ASK ESP ELECTIONS
Discover Open Positions and Candidates
Board of Directors Positions
Open Term of Service 8/1/2026 to 7/31/2028
*Interim Appointments 8/1/206 to 7/31/2027
Library Media Director*
Maintenance/Trades Skilled Director*
Racial Equity and Civil Rights Director*
Student Services Staff Director*
At Large Director I*
At Large Director III*
Clerical Director
Custodial Director
Para-Educator Director
Technology Director
Transportation Director
At Large Director II
Executive Board Positions
Open Term of Service 8/1/2026 to 7/31/2028
*Interim Appointments 8/1/206 to 7/31/2027
President*
Secretary*
Vice President
Treasurer
Candidates
Candidates for President
Aaron Allen
Zach Wilson
Whether you’re in a classroom, on a bus, in an office, or supporting students behind the scenes, the hard work and contributions our union members make every single day matter. Every member deserves to feel seen, heard, valued, and supported.
Over the last 8-plus years, I have had the opportunity to build strong relationships with staff across the district while supporting employees in a variety of roles and situations. Through my current role as a Behavioral Intervention Trainer, I work closely with staff throughout Salem-Keizer Public Schools to support safety, training, crisis response, and employee support.
If elected, my priorities would include:
- Restoring collaboration and partnership between ASK ESP and the district while maintaining strong advocacy for classified staff
- Focusing on staff safety, workplace support, job satisfaction, and staff retention
- Creating a district leadership accountability board made up of union members from multiple departments and work groups to help elevate frontline concerns and increase accountability around district decisions impacting classified staff
- Improving member engagement, communication, accessibility, and transparency
- Continuing collaborative labor-management efforts focused on improving systems, strengthening staff support, and updating job descriptions to better reflect the real work staff perform every day
Those priorities come directly from the work I’ve done supporting staff across our district. That work has given me a unique frontline perspective into many of the day-to-day challenges schools and departments are currently facing, while also allowing me to see the incredible work staff do every single day. I have also been actively involved in collaborative labor-management conversations around updating job descriptions to better reflect the real responsibilities and challenges staff face in their day-to-day work.
Over the years, I have built strong working relationships across multiple district departments and teams, including Special Education, Transportation, Safety & Risk, Human Resources, Technology, Maintenance, school-based teams, and district leadership. These experiences have helped me better understand the diverse needs, challenges, and perspectives staff face throughout the district, while reinforcing the importance of leadership that stays connected to frontline employee experiences. I believe those relationships matter because they help create more honest conversations, stronger collaboration, and better outcomes for our members.
I believe ASK ESP should continue to strongly advocate for classified staff while also rebuilding productive collaboration and partnership with the district. My leadership philosophy is centered around being transparent, easygoing, approachable, and member-focused. I believe in listening, communicating honestly, and working alongside others to help move ideas and solutions forward. I also believe in being willing to have tough conversations when needed in order to advocate for our members and continue pushing our goals forward as a union.
At the end of the day, this union is only as strong as the members who show up every day to do the work, support students, and keep our district moving forward. That would never be lost on me as president.
Forward Together
Zacharia Wilson
Candidate for President, ASK ESP
Lorena Maciel-Ochoa
My name is Lorena Maciel Ochoa and I currently serve as a Community outreach Coordinator at two locations in the district. Having worked in the district for almost 6 years in two completely different positions, having started my career in HR, so I have a wide lens of what issues are at hand.
I am seeking the opportunity to run and serve as the ASK ESP President because I believe in strong leadership that requires understanding and knowledge of how both the union and the school district operate, both individually and cohesively.
Representation matters. Our members must be actually listened to, valued, and respected. The silent voices must be spoken for. It is time for real change!
Throughout my time as an active member of our union, I have gained a strong foundation in advocacy, leadership, collaboration, and organizational skills. My qualifications include:
- Racial Equity and Civil Rights Director (ASK-ESP)
- Co-chair: ESP Dues Task Force Committee (OEA)
- Bargaining Team Member (ASK-ESP)
- CORE Committee Member (OEA)
- Oregon State Delegate (ASK-ESP)
- Membership Committee Member (ASK ESP)
- Experience in parliamentary procedure, having attended 4 OEA Rep Assemblies and 2 NEA Rep Assemblies
- Interviews Committee member (OEA)
- Joint Safety Committee Member (ASK-ESP)
I have attended the OEA RA 4 years in a row, the NEA RA 2 years, was given the opportunity to attend the Minorities in Leadership Training Conference, and the NEA ESP Conference. All of these opportunities have allowed me to gain the knowledge on how to be an effective leader and if given the opportunity, use all of those skills to make every member feel valued and heard. I am committed to bringing unity and ensuring the best decisions are made using my wide lens and experience.
I believe our union is the strongest when all members have a seat at the table, leadership is honest, transparent, and is able to professionally gain collective strength.
I would be honored to earn your support.
Sandy Sandoval
Candidates for Secretary
Stacey Ogle
I am running for ASKESP Secretary because I believe my experience, organization, and attention to detail
make me a strong fit for the position. I am highly organized, thorough, and efficient, with a typing speed of
110 words per minute.
