newberg school board decision

. Controversy in Newberg persists after the recent Newberg School Board decision to ban both Black Lives Matter (BLM) flags, and Pride flags. Board member Brandy Penner said she had endured an abusive and disrespectful work environment on the board, and said the board had violated public meeting laws. It makes me feel unsafe in my district and like Im not being heard., I would ask them how can you do that to your kids, your community? The quality of some of the stories that we heard should count more than just the number of emails that we received, said Pea, who was wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt and rainbow headband during the virtual meeting. Shame on our school district for making decisions about these kids lives as if they really cared. Man shot by Salem police officer was person of interest in police car shootings, 'I am sorry': Shemia Fagan ends consulting side job with cannabis company, Portland temperatures soaring after weeks of near-record rainfall, Newberg teachers union sues over 'political images' ban in schools, Newberg school board votes to ban teachers from displaying BLM, Pride symbols in classrooms, Dozens in Newberg rally against hate amid ban on political signs. IE 11 is not supported. She announced her decision at a board meeting Tuesday night, citing a "toxic work environment." One local grandmother noted that she had no problem with the opposition, her only concern was that she too wanted to be heard. Those in favor did not explain their decision. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Navigating a global pandemic with immense challenges, Dr. Morelocks leadership has been demonstrated in the low turnover of building and district leadership, and the hiring of excellent new teachers and staff who more closely reflect our student body. Morelock has been the superintendent of Newberg School District since July 2018. 503-501-6035, Renee Powell And Im just very disappointed in this decision., Thanks Rebecca, Morelock told her. Forms will also be available at the regular session board meetings. I move that we table this and adjourn the meeting, I feel its too important to push this through, she said. VIDEO:School board fires Newberg School District superintendent. By banning these symbols theyre saying were not accepted here.Jozie Donaghey, I came out tonight because I didnt agree with the school boards decision and didnt think they listened to enough student voices, so Im here exercising my right to protest for representation we deserve., You know, they mentioned a lot that putting these flags in classrooms would make people uncomfortable, but I think they should look at the other side of that tooby banning the flags, theyre saying were not accepted here. Its clear their personal politics are stronger than any real desire to come together as a school community, the group said on Facebook. Im so in awe at how many people are here because my experience wasnt the best so seeing everyone so gung-ho about it is heartwarming.. State Rep. Ricki Ruiz said he was "disappointed by the actions taken from Newberg School Directors to ban pride and BLM flags from schools, and their attempts to roll back on anti-racist school policies such as the Every Student Belongs policy. Both the school principal and Morelock dismissed the complaint, saying the sign and its message are not political, quasi-political, or controversial. To get in touch with any Director, you may contact them directly or contact School Board Secretary at 503-554-5000 The entire Board can be reached at boardmembers@newberg.k12.or.us. We're so sorry. "That was her first reaction, grief," Pender said. Why would you remove something that wasnt harmful but is going to cause harm?, Roland Herrera, a Keizer City Council member, says he attended the Newberg protest against the political ban in the school district to support his neighbors. "This is going to set our district back decades. Those protesting or . But the board voted, again 4 to 3, to keep paying the attorney. You know exactly why," she said. Because they're cowards and they know they're going to get sued. This page is not available in other languages. So why would they do that? U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, a Democrat whose district includes Newberg, weighed in with an emailed statement from the U.N. The board enacted contentious policies over the past year, including a ban on teachers displaying pride and Black Lives Matter displays on campuses which was later expanded to all political displays after legal concerns and abruptly firing former Newberg superintendent Joe Morelock without cause. The. Penner responded: "You know exactly why, Rebecca. Board Vice-Chair, Director Zone 7 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The decision in suburban Portland follows a pair of recent racist incidents at Newberg Public Schools. She said her daughter, who is Black, asks almost every day about other options for her education. NEWBERG An Oregon school board has banned educators from displaying Black Lives Matter and gay pride symbols, prompting a torrent of recriminations and threats to boycott the town and . Newberg is a town of 23,000 situated 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of Portland. The new dynamic has allowed the conservative board members to pass motions that the previous board neither permitted nor passed. "I'm baffled why you feel this needed to be done and why you feel it needed to be done tonight," Piros said. Easterday granted a summary judgment in the case of teacher Chelsea Shotts vs. the district and the four conservative members of the board. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. It's a huge hit to our school district," she said. They cant discipline her or them for putting up a poster in violation of the policy.. [3][4], In the 2009 school year, the district had 156 students classified as homeless by the Department of Education, or 3.0% of students in the district. At the start of the public meeting, the boards conservative 4-3 majority voted to add the superintendent discussion, seemingly based on what the board had talked about when they were behind closed doors. Superintendents for Greater Albany Public Schools, Adrian School District School, and Woodburn have all been removed this year, for varying reasons. "Know that your integrity has spurred us to be faithful servers to our children and we wish you well. We wish you well, were so sorry, she said. Schneider and other members who oppose the ban believe the flags provide a source of safety and security to underrepresented and vulnerable students. The students are not being heard., The board was also expected to work on "replacement language" for the district's anti-racism policy and consider re-examining the Oregon Department of Education's "Every Student Belongs" policy, which, in part, "prohibits hate symbols, specifically three of the most recognizable symbols of hate in the U.S. the swastika, the Confederate flag, and the noose.". With their continued attack on symbols of support for Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ pride, the school board is on a dangerous and harmful path. They think this quality will be hindered by the presence of ideological symbols. The apparel rule would only apply to staff while they are working. Business meetings and work sessions are held at the Newberg School District Office, 714 East 6th Street, Newberg, Oregon. The split between the boards majority and minority was clear, with members in the majority remaining quiet, and minority members repeatedly objecting to the speed of the conversation and pointing out the cost, financial and otherwise, of losing Morelock. What the district has done is unacceptable. Newbergs board isnt the first in Oregon to terminate its superintendent this year. Take action today! Appointed in 2022 -Term expires 6/30/23 Since the board meeting, elected officials around Oregon have responded to the firing with anger and concern for the districts future. We can continue to create safe spaces in our schools and offer support to students who identity as LGBTQIA+ and students of color without fear of retaliation.. Piros said she had to file public records requests just to access all of the information Smith was sharing with other board members in the conservative majority. "I feel like this is the nail in the coffin as far as her desire to stay and keep making change here," she said. The conservative majority on the school board in Newberg voted 4 to 3 to adopt a policy that has attracted national attention, criticism and protests in the weeks since it was introduced. Love is love, everybody has the right to choose. PORTLAND, Ore. ( Portland Tribune) Newberg has been in the news a lot lately. Time is set aside at the business meeting for public comment. School board director and vice chair Brian Shannon, who voted for the measure and added the language about apparel, said the "main goal of this is to get political symbols and divisive symbols out of our schools so we can focus on the already difficult task of educating our students in the core subjects.". The school board voted to ban Black Lives Matter and pride flags. [5], There are seven school board members, each serving four-year terms. The district will have to pay Morelocks salary and benefits for the next 12 months, according to a reading of Morelocks contract during the meeting. The ban on displaying such symbols in the classroom has been condemned by the Newberg City Council and Oregon Democrats, and the Oregon State Board of Education has called on the school board to reverse course. We are supposed to be here for all children and to make all children feel safe and welcome, and by lifting one group or several groups over another, thats not welcoming and safe.. My daughter wears rainbow pajamas all the time, Shannon said. Renee Powell, one of the conservative members on the school board, said that the policy would improve the lives of students. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Making it easier for Black people to vote had unexpected consequences, Latinos who use Spanish-language social media get more misinformation, How public colleges have already backed away from affirmative action. PORTLAND, Ore. (Pamplin Media Group) The union that represents the nearly 300 teachers in the Newberg School District is heralding a settlement in a lawsuit that claimed the school boards 2021 ban on BLM, Pride and other political symbols in classrooms was unconstitutional. As pressure mounted, the four conservative members voted to hire a. The Snapchat group sometimes specifically targets Black students. "Anti-free speech, anti-free expression, anti-safety. Its just common sense to me.. A sign depicting a rainbow flag with a heart superimposed, along with the words Be Known, in Shotts classroom window at Dundee Elementary was the subject of the first complaint under the policy. It supports all the steps we have taken to fight the policy change. They filed a lawsuit against the school district and the four board members who voted for the policy chair Dave Brown, vice chair Brian Shannon, Renee Powell and Trevor DeHart. State and local leaders across Oregon have spoken out against the actions of the board majority over the last few months. The initial board conversations about the policy centered around banning Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ Pride flags. In response to the reoccurring demonstrations against the School Board's decision, a group of counter-protesters who support the School Board's decision stood on the southeast side of the intersection. The union claims that the district policy violates state and federal constitution. Also Tuesday night, the board discussed its first complaint under the new political symbols ban, a rainbow sign in an elementary school window that said Be Known, a slogan used by George Fox University. Individual leaders who have voiced concerns with this policy include the Mayor of Newberg and the President of George Fox University; both of these leaders issued a harsh rebuke of those who classify school as an inappropriate place for discussing contentious issues. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. NEWBERG Two members of the Newberg School Board announced their resignations at a meeting earlier this week, citing controversial board decisions in the past year. The Newberg School Board has rescinded a controversial policy that banned staff from putting up political signs or displays in schools. 714 East 6th St We could have upheld the Newberg traditions of the past and collaborated together as a united team.. To me its sad that were still doing this, because Ive been out here doing this since the 60s and we have to keep being on top of it., I would tell them to listen to the folks. In May, the board named as its next superintendent, Stephen Phillips, who was put on leave amid an investigation in his most recent Oregon superintendent role and who resigned from another superintendent position after retweeting an offensive remark about people who enter the country illegally. Trevor DeHart We're going to lose so much from this action. Gunn then appealed Morelock's decision to the school board. Why did you organize it? That means the board cant enforce the policy against Shotts or, for that matter, anyone else. Smith, the lawyer, continued his involvement in the board meeting, directing Brown of the language to use in moving to terminate Morelocks employment. Some board members seemed confused about what executive session business would become public. This means ensuring school boards are held accountable; that there is access to training around educational equity and governance that is action-oriented for leaders; securing students a say and a voice at the policy-making table; and making sure superintendents jobs are protected when they are simply following the law, according to the statement. Unfortunately a few school board members are forcing through these inappropriate, and possibly illegal, changes, which will have long-lasting consequences and threaten student safety. At a demonstration Sunday, BLM supporters protesting the school boards policy clashed with some members of the Proud Boys, a far-right group that has endorsed violence, according to the Portland Tribune. For Black boys, this isnt A Black man was dismembered. The community blowback led the Newberg School Board to alter the language of the ban on Sept. 1, removing the specific mentions of Pride and BLM. Recently, The Newberg Graphic has reported on two different lawsuits that involve the ongoing feud between the conservative majority of the Newberg public schools board and the sinister mafia-esque group called Newberg Equity in Education, which as I have previously reported, is a splinter cell of Progressive Yamhill AKA Save Yamhill County PAC AKA Yamhill County Democrats, led by Lynette Shaw . What brought you out tonight to the protest? Director Zone 4 Thomas Crist, a Portland attorney who filed a friend of the court brief in the case on behalf of the plaintiffs, concurred with his cohort from the legal community. Public comments are scheduled for regular session board meetings only. Electedin 2019 "These symbols arent hurting anyone and I dont see why banning them is necessary," said Pea. Boothby says she organized the protest because when she attended Newberg High School she didnt always feel welcome as a gay student. This move is yet another example of a board majority bringing instability to our schools. Im an elected official and I support my neighbors. I just cant stand for it., The lack of action prior to this did not demonstrate any harm. BREAKING: This morning, the Yamhill County Circuit Court concluded that Newberg School District's anti-display policy violates Article I, Section 8 of the Oregon Constitution. 408-472-4257, RonRilee There has been insufficient public comments, input, notification, and it is 10:30 at night on a school night, Penner said. Brown, the board chair, seemed unaware of the details of the complaint, despite its inclusion in the board packet. Thats not their place, Shannon said. The boards decision comes at a time when Newberg, a city of 25,000 in Oregons wine country, has been embroiled in state and national culture wars over free speech, racism and vaccinations. School board zone map and written descriptions are available online: https://bit.ly/3MULBka For questions contact Tabitha Renne at 503-554-5041. This was the argument voiced by those who arrived on Oct. 1 not associated with Newberg Rejects White Supremacy Rally. With that, the board turned to their actual conversation about Morelock. 503-554-5041 Board of Directors Elected in May 2021 - Term expires 6/30/25 If you want to plan the perfect spring picnic, food and drink are important, but its certainly not the only factor to consider. In the board packet for Tuesday's school board meeting, one agenda item was to address Morelock's response to a Newberg citizen's complaint about a sign in the window of a classroom at Dundee Elementary. On behalf of Dr. Morelock and the work he has begun, we will continue to fight for safe, stable learning environments for our students. Defendants and their agents acted under color or authority of state law, the lawsuit continued. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Morelock determined it was a slogan for George Fox University and not a political symbol. The board's four conservative members, David Brown, Brian Shannon, Renee Powell and Trevor DeHart, voted at the start of Tuesday's board meeting to add the resolution to the agenda. He was hired as the permanent Superintendent beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. Think about the students before your own opinions., Parent and local counselor Holly Hetrick says she attended the protest to show support for all her middle school and high school clients, her LGBTQ children and their friends. The school boards vote to terminate their superintendent Tuesday night comes after months of local and national attention on their effort to ban what proponents deemed political symbols, as well as several racist incidents involving staff and students. Elected in 2019 - Term expires 6/30/23 The sign featured a rainbow, a heart, and the words "Be Known." At Tuesdays meeting, Penner indicated she is disgusted over a vote that she suggested had already been decided weeks earlier by the conservative majority. Plaintiffs seek a declaration that the district policy prohibiting plaintiff association members from hanging, posting, erecting or otherwise displaying any posters, signs, flags, banners, pictures or other digital or physical image that depicts support of opposition relation to a policy, quasi-political or controversial topic, violates plaintiffs guarantees under Article 1, Section 20 of the Oregon Constitution against vague laws that confer unbridled discretion, because such discretion creates the potential for unequal application of the law, and thus arbitrary or unequal treatment of individuals, the filing said. The amended policy remains as a ban on all political or quasi-political signs displayed by teachers. Comments submitted via email, that are intended to be read aloud by the superintendent (or designee), need to be sent to publiccomment@newberg.k12.or.us no later than 4:00 pm the Monday prior to regular session. 30 minutes have been allotted for public comments, with a two-minute limit per person. OPBs critical reporting and inspiring programs are made possible by the power of member support. Aruna Masih, the attorney from Portland law firm Bennett Hartman who was representing the NEA and the four teachers/counselors, said she couldnt comment on the particulars of the case, but speaking in general terms said that once two parties reach an agreement on resolution of a case, called a stipulated notice of dismissal, the court typically accepts the notice and dismisses the case. He said in the Tuesday evening meeting that the policy championed and adopted by him and his conservative colleagues is very straightforward and shouldnt be controversial., We dont pay our teachers to push their political views on our students. "I protest that none of you had anything to say about why you wanted to do this, that the public is ," Piros said before she was interrupted by Brown. Latino leaders could collaborate with Black communities. We will be losing a leader who has pulled us out of financial ruin, who has rebuilt community, who has rebuilt relationships, she said. Other lawsuits NEWBERG, Ore. A Yamhill County Circuit Court judge has ruled that the Newberg School District's ban on some symbols, including Pride and Black Lives Matter flags, is unconstitutional, the. Before the resolution was brought forward, Penner, Piros and Pena attempted to stop it and adjourn the meeting. The vