ENDORSED

“As the mother of a current PPS high schooler and a 2024 PPS graduate, La Forte has shown up for years as a volunteer, advocate and, when needed, a challenger to the district…those efforts reflect one of La Forte’s strengths - her ability to identify, create and execute solutions to big problems.”

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ENDORSED

“La Forte has a history of getting things done when she throws her weight behind them. Her deep connections to the PPS community, including through two sons, means her advocacy is personal…La Forte’s years of accomplishments make her the clear choice.”

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Woman with glasses smiling outside a red brick building with columns; group of people in the background.

Leadership
that always
delivers.

“I’d stand shoulder to shoulder with Virginia in the trenches any day—she’s smart, strategic, relentless, and deeply committed to students. When Virginia’s in the room, things get done.”

—Julia Brim-Edwards, Multnomah County Commissioner & PPS Board of Directors

Donate

I’m a PPS parent, 20-year resident of N/NE Portland, and long-time champion for PPS students. I’ve spent the last 13 years delivering significant systemic and policy changes that have positively impacted thousands of PPS students and staff. As the parent of a recent graduate and a current high school freshman, I have a front-row seat to the student experience—both at home and as a member of the Site Council at PPS’s largest high school. My experience has taught me something: if you want to change the system, you have to understand it, challenge it, and stay in it long enough to see things through. PPS should work—for every student. I’m ready to work for it, with you. First priorities? Addressing literacy gaps, chronic absenteeism and our unsafe, unhealthy infrastructure. Let’s get to work.

“Virginia is a respected community leader who shares our mission to ensure all students—especially those whose potential is too often overlooked—receive a high-quality, relevant education. She brings the skills to break down barriers, build partnerships, and deliver real results for kids.”

— Stand for Children

VIRGINIA DELIVERS REAL RESULTS FOR PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Virginia has helped deliver:

Coming in June 2025: The first-ever City of Portland public hearing to add field lighting to the Grant Bowl—paving the way for access and equity for all NE Portland students.

$150M in environmental health and safety improvements with repairs in all PPS schools, including the removal of lead paint, lead in water, seismic upgrades and asbestos removal.

$10M in air quality improvements at Harriet Tubman Middle School.

A policy limiting school-day cell phone use.

Bond funding for modernizations of McDaniel High School, Lincoln High School, Benson High School, & Kellogg Middle School.

An improved Oregon Department of Education complaint process for families.

Centralization of TAG funding to redirect funds to classrooms—especially in Title I schools that had been historically overlooked.

Revamped playing fields and outdoor improvements at schools including long-term upgrades to the Grant Bowl.

“As a Portland City Councilor, I know how critical it is to have leaders who not only have a strong vision—but can bring people together and get things done. Virginia has shown time and again that she can turn bold ideas into real action through deep community engagement and strong follow-through. That’s why I unequivocally support her for the School Board.”

— Dan Ryan, Portland City Councilor // District 2 (N & NE Portland)

Virginia is trusted.

When Virginia points out a problem (there have been many), she quickly builds authentic relationships and leverages existing ones to expedite solutions. This is the approach we need right now. Why? Distrust within the district makes it impossible to move the needle to affect change for our students and educators. To drive change, we need to come together—and Virginia is a proven coalition builder:

Grant Bowl Community Coalition, Co-Founder
PPS Environmental Technical Advisory Committee to improve Harriet Tubman Middle School
PPS Bond Stakeholder Advisory Group, Community Lead on Environmental Health and Safety improvements
Grant High School Site Council to improve high school school climate
Portland Interscholastic League Foundation, NE Representative
Oregon Department of Education Work Group, PPS Representative
PPS Talented & Gifted Advisory Council
Friends of Grant Music, Co-Founder & Fundraising Chair
Frequent school volunteer — from facilitating pull-out math groups for first-graders, to creating new high school traditions like choir caroling nights with local neighborhood associations, to picking up flowers for educators to celebrate a great event, Virginia always steps up for students and staff.

Virginia’s Approach:

Urgency & Action

Virginia is committed to addressing literacy gaps, chronic absenteeism, and safe, modern learning environments—NOW.
Equity & Opportunity

Every student deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their zip code. Virginia fights to remove barriers and build belonging.
Support for Educators

Virginia loves and respects our educators. She believes they deserve classroom supports and a healthy work environment.
Accountability & Transparency

Virginia a stickler for transparency and smart implementation of our public funds—planning and follow-through matters.

“Virginia is wonderful. She is real, she’s trustworthy, and she knows how to get things done through building authentic relationships. Her mix of humanity and effectiveness is exactly what we need on the School Board.”

— Sharon Meieran, former Multnomah County Commissioner

Virginia is proudly endorsed by:

The Oregonian

Editorial Board
Willamette Week
Stand for Children
Willamette Women Democrats
Lisa Reynolds

Oregon State Senator
Julia Brim-Edwards

Multnomah County Commissioner, PPS Board of Directors
Dan Ryan

City Councilor (District 2 - N/NE Portland), former PPS Board of Directors
Sharon Meieran

Former County Commissioner
Eddie Wang

Chair, PPS Board of Directors
Gary Hollands

PPS Board of Directors, Executive Director, Albina Sports Program
Patte Sullivan

PPS Board of Directors
Mariah Hudson

PPS Budget Advisory Committee Chair
Bob McKean

Former Interim Superintendent - PPS, former Superintendent, Centennial School District
Ashley Thirstrup

Former Director of Youth & Education Services, Native American Youth and Family Center
Amy Kohnstamm

Former Chair, PPS Board of Directors
Pamela Knowles

Former Chair, PPS Board of Directors
Carol Turner

Former Chair, PPS Board of Directors
Bill Scott

Former PPS Board of Directors, former Co-Chair, SUN Coordinating Council
David Wynde

Former PPS Board of Directors
Stephen Griffith

Former PPS Board of Directors, PPS Constitution Team Coach
John Eisemann

PPS Teacher (High School)
Jaina Kapranos

PPS Teacher (Pre-K)
Karla Hudson

Former PPS Teacher (Elementary School, 22 years)
Lisa Rockower

Community Leader
Dana Nerenberg

Community Leader
Sonia Marie Leikam

Community Leader
Connie Wohn

Community Leader
Megan Steffek

Community Leader
Liz Super

Community Leader
Will Levenson

Community Leader