Portland Public Schools Board: Ruth Adkins Won't Seek Re-Election In May Primary

Ruth Adkins, a two-term member of the Portland School Board, has announced she won't run for a third term.

Adkins' announcement follows the news Monday, as first reported by WW, that Portland State University professor Julie Esparza Brown would enter the race for Adkins' seat.

Adkins' departure is both expected and surprising.

The volunteer position is incredibly time-consuming and two terms is typically most members' limit. But her departure comes as Superintendent Carole Smith embarks on reforms that Adkins has embraced. She would not be able to see those reforms — boundary changes and curbs on student transfers—implemented. (The board is scheduled to vote tonight on the transfer issue.)

Here is Adkins' announcement on Facebook, where she also announced her support for Brown:

WWeek 2015