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--> --> Sen. Castillo launches bid for superintendent of schools PORTLAND (AP) - State Sen. Susan Castillo, D-Eugene, announced today she will seek the post held by Oregon School Superintendent Stan Bunn. A former journalist with Oregon Public Broadcasting and a Eugene television station, Castillo is the only Hispanic woman ever elected to the Oregon Senate. Flanked by supporters outside Benson Polytechnic High School, Castillo called for more accountability in schools "so we know we are getting what we pay for." She noted that many Oregon students are achieving at high levels but decried higher dropout rates and low scores especially among black and Hispanic students. "We need to talk about it more and make it a priority," she said. "We need to keep the focus on that issue. We need to be ready to deal with our own diversity." Castillo, who also planned other announcements Tuesday in Eugene and Medford, said Oregon industry needs a skilled workforce to compete in the world marketplace. "I know that helping children reach full potential will reap benefits for all Oregonians today and in the future," she said. Castillo said it is essential that a more stable form of funding be found for education, saying a downturn in the economy makes it difficult to fund schools. She said teachers want good results but don't want more responsibility put on them without the resources they need. Castillo, 50, has been in the Senate since 1997 and is barred by term limits from seeking re-election to the chamber. She is a 1981 communications graduate of Oregon State University. Rob Kremer, 41, a school choice advocate and founder and president of the Oregon Education Coalition, a loosely knit group dedicated to school choice, announced his candidacy for the post earlier this month. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing