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• Oregon's Education Landscape: Statewide Insights with a Salem-Keizer Lens

  • When
    12 Mar 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Willamette Heritage Center, Dye House, 1313 Mill St Salem Oregon, 97301

  Register

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Oregon's educational landscape is shifting, and this program will highlight the unique role Foundations for a Better Oregon plays in bringing communities, policymakers and partners together to strengthen systems for children.  We will explore the intent and impact of the Student Success Act, review Oregon's and Salem-Keizer's early literacy performance, and consider how our state compares nationally, including where significant equity gaps persist.  The program will also outline reasons for optimism as new investments, research-based practices, and community partnerships begin to take hold.  Salem-Keizer Public Schools will then focus on how the district is responding to its reading and math scores-especially at the elementary level-through  targeted supports, instructional shifts, and renewed attention to student belonging and engagement.

  
  

  Whitney Grubbs

  Executive Director, Foundations for a Better Oregon

  
  

  Whitney brings more than twenty years of public-policy leadership across

  Oregon's government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors.  With a BA and JD (both with honors) from the University of Montana and service in the Governor's Office and the Oregon Education Investment Board, she will frame Oregon's education landscape through the Student Success Act, early literacy performance, national comparisons, equity gaps, and reasons for optimism.

  
  

  Olga Cobb

  Deputy Superintendent for Elementary Schools

  Salem-Keizer School District

  
  

  Olga has served Salem-Keizer Public Schools for more than two decades, beginning as a bilingual instructional assistant and rising through roles as principal, director and district leader.  Born in Columbia and holding degrees from Universidad del Valle and Portland State University, she will share how the district is responding to reading and math scores through targeted supports and equity-centered instructional strategies.

  Event Details:

  Doors open at 11:30

  Program starts at 12:00

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• Oregon's Transportation Issues: What's Driving Them

  • When
    26 Mar 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Willamette Heritage Center, Dye House, 1313 Mill St Salem Oregon, 97301

  Register

  
  

  
  

  
  

  A major focus of Oregon's transportation debate is the legislative process behind the state's current transportation funding bill.  Lawmakers have been working to address a growing funding gap for road maintenance, transit and other critical infrastructure needs across the state.  The proposed package includes potential increases to revenue sources such as the gas tax, vehicle registration fees, and other transportation related funding mechanisms.  As the bill moves through the legislative process, it has prompted significant discussion among policymakers, industry leaders, and community stakeholders about how to best fund and maintain Oregon's transportation system.

  
  

  On Thursday March 26th, Salem City Club will sponsor an in-depth look at the infrastructure status of the Oregon transportation system, including the complicated relationships with the legislative and public policy processes.  How can we understand the upcoming transportation-related referendum on the May 2026 ballot?  How does this affect both rural and urban Oregon?  Join us as we host Rick Metsger, certainly one of the most qualified persons in the State to offer an informed overview and discussion of these and other related important transportation issues.

  
  

  Rick Metsger

  Vice President, Legislative and Public Affairs, PacWest Lobby Group

  
  

  Rick Metsger was an award-winning print and broadcast journalist prior to serving in the Oregon Senate from 1999-2011, where he served as the Senate Pro Tempore and chair of the key Business and Transportation Committee.  He then served as the Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration in Washington D.C. for both the Obama and Trump Administrations.  He now serves as Vice President of Legislative and Public Affairs for the PacWest Lobby Group, where he maintains a strong consulting and advising role in legislative affairs and transportation, along with many other duties.

  
  

  
  

  Event Details:

  Doors open at 11:30

  Program starts at 12:00

  Show details