst growing tension in the state’s educational system. Oregon has recently seen several strikes, including the highly publicized Portland teachers’ strike and the ongoing strike in Albany. These events have made it clear that education will take center stage in the upcoming legislative session, likely drawing even more attention than it did in 2023. Kotek has proposed significant changes to how the state’s school funding formula is calculated, which could result in an additional $500 million in funding for schools. However, despite this proposed increase, school districts across Oregon are voicing concerns that their needs go beyond what’s currently being offered, with many arguing that the state has yet to address crucial financial obligations, such as paying for public employee pensions from agreements made decades ago.
In fact, public school funding consumes about a third of the state’s budget, which has sparked debates on how funds should be allocated more efficiently. Districts have raised concerns about the funding gap, particularly when it comes to handling the costs of special education. The Oregon Education Association (OEA) has also made it clear that they will push again for class size to be a mandatory topic of bargaining for all schools, which would place additional pressure on lawmakers and school districts to address this issue.
Kotek’s administration has already committed to making some significant changes that could reshape Oregon’s educational landscape. One of the governor’s stated goals is to provide more predictable funding for summer learning programs. This would help ensure that students, particularly those from underserved communities, have access to learning opportunities throughout the year, not just during the school term. Kotek also plans to introduce greater accountability regarding how school districts use state funds, which is an area that may face resistance from teacher union leaders and school administrators. Oregon has a long tradition of local decision-making when it comes to education, and some worry that increased state oversight could undermine this autonomy.
Despite potential pushback, Timmes will likely play a key role in advancing these priorities. She has a history of pushing for policies that prioritize student outcomes and equity, and she has already demonstrated a strong understanding of the challenges facing schools, particularly when it comes to early literacy. Her background also gives her a unique perspective on how to balance the needs of educators and students while navigating the complex world of state education policy.
In her new role, Timmes will be working closely with Kotek and other stakeholders to ensure that the state’s education policies are effective, equitable, and well-funded. At a salary of $183,317 per year, Timmes will be taking on a leadership role that demands both vision and pragmatism as Oregon continues to navigate its educational challenges.
This is a pivotal moment for Oregon’s education system, and Timmes’ appointment signals that the governor is committed to making bold moves to address the state’s education needs. With literacy being a major priority and funding issues looming large, it’s clear that the upcoming legislative session will be one of intense discussion and decision-making. Timmes, with her wealth of experience and dedication to improving education in Oregon, will be at the forefront of these efforts, and it will be fascinating to see the impact of her leadership in the months and years to come.
For anyone interested in the future of Oregon education, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The choices made now will shape the state’s educational trajectory for generations, and Johnna Timmes will undoubtedly be one of the key figures guiding that journey. Stay tuned for what’s to come, because the next chapter of Oregon education promises to be one of change, challenge, and potential growth.
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