Several newcomers are vying for slots on the Beaverton school board

Published 8:00 am Monday, May 5, 2025

By Scott Keith

Several seats are up for grabs on the Beaverton school board as the May 20 election approaches.

Two incumbents will be seeking another term. Karen Perez-Da Silva will be running against Eric McGuire for the Zone 2 seat. Meanwhile, Sunita Garg, Zone 4, is running unopposed.

Zone 1 also offers a contested race with three new faces: Andrew W. De Mars, Karin Stark and Van Truong. The Zone 5 race features two newcomers, Erin Hatch and Syed Qasim.

Ballots were mailed out April 30.

Andrew W. De Mars, Zone 1

Andrew W. De Mars is running for the Zone 1 position on the Beaverton school board, joining fellow newcomers Karin Stark and Van Truong for that seat on the May 20 ballot.

De Mars is a volunteer art literacy instructor and parent-teacher organization president at McKay Elementary and Conestoga Middle School. He currently works in enterprise software sale and also coaches wrestling, lacrosse and soccer.

“My goals are simple, but important: To be a vocal, strong, fair and impartial advocate for all district students, staff, and families,” De Mars said. “(I seek to) take real action to address class and school sizes, and declining enrollment. No more excuses or misleading information.”

Among his other goals are to strengthen community schools and improve transparency, visibility and communication around district business and to improve the partnership with police and youth service officers.

De Mars holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from San Francisco State University.

Karin Stark, Zone 1

Karin Stark is running for the Zone 1 position on the Beaverton school board. Stark will be competing against other newcomers Andrew W. De Mars and Van Truong for the seat.

Stark is a teacher with the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District and was social studies teacher in the Provo School District. She serves on the community organizing committee of the Beaverton Education Association.

“We cannot achieve student success without the collaboration of parents and educators, the people who know our students best,” Stark said. “The educators and other staff who spend each day in the schools are the experts, not only in their respective field, but also, on students and the communities they serve.”

Among Stark’s goals are to make public meetings more accessible and “interrogate the role of systematic racism in our low student performance.”

Stark holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and social studies from Brigham Young University.

Van Truong, Zone 1

Van Truong is in a three-way race for the Zone 1 position on the Beaverton school board, running against fellow newcomers Andrew W. De Mars and Karin Stark.

Van Truong is a nonprofit leader, education consultant and lifelong educator. She is a member of the Oregon Vietnam Economic, Education and Culture Association.

“One of my top priorities is improving student achievement gaps, especially in early literacy,” Van Truong said. “Too many Beaverton students aren’t reading at grade level by third grade — a critical milestone, as those who fall behind are four times more likely to drop out. Reading is the gateway to opportunity, the ladder to success, and one of our greatest tools for equity.”

Truong seeks to address early literacy and focus on reversing declining enrollment as well as improving how the district supports families and students.

Van Truong has received a doctorate of education from the University of Portland.

Eric McGuire, Zone 2

Eric McGuire is running against incumbent Karen Perez-Da Silva for the Zone 2 seat on the Beaverton school board.

McGuire is a social studies teacher at Centennial Middle School and taught in the Beaverton School District for 30 years.

Citing a need for improved transparency, collaboration and a direct approach to addressing systemic inequities, McGuire “aims to leverage his extensive classroom and community experience for board leadership.”

A supporter of unions and fair labor standards, McGuire has “stated his belief that strong contracts benefit staff and students alike and supports prevailing wage laws and apprenticeship opportunities on public projects.”

McGuire says that creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students is central to his equity goals, calling for greater accountability for the superintendent and the need for stable, locally controlled school funding.

McGuire has a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Oregon State University and a master’s in teaching from George Fox University.

Karen Perez-Da Silva, Zone 2

Incumbent Karen Perez-Da Silva is running against newcomer Eric McGuire for the Zone 2 seat on the Beaverton school board.

Karen Perez-Da Silva, the first Latina to be elected to the school board, has spent over 16 years as a teacher in Beaverton. Perez-Da Silva currently leads Oregon’s Educator Advancement Council, supporting over 80,000 educators across the state.

“As board chair, Karen helped lead the creation of a bold new strategic plan focused on early literacy, academic growth, career and college readiness, and the health, safety and well-being of all students,” a statement provided by Perez-Da Silva said. “Her leadership is grounded in equity, fiscal responsibility and care. She co-led the successful Beaverton School District teacher levy campaign, helping save nearly 300 educator jobs.”

In seeking another term on the school board, Perez-Da Silva’s goal is that every child in Beaverton deserves the chance to thrive. She advocates for creating schools where every student feels safe and valued.

Perez-Da Silva holds a master’s degree in elementary and special education and a doctorate in educational leadership.

Sunita Garg, Zone 4

Sunita Garg is running unopposed for the Zone 4 position on the Beaverton school board.

Garg is a certified public accountant and has been a member of the Bond Accountability Committee, as well as serving as a member of the Audit and Budget Committee. She has been on the Beaverton school board for four years.

“I’m running for reelection to continue supporting and advocating for all students — ensuring they have the opportunities and resources they need to reach their full potential,” Garg said.

Garg’s goals include striving for strong education, advocating for a safe, thriving learning environment where every student has access to high-quality education. Another priority is making sure to address student mental health and well-being.

Garg has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from the University of Toronto.

Erin Hatch, Zone 5

Erin Hatch will be joining fellow newcomer Syed Qasim for the Zone 5 Beaverton school board position in the May 20 election.

Hatch is a community volunteer and works with nonprofits. Her public service responsibilities include being a member of the Arco Iris Spanish Immersion school board as well as serving on the Beaverton Neighborhood Association Committee board.

“I’ve seen firsthand how essential strong schools and community partnerships are to our children’s success,” Hatch said. “I’m running because I believe every student deserves the opportunity, support, and resources to thrive — and I’m ready to get to work.”

Other goals include fiscal responsibility and inclusive leadership.

Hatch has a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s degree in nonprofit management and local government from Brigham Young University.

Syed Qasim, Zone 5

Newcomer Syed Qasim is running for the Zone 5 school board position along with challenger Erin Hatch.

Qasim is a technical architect at Salesforce, and his public service activities include serving as co-chair of the Beaverton Climate Action Task Force and serving as a member of the Beaverton Inclusive Housing Co-hort.

“As a Muslim immigrant with three children in the district, a tech leader at a Fortune 100 company and an active and engaged member of our Beaverton community for over 15 years, I am running for the school board because I am committed to building up our schools to be safe and inclusive for every student,” Qasim said. “I have successfully built coalitions and partnerships across various municipal bodies and I cannot wait to build upon them to serve our community as a member of our school board.”

Qasim has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Portland State University.

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