The powerful impacts of public education on students, families and communities were showcased Dec. 10, as Clackamas Education Service District and Clackamas Community College partnered to host a legislative breakfast on the CCC campus. This annual event provides an opportunity for regional elected officials to gather with K-12 and higher education representatives and expand understanding about our schools’ achievements and challenges.
Attendance at the 2025 event topped 100, as students and education leaders embraced the chance to have informal conversations with nearly 20 lawmakers and their staff members representing regional constituents at the state or federal level.
Three students helped set the tone for the morning, by engaging in a panel discussion about the diverse career pathways they are exploring thanks to education partnerships. Our student panelists were:
- Maximilian, a student at Oregon City’s Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences enrolled in the Expanded Options program, a partnership with Clackamas Community College that allows him to blend high school and post-secondary education as he pursues a career in the trades
- Candace, a CCC nursing student pursuing her education with scholarship support
- Corban, an Estacada High School student attending CCC full-time on a path to earn both his diploma and associate’s degree
The three students shared powerful anecdotes of the personalized support they’ve received in pursuing their individual education pathways. They also helped lawmakers understand the importance of less visible supports that make a difference in students’ lives, from engagement with educator mentors to funding that helps adult students with families make ends meet and stay in school.
Clackamas ESD Superintendent Larry Didway and Clackamas Community College President Tim Cook facilitated the event, and showcased the value of our education system as an economic driver in communities. K-12 leaders promoted their top priority for the “short” legislative session that launches in February 2026: Tap the Education Stability Fund to ensure education is protected from further near-term budget cuts.
Our sincere thanks to all the legislators, school board members, other education leaders and students who took time to attend this annual event, and to our partners at CCC who collaborated with us to make the morning so successful.