My professional background is in administrative and secretarial work. I attended an Applied Technology
school for Administrative Office Technology and have worked in office settings since I was 18 years old. In
my current role as Registrar at Crossler, organization and accuracy are essential to everything I do.
I manage a wide range of responsibilities, including course requirements, student schedules, records,
enrollments, and master scheduling. My position carries significant legal and compliance obligations,
and I consistently ensure that all requirements are met accurately and on time.
Each year, I build the master schedule for approximately 800 students, 40 teachers, six class periods,
and three trimesters. This requires balancing class sizes and teacher prep periods, ensuring students
who need to remain separated are scheduled appropriately, confirming every student meets ODE
requirements, and preventing duplicate elective placements.
These responsibilities require strong communication, discretion, problem-solving, and organizational
skills — all qualities that I would bring to the ASKESP Secretary position.
Candidates for Library Media Director
Sarah Young
I have been a Library Specialist at Salem Heights for seven years and a ASKESP union member for three years. I have fought tirelessly, along with many other Library Specialists, to encourage the district to implement change and language for Library Specialists. Last school year, through tremendous efforts and countless hours, we were able to increase FTE (mid year!) for Library Specialists, upgrade our job title and description, and gain the support of the Deputy Superintendent. None of this progress would have been possible without consistent effort and hard work.
I will bring tenacity, leadership, and dedication to this position.
Please vote for Sarah Young as Library/Media Director on the ASKESP Executive Board.
Candidates for Maintenance/Trades Skilled Director
No Nominations
Racial Equity and Civil Rights Director
Angelica Gonzalez
Candidates for Student Services Staff Director
Nikki Eldridge
Hello, my name is Nikki Eldridge!
I currently (and for the last 8 years) have been working as an ASL Interpreter for the school
district. I am under Student Family Services and have been placed in several programs throughout
the district. I also am a Salem Keizer Graduate – South Salem High School 2011. This year alone I
have gained a great amount of leadership experience working as a Lead Interpreter and I have
also gained a lot of Union knowledge this year alone as a member of the Bargaining Team. I have
also been an RA for 3 years now.
Beyond that I have been a fierce advocate for the students I serve for as long as I have been
employed here and would love to expand my advocacy skills through supporting all of you.
I learn best through experience and am hopeful that you may select me as the next Student
Services Director so that I may continue learning about our members and their rights and all that
our Union has to offer us.
Molly Hood
Candidates for At Large Director I
Elise Wagner
Karla Webb
Candidates for At Large Director III
Megan Dulong
Kayla Graham
My name is Kayla Graham. I have been with the district for 3 years, working as an ASL Interpreter at Salem Heights. I consider myself highly lucky to come from a Union family, with my grandfather serving
as my bus driver and custodian for most of my school career.
I ask for your consideration for the Member at Large III position on the Board of Directors. I have served
as a building rep as well as several committees, including Communications, PACE, and most recently,
Bylaws. I am a strong advocate for our students, and look forward to continuing to represent members
with the same vigor. I firmly believe that we are stronger together, and look forward to any opportunity to
advocate for the good of our members. Thank you!
Candidates for Vice President
Melinda Ellis
Having dedicated 13 years to the Salem School District, I’ve witnessed firsthand the significant role a union board can play in shaping the experience of educational support professionals. It’s crucial for our board to prioritize the needs and interests of our membership, ensuring that every decision made aligns with the goal of fostering a supportive and collaborative environment. Transparency is key, as it builds trust and encourages open communication between the board and our members. By working together as a cohesive team, the board can effectively advocate for the ESPs, addressing their concerns and supporting their professional growth. Ultimately, a union board that is committed to these principles can significantly enhance the quality of education and the working conditions within the district. I believe if elected I can make that happen. The board needs a leader to keep them focused and on track, while working as a team to accomplish the goals of our membership. Please elect me as your VICE PRESIDENT of ASKESP and I promise I will be that leader.
I developed my Leadership skills early, starting in high school to my current roles. As the state president of FFCL in high school, I gained valuable experience in leading and organizing, which laid a strong foundation for my future endeavors. This early experience translated well into my college years, where I became involved in student government, furthering my abilities in governance and advocacy. My role as President and Vice President of the Northview Terrace Pool Board and 6 years as President as Gubser’s Parent Teacher Club (PTC) showcase my commitment to community service and leadership in various settings. At Candalaria, not only have I been the Union Rep for the last 5 years, but my active participation in the equity team and leadership of the social committee highlight my dedication to fostering inclusive environments and building strong, collaborative teams. With years of experience, I have developed a leadership style that is professional, transparent, engaging, and encouraging, making me a valuable asset to to the ASKESP board. Again I ask you to vote for me for your ASKESP VICE PRESIDENT.
Education: Attended Rogue Valley Community College and Southern Oregon University majored in Education.
Fun Facts:
- I love to travel and learn about different histories
- I have two adult children
- I am a proud dog mom of a 6 month old (Monster) MIX!
Contact Information: melindajayson95@gmail.com
Madie Brenden
Hey ASK ESP members!
