Hillsboro School District Board Elections

Every other May, elections are held for positions within the Hillsboro School District’s School Board. This year, numerous candidates ran for the four open positions within the board. Positions one, two, three, and six were up for general election. In 2019, positions four, five, and seven will be up for re-election.

A total of eleven individuals, including two who were incumbent, ran for these positions. Erika Lopez, April Davis, and Jen Brandse ran for position one, Glenn Miller (incumbent 2013- present) and Mark Watson ran for position two, Monte Akers (incumbent 2011- present) and Martin Granum ran for position three, and Kevin Currin- Smith, Jaci Spross, Alexander Flores, and Brian Lyles ran for position six.

Erika Lopez works in the City of Hillsboro’s finance department. Lopez has been endorsed by the Hillsboro Tribune, Planned Parenthood, the Hillsboro Education Association, and Stand for Children.

April Davis is an administrative assistant and a community volunteer. Davis has been endorsed by Oregon Right to Life.

Jen Brandse is a graphic designer and a disability rights activist. Brandse has not been endorsed.

Glenn Miller is a current position holder and is a software development manager. Miller has not been endorsed.

Mark Watson is a product manager director with Stats. He is also the father of Century Sophomore, Mark Watson jr. Watson has been endorsed by the Hillsboro Tribune, Planned Parenthood, and the Hillsboro Education Association.

Monte Akers is a current position holder and is an accounting manager. Akers has been endorsed by the Hillsboro Tribune.

Martin Granum is a manager in Washington County and is a former United States Air Force member. Granum has also been endorsed by Planned Parenthood.

Kevin Currin-Smith is a manager of a tech company and served in the United States Army. Currin- Smith has not been endorsed.

Alexander Flores is an engineering analyst. Flores has been endorsed by the Hillsboro Tribune.

Jaci Spross is an executive assistant and is the mother of Century Alumni Anna Spross and current Century High School Sophomore Michael Spross. Jaci Spross has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood, the Hillsboro Education Association, and Stand for Children.

In order to vote for a candidate, an individual must be a registered voter and have lived in the county for a year prior to the election.

Tuesday, May 16th was general election day, and by the evening the results came in.

Erika Lopez was elected for position one, with 53.9% of votes, a total of 8’290 votes.

Mark Watson was elected for position two, with 58% of votes, a total of 8’819 votes.

Martin Granum was elected for position three, with 51.71% of votes, a total of 7’777 votes.

Jaci Spross was elected for position four, with 41.96% of votes, a total of 6’385 votes.

These individuals will hold their position for four years, in 2021 these seats will be up for re-election.

“I’m really proud of [my dad],” stated Sophomore Mark Watson. “He knocked on doors, went to so many meetings, and worked so hard. He really deserved this win and our whole family is proud of him.”

As of now, these individuals will work to run the Hillsboro School District and work to better students, schools, and the community.

Former HSD Board Member and current representative Janeen Sollman stated, “ School board members collectively oversee the superintendent of the school district and set policy for the district… It is important to elect board members that are eager to serve the district.” Sollman also states that ,” If we don’t have a strong representation of our community, the issues we care about might not get to be heard.”

Overall she expresses her excitement of the newly-elected, and them taking office in July.

We can’t wait to see what they have in store.