In a Dec. 8, 2023 letter that The Oregonian/OregonLive obtained via a public records request, the seven superintendents wrote that they would no longer partner and share data with All Hands Raised.
“At this time, our seven K-12 districts collectively are in agreement that the work of All Hands Raised has pivoted away from its original purpose and is no longer in alignment with our districts’ needs or priorities,” they wrote.
The letter was signed by then-Portland Public Schools Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero, who left his post in February, as well as Multnomah Education Service District Superintendent Paul Coakley and the superintendents of the Gresham-Barlow, Centennial, Parkrose, David Douglas and Reynolds school districts, which collectively serve some of Oregon’s most diverse and highest need student populations.
Coakley, who has been at the helm of the Multnomah Education Service District since fall 2021 and made $228,941 in 2023, according to public records, is the first signature on the letter. Marifer Sager, Coakley’s communications director, refused multiple requests for an interview seeking more details, saying that his schedule was full and that he had no further context to offer beyond the letter. Superintendents from the Reynolds and Gresham-Barlow districts also declined interview requests.
Subsequently, an attorney representing the education service district sent a letter to The Oregonian/OregonLive complaining about the news organization’s attempts to interview Coakley and review relevant public records.