Education

Candidate Column: Ruth Linoz for Springfield School Board

Ruth Linoz – Position 5

Raising my two daughters in Lane County, I had the opportunity because of my husband’s job to stay at home to care for and teach them during the early years of their lives. As they grew older and started school, I volunteered regularly in their classrooms, coached their Kidsports teams, and worked part-time in retail while completing my undergraduate education at Lane Community College. 

While exploring my career options, I discovered a fit for my life experiences and skillset – the community impact of public transportation! As a part-time bus operator, I felt right at home with this opportunity to serve people regardless of income level, education, culture, employment, age, and status who used public transportation for a variety of reasons. It was also unexpected that I would meet and marry one of my regular bus riders, JD.  

During our 23 years of marriage, I’m proud that my daughters earned their college and post-graduate degrees while working and are excelling in the fields of nursing and education. Working his way up the restaurant career ladder, my stepson is the successful manager of his own restaurant. As each married and started their own families, we feel privileged to be grandparents (Tutus) to five, special grandchildren with another one due in August. 

Partnering with parents, district staff and community resources, I believe my experienced leadership can build bridges and rally the critical resources needed to provide age appropriate, respectful learning environment that enable students to excel while developing diverse strengths and skills critical for life and emerging markets. I’ll bring to this position my diverse board experience, hands-on management of fiscal budgets, audits and contracts in business and nonprofit environments, and experience managing a commercial facility. 

Another key to district success will be taking the time and providing opportunities to listen and support the diverse needs of the administrators, licensed teaching staff, certified staff members and substitute employees who dedicate their time and talents to create a positive, supportive community for learning. When it comes to negotiating labor contracts and issues, I have experience as a union member and have administrated personnel decisions for non-union staff according to federal and state compliance requirements, policies, and procedures. 

I’m passionate about developing economic vitality, so I’ve volunteered in economic development, chamber of commerce, historic main street program and community service organizations. As a Rotary Interact Advisor, I mentored high school students as they practiced leadership skills and group dynamics. In addition, it’s an honor to participate in student mock interviews and scholarship committees to prepare them for their futures and to recognize their achievements

Ruth Linoz: Mother, trusted nonprofit leader, volunteer

Lane County resident since 1983; Springfield resident for 22 years

My daughters completed K-12 education in Lane County

Classroom volunteer 

Kidsports softball, basketball coach 

Served on a school district curriculum committee

Rotary Interact Advisor (high school program)

10+ years’ experience managing a private, nonprofit rural transit agency with a $500k budget with state and federal grant funds, contracts, annual audits, and periodic compliance reviews

Certified Project Management Professional 

Academic scholarship committee member

 Community Service, not Politics

Public transportation advisory committees

Economic and Community development boards and committees

Member of Chambers of Commerce 

Cottage Grove Rotary Club Member

Homeless warming center program Volunteer

Veteran and First Responder PTSD support program Volunteer

 My Pledge as a School Board Member

Do what is in the best interest of the students

Push for full, 5-day, in-person education and catching up all children to grade standards

Fiscal transparency and accountability throughout the district

Approve contracts that support the district’s goals and economic stability

Inform and engage parents/guardians/taxpayers how state and district policies impact students

Help promote Career Technical Education Connections with the Community

Support the district continuing its contract with Springfield Police Department to provide School Resource Officers

Work to establish live public comment for school board meetings

A vote for Ruth Linoz will bring energy and focus on work and career ready educational goals, adaptive leadership that is inclusive of diverse ideas and open communication for the betterment of all students, parents, staff and community members!

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