Madie Brenden here running for Vice President of our ASK ESP union!
I believe that with my leadership skills from being the Clerical Director I learned a lot of valuable tools to be a great leader within our Union. Having been a building rep for my building now for the past 4 years it’s helped me practice being a strong advocate for our members as well with breaks, following BOLI laws and our contract. The past two years I have been serving as our Organizing Chair and have enjoyed learning about
bargaining and I’ve also been on our Grants and Wellness Committee/Scholarships Committee working to help out our members in those ways too. This year I was chosen to be a part of our PACE committee, where I have been a voice for our members and tried to work with the district and advocate for better training opportunities offered for Classified staff. I’ve also been a part of our Safety Committee meetings this year, advocating for safer working conditions and advocating for better safety equipment for our members too.
I, Madie Brenden, am determined to continue helping grow our union, advocating for our members and do my best to be a loud voice/presence at the table for each and every member!
Claudia Mendoza
Candidates for Treasurer
Jenny Gerig
Jen (Jennifer) Colton
I am a detail-oriented professional with an Associate’s Degree in Accounting and 10 years of experience as a Bookkeeper for a small, independently owned housecleaning service. During my decade-long tenure, I managed all financial operations – including payroll, tax filing, and accounts receivable – exclusively within QuickBooks. I am well-versed in GAAP and standard accounting practices. When I came to the school district, my first few years were spent in the Federal Programs department where my focus was on budgets and compliance with federal regulations, keeping accurate records and documentation.
Leadership Experience:
- Union Representative: Attend regular RA meetings, attended representative training, and bargaining sessions, staff advocate (1 year).
- Climate Team: Worked with other classified and licensed union reps along with the principal to improve our overall building climate at Forest Ridge/Optimum Learning Environments (1 year).
- Safety Committee Chair: Provided dedicated leadership for over five years, managing safety protocols and site-wide compliance.
- Leadership Team: Actively participated in long-term strategic planning and organizational oversight for over five years with Forest Ridge/Optimum Learning Environments, and Miller Elementary
Candidates for Clerical Director
Molly Hood
Madie Brendan
Candidates for Custodial Director
Tim Gregory
My name is Tim Gregory, and I would like to introduce myself. I got interested in this line of work because of my father who was a maintenance worker for the Salem-Keizer district for forty seven years. He was the one that taught me that what we do ultimately we do for the kids. I have been a custodian with the district since 1988.
I have worked in the elementary schools for twenty years and am now currently in my eighteenth year at South Salem High School. I have been around for a while, and have seen this union in its infancy and now am in a position to offer my many years of experience in an open forum.
It is my sincere desire to make sure that the staff that I am choosing to represent are getting fair and equitable representation that aligns with the agreed upon contract and policies. It is also of utmost importance that all staff that I represent are treated fairly, and with respect in all of the buildings throughout the district.
I feel being involved in the activities of the union will allow me to share my many years of experience and to learn from others that have years of experience to share. I feel strongly that the exchange of ideas and perspectives is essential to everyone involved.
I have been an official building representative for a number of years. I have also been a contact person with the union to distribute union materials to classified members when there was not an assigned contact person available within the building.
There have been many changes that I have seen in my time with the district. My sincere hope is to be, not only a part of the changes, but to be a positive influence on policies and practices that will constitute positive changes for the future.
I feel very strongly that I will be a liaison, not only for my immediate coworkers, but for all of us that call Salem Keizer School District home.
Thank you for your consideration of Timothy W. Gregory for union representative.
Candidates for Para-Educator Director
Melissa Gauger
My name is Melissa Gauger, and I am running for the Paraeducator Board Director position. I currently work as
a Special Education Instructional Assistant in a DLC classroom at Leslie Middle School. In this role, I support
students with a wide range of needs, and I see every day how important paraeducators are to the success,
safety, dignity, and growth of our students.
I have been involved with ASK ESP on and off for about five years, and I have previously served as secretary.
That experience helped me better understand the importance of member voice, communication, and
representation. I care deeply about our educators and believe paraeducators deserve to feel seen, respected,
informed, and supported.
As a paraeducator, I know how much heart, patience, flexibility, and skill this work takes. We are often asked
to do challenging work while staying calm, compassionate, and professional. I believe our voices matter
because we are directly involved with students every day, and we understand the needs and realities of our
schools from the ground level.
If elected, I would work to listen to paraeducators, bring concerns forward, and help strengthen
communication between members and leadership. I want to be a steady and honest voice for paraeducators,
especially those who may not always feel comfortable speaking up. My goal is to represent our members with
care, fairness, and respect.
I am running because I care about the people doing this work. I care about our students, our classrooms, and
the educators who show up every day to support them. I would be honored to serve as Paraeducator Board
Director and help advocate for the needs of paraeducators across our district.
Melissa Gauger
Special Education Instructional Assistant
Leslie Middle School
Candidate for Paraeducator Board Director
Megan Dulong
Melissa Looney
Candidates for Technology Director
No Nominations
Candidates for Transportation Director
Elise Wagner
Candidates for At Large Director II