Election day for the Fern Ridge school board will take place Tuesday, with two positions open on the five-member board. Incumbent Jackie Turle faces a challenge from Kathleen Pizzola for Position 1, and incumbent Lorie Daniels faces a challenge from Lisa McCann for Position 5.
Turle is a longtime incumbent and vice chair. She is also a former principal of Elmira Elementary School and a former vice principal of Elmira High School. She has more than 30 years of experience in education.
Turle was responsible for building the Homework Club program, reinstating Career and Technical Education programs, and working with the College Now program.
She said her vision is to “provide excellence for every student so they can reach their greatest potential.”
Turle said she wants to expand more on the CTE programs that David Johnson teaches at EHS, such as auto and welding, as well as provide additional links to the community college to give more opportunities to students.
“I come from a blue-collar family. I know and respect the fact that not everyone is college bound,” she said. “I would like to see … students graduate with an apprenticeship credential and are able to make a family wage earning job.”
Her challenger, Pizzola, is a former Fern Ridge Middle School teacher who resigned from the district because of the vaccine mandate last year. She started a home-school co-op after leaving Fern Ridge.
Falcon News did not receive responses from Pizzola to emailed questions, but in a Facebook post she wrote: “Currently, our schools in Oregon are failing our children. We are ranked one of the lowest states in the country in test scores, especially in regards to literacy rates. We need to focus on raising test scores via remedial programs and extra supports. We have to encourage students to be involved in athletic programs, leadership activities, and extracurricular offerings. We need to turn away from social and political driven initiatives and turn it back to student success and family engagement!”
Daniels, who is challenged by McCann, filled an interim position last year with no experience in the school board. She does, however, have experience as a volunteer for Fern Ridge activities.
“I am invested in this community and have volunteered at the highest level as a parent and community member from PTA leadership to Booster Club leadership, field trips, graduation events, district facility and bond committees,” Daniels said.
In her short time on the board, Daniels was able to be a part of the creation of two Elmira High School Student Board liaison positions.
McCann, the challenger, is a retired primary school teacher with more than 40 years of experience.
“I have two children that have gone through, graduated, and continued to college from the FRSD. At present, I have four grandchildren in the FRSD. I have also taught hundreds of children in this community. I am invested,” McCann told Falcon News.
If elected, McCann’s goals include focusing on the people in the district.
She said she wants to work toward “bringing back a cohesive relationship between administration, staff, and parents.”
Both Turle and Daniels have been endorsed by the Fern Ridge Education Association, the teachers union in the district.
“They know the issues in the district already. They know the role of the school board, and they support strong public education. We feel like they are the best candidates for the job,” FREA president Forrest Cooper said.
Cooper acknowledged that Pizzola and McCann each have their points, but he still believes the incumbents are better suited for the open positions.
“We feel like they are stronger candidates and they don’t have an ax to grind,” he said. “We like that they are just there to serve.”
Turle and Daniels also have been endorsed by Eugene Weekly.
Pizzola and McCann have been endorsed by the Fern Ridge Community Alliance and Kids for Success PAC (political action committee).
“Our schools should be neutral and avoid controversial views from being promoted especially those that pertain to religion, family structure and sexuality,” the PAC states on its website.
EHS seniors who are 18 are eligible to vote for the school board race if they registered by the April 25 deadline.
Senior Cody Eutsler said he supports Turle for school board.
“She just seems like such a good person at heart,” he said. “She’s been a great school board leader for so long, so I think that she is a great choice to stay in there.”
Eutsler also shared that he had no interest in supporting Pizzola because of past comments she has made and that he disagrees with groups that back her.
“I’m scared for some of my friends who might be targeted by her policies, so I am not happy that there is a chance she might be elected,” he said.
Senior Lucy Mitchem said she also supports Turle.
“I support Jacqueline Turle for school board,” Mitchem said. “She is dedicated and experienced, and I know firsthand how much she cares about students and our community. She is a current school board member, and before this she was the principal of Elmira Elementary School, and assistant principal of Elmira High School. Her long-term involvement in our community proves her dedication and commitment. Everything she does, she does to make our community a better place and help the people here thrive. I know that if re-elected, Jacqueline Turle will continue to give her all towards helping our school and all of its students thrive. That is why she has my vote.”
