Figdor declines nomination to lead Portland school board another year
Dec. 5—Sarah Lentz is expected to lead Portland Board of Education in the coming year after Chairwoman Emily Figdor said Monday she is declining a nomination to remain in the role.
The board is scheduled to officially vote for new leadership Monday evening at its inauguration ceremony.
The board informally voted during a Nov. 15 caucus to support Figdor, who represents District 2 and served as chair for the last two years. Members also chose at-large member Sarah Lentz to serve as vice chair.
Both Figdor and Lentz said they would accept the nominations, but Figdor cited "mixed feelings" because she had expected current vice chair Adam Burk would become chair. He lost his reelection bid on Nov. 8 and Figdor said she would accept the nomination to help the board move forward.
"I told my colleagues I'd be willing to do it, but the more the reality sunk in, the more I realized that it's just too demanding to sustain for a third year on top of my full-time job and parenting my two girls," Figdor said in a written statement.
Figdor said she will support the nomination of Lentz as chair and District 1 board member Abusana "Micky" Bondo for vice chair.
"From her first days on the school board, Sarah rolled up her sleeves and dove right into the work," Figdor said. "Sarah and Micky will be a great leadership team for the district, and I'm so excited and optimistic for them to take on these new roles."
This story will be updated.
