Meet Lena
A New Voice for the Lake Oswego School Board
Lake Oswego deserves leadership that truly listens to our families, manages our resources wisely, and keeps the focus where it belongs — on the success and well-being of our students.
That’s why Lena Elbakshish is running for the Lake Oswego School Board.
With 20 years of experience in accounting and finance, service as Treasurer of the Lake Grove PTA, and a deep history of school volunteering, Lena brings a much-needed combination of professional expertise and community commitment. She knows how to manage large budgets, ask the hard questions, and demand better outcomes. We owe it to our students, our staff, and our taxpayers to spend smarter—and to clearly communicate how and why those decisions are made.
Why Lena is Running
In her own words:
“There is a disconnect between what parents and students want and the decisions being made. The community deserves to be listened to and to know that their opinions and feedback matter.”
Lena’s campaign focuses on four clear priorities:
✅ Academic Excellence – Strengthen the foundation of learning to prepare every student for future success.
✅ Fiscal Responsibility – Ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely, avoiding decisions that put the district in financial jeopardy.
✅ Safe, Welcoming, and Inclusive Schools – Support solutions that provide private, safe, and respectful spaces for every student while honoring diverse needs.
✅ Community Voice and Engagement – Build stronger collaboration and transparency between the board and families, teachers, and students.
A Thoughtful Approach to Student Safety
Lena supports providing individual, non-gendered bathrooms and changing spaces — ensuring privacy and dignity for every student, without creating co-ed environments that may compromise student comfort, especially during critical developmental years like middle school.
She believes that protecting student safety, privacy, and dignity is a priority — without politics or division.
A Fresh Start for Lake Oswego
Lena’s experience, leadership, and deep care for our community make her uniquely qualified to serve on the school board.
She is ready to listen, ask the hard questions, and make the right decisions for our students, teachers, and families.