Elementary and secondary principals from Oregon were among the hundreds of participants in last week’s NASSP/NAESP National Leaders Conference in Washington D.C.  Oregon Participants included: COSA President Karen Goirigolzarri (Principal, Roseburg H.S.);  OESPA President Mike Donnelly (Principal, Centennial Elementary School, Springfield); OASSA President Pat Stineff (Principal, Sweet Home High School);  NAESP Representative Carlynn Capps ( Principal, Powell Valley Elementary School, Gresham); former NAESP Representative Bob Goerke (Principal, Kelly Creek Elementary School, Gresham); NASSP Coordinator Jan Miner (Director of Secondary Education, North Clackamas SD); NAESP Board of Directors, Region IX, Barb Chester (Principal, Cherry Park Elementary School, Portland); and COSA Director of Government Relations Chuck Bennett.

Pictured here are Stineff, Miner, Goirigolzarri and Chester outside the offces of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton during the conference's July 24  "Day on Capitol Hill."

The conference ran from July 23-26. It included many highlights as speakers outlined national issues facing education and the political climate in the U.S. But the centerpiece of the activities was the “Day-on-the-Hill” meetings with the Oregon Congressional delegation. In the all-day series of meetings, the group met with Members of Congress – Greg Walden, Peter DeFazio, Darlene Hooley and David Wu and Senators – Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden. Topics included proposed changes to NCLB and proposed federal appropriations for a variety of programs including professional development for administrators. Each issue was warmly received by lawmakers and their education staffers.

In addition to meetings and conference activities, the Oregon principals also took a tour of the Capitol with a staff member from Darlene Hooley’s office and participated in the conference’s dinner cruise of the Potomac though downtown Washington and Georgetown. The weather in Washington was excellent, with temperatures in the low 80s and minimal humidity for the East Coast.

The conference is an annual trip led by COSA’s Chuck Bennett and is open to local association presidents, presidents-elect and national association representatives.