Occupation: Registered Nurse
Occupational Background: Computer Operator, Stay-at-home Mom, Certified Nursing Assistant, Registered Nurse
Educational Background: Washington High School, Tacoma, WA; PCC; University of Portland School of Nursing Bachelor
Government Experience: Forest Grove City Council 2y of a 4y term
Prior School Board Experience: None
Accomplishments: KP Unit Based Team Co-Lead 10/2019-2021; Kaiser Permanente Extraordinary Nursing Care Award 01/2020
Volunteer Opportunities: Salem Free Clinic 01/2019-2021; Hear the Cry-MamaBaby Haiti Midwife Clinic 03/2019. I am currently serving on the Forest Grove City Council, having completed two years of my four year term.
Personal Information: Married to Jesse Martinez. We have a blended family of five adult children and 11 grandchildren. Forest Grove has been my home for over 30 years. Many changes have come to our small community, especially in our schools. It’s time to wake up and let our voices be heard!
Individual Liberty: The First Amendment of our constitution gives US citizens the right to have their voices heard without retribution. I will listen to my fellow school board members and constituency. Whether paid or volunteer, school board/school officials are accountable to those they represent.
Transparency/Accountability: FG SD15 2022 $121 million bond passed to rebuild Cornelius Elementary, address security and safety, early childhood education, repairs and updates, hands-on learning and student opportunities. General bullet points were the only information offered, no details. There is a Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee meeting quarterly to oversee use of bond funds. Do we know if the upgrades at schools are or will be effective? https://www.fgsdk12.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=3592758&type=d&pREC_ID=2405800
Fiscal responsibility: Account for every expense and every penny. Taxpayer money should benefit the student/public. Budgets should decrease if the available funds decrease. All costs and expenses should be made public.
Parents-Students-Teachers: Support communication between parents, students and teachers. Parents should be aware of their student’s education needs. I believe in honesty, integrity and commitment to serving the parents, students and teachers of Forest Grove. Parents should have access and full knowledge about the curriculum and environment of the school. Students and teachers should feel safe to be who they are without pressure to conform to popular ideologies.
Quality Education: Oregon spend more dollars for education than approximately 50% of the US but Oregon’s education is near the bottom in the nation and Forest Grove near the bottom of Oregon schools. https://www.oregonlive.com/education/2025/02/oregons-near-worst-in-nation-education-outcomes-prompt-a-reckoning-on-school-spending.html https://oregonbusinessindustry.com/per-student-spending-oregon-vs-education-standouts/ Forest Grove has a high absentee rate. We need to delve deeper into the problems in our schools to find solutions.
