In a move aimed at reinforcing leadership within Portland Public Schools (PPS), Superintendent Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong has chosen Deborah Kafoury, experienced in local government, to fulfill the role of Chief of Staff, a development that emerged today. According to KGW, Kafoury will direct strategic partnerships and philanthropic and climate justice initiatives while also overseeing the modernization of Jefferson High School among other capital improvement projects.
Announcing her new team member, Armstrong stressed Kafoury's “With her enhanced experience in education and government, she will provide transformational leadership for our philanthropic initiatives, Climate Justice objectives, and strategic partnerships across private and public sectors.” Kafoury is set to assume her position tomorrow, as reported by iHeart's JAM'N 107.5. Her resume boasts a strong background in public service, including 14 years as a Multnomah County commissioner and a former role in the Oregon House of Representatives.
In a statement captured by Portland Tribune, Armstrong elaborated her selection, “I am thrilled to welcome Deborah to our team at this critical time.” Kafoury echoed Armstrong's sentiments affirming her own excitement about the partnership and reiterating the importance of the new superintendent's dedication to student achievement and community engagement at critical juncture for PPS and the local community.
During her previous tenure at Multnomah County, Kafoury navigated the pursuit of significant endeavors including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and addressal of homelessness through initiatives like the Joint Office of Homelessness (JOHS), this work aligns with her designated responsibilities in PPS where her efforts will culminate in the reformative progress of various educational and infrastructural advancements. Armstrong has underscored her aspiration to raise reading and math scores among students, with a focus on disadvantaged groups such as Black and Native American students, Kafoury's accession to the PPS leadership is seen as an integral step towards this goal.
