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Greg Belisle, a member of the Portland Public Schools Board since 2011, has announced in an email that he will not seek a second term in May.
The news isn't entirely surprising. Belisle, who walked onto the board four years ago with zero competition, faced a stiff challenge this year from Mike Rosen, a parent activist from Southeast Portland's Zone 7 with sharp questions for PPS's current leadership.
Belisle's announcement, first reported in The Skanner, says he wants to spend more time with his family. But his day job also complicates his service on the board. Belisle is a senior program specialist with Multnomah County's SUN Community Schools program. PPS contracts with the county for SUN services, which presents at least the appearance of a conflict for Belisle, who must approve PPS's spending.
Last year, as PPS teachers neared their first-ever strike, someone sympathetic with the Portland Association of Teachers union played a prank on PPS school board members, including Belisle. The person paid a Hillsboro company to plant pink plastic flamingos in his yard and two other board members' yards with messages, including "Settle a fair flocking contract" and "Separate yourself from the flock: Do what is right. Settle a fair contract," according to The Oregonian.
Belisle threw the birds away in a dumpster, but he wouldn't admit it to an Oregonian reporter who pressed him on the matter. The company, which typically picks up the birds after a few days, said it was out $600. âIâm completely baffled that an adult, let alone someone in the public eye, would do this,â a company rep told The Oregonian.
Candidates who wish to run in Zone 7 must live in Southeast Portland, but every voter in PPS can vote in the election regardless of where they live.
Belisle did not respond to a request from WW for his announcement.
WWeek 2015