Hits stride for 2nd term

Deb Reid

This 50-year-old North Bend school board incumbent has lived in the area for more than 16 years.



• Why are you running for school board?

On the board for about four years, Reid said she’d always intended to serve for two terms. She explained there’s a steep learning curve when one becomes a school board member.

“I feel like I’m just hitting my stride, now,” Reid said.

The incumbent said she first became involved with the district as a “board hounder,” because she wanted to be in touch with what was going on with her children’s education. She has a teenage son attending the high school. Through that, she became part of a grassroots movement to advocate for additional education funds from the state. She also ended up joining the district’s budget committee.

• What is or would be your role on the board?

“I’m told I’m the deep thinker,” Reid said.

She said she doesn’t generally make snappy responses at meetings. Instead, she puts a lot of time and thought into her decisions. Reid added that with the upcoming election, the board will lose nearly all of its long-term members.

Staying on the board would mean maintaining a level of experience among the group. She described herself as a consensus builder on the board.

“It does come in handy sometimes.”

Additionally, Reid said she’s gained other valuable experience from Leadership Oregon and while serving on the district’s policy committee. Also a recent participant in labor union negotiations, Reid said she believes in collaborative and interest-based negotiations.

• How do you feel about proposed budget cuts at North Bend schools?

Reid said while the district has been developing a list of ideas to avoid layoffs, some would have to be accomplished via union negotiations. The process of choosing who and what to remove from the schools has been a difficult one, Reid said. With a $3 million budget shortfall, she said all involved feel “helpless.”

• Occupation: Former assistant professor of obstetrics, part-time in information services at North Bend Medical Center.

• Education: BachelorÕs degree from Oberlin College in Ohio, PhD from Oregon Health & Science University.

• Political experience: Four years on the North Bend School District board, as well as almost four years on the districtÕs budget committee.

• Organizations: PEO, Boyscouts of America, North Bend United Methodist Church, Aspire.

I can offer experience

Dara Parvin

This 43-year-old has lived in North Bend for approximately 10 years.



• Why are you running for the North Bend School District Board?

A father of two boys who both attend Hillcrest Elementary School, Parvin said education is very important to him - he spent 30-plus years educating himself.  He said he also now has more time to dedicate to a school board and wants to refocus on what he believes in.

"It's one of the strongest threads that runs through the fabric of our society," Parvin said.

Parvin said he's still directly involved in education through the University of California, Davis. There, he works with residents, teaching them spinal surgery.

The doctor said he feels he could lend a new voice and opinions to the school board, as well as the Bay Area Hospital's board of directors, which he also is running for.

"I'd rather see people who are in education or have a background in education on the school board."

• What is or would be your role on the board?

Parvin said he hopes to act as a compass for the school board, especially during these difficult financial times. He said he's a proponent for well-reasoned debates.

• How do you feel about proposed budget cuts at North Bend schools?

Parvin said he could help the district prioritize what to give up and what to keep.

Parvin added that he wouldn't join the board with a preconceived notions. Instead, he would want to help maintain the district's mission of ensuring children are prepared for the next step - whether that's college or a job. Even with the proposed cuts, Parvin, said the district shouldn't forget that.

"I think that's a principle we can't move away from," he said.

To make up for what has to be removed from the payroll, Parvin said parents, including himself, could volunteer to teach music or science, or provide other assistance to enrich education.

"There's a lot we can do that doesn't cost any money."

• Occupation: Orthopedic surgeon with the Oregon Coast Spine Institute.

• Education: Bachelor's and medical degrees from the University of Washington, and orthopedic residency at University of California at Davis, fellowship training on spine surgery at University of Louisvillle.

• Political experience: none.

• Organizations: Coaches soccer and baseball for his sons.