Sen. Roblan leads the charge on education reform in Oregon, Dec. 24

Former educator ideally positioned to transform state’s education system. SALEM – Not many in the Oregon Legislature are better suited than a retired career-long educator to address the most pressing educational needs in Oregon. Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, has appointed Sen. Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay, to continue his work as Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Committee on Student Success. The committee has been tasked with crafting legislation that will not just improve, but transform, public education in Oregon. “I’ve been an educator for a long time and our schools are our most vital resource that we offer our children for a better future,” Roblan said. “We are recognizing right now that we need to do better. We’re taking a ‘go big or go home’ approach on this, because it’s for our state’s future. This is probably the most important work I will do in my entire working life.” Roblan also will be serving on the budget-writing Joint Committee on Ways and Means and its Education SubCommittee, in addition to the Senate Rules Committee and Environment and Natural Resources Committee. A retired teacher and principal at Marshfield High School in Coos Bay, Roblan now represents Senate District 5, which includes a large swath of the Oregon Coast and includes portions of Coos, Douglas, Lane, Lincoln, Tillamook, Polk and Yamhill counties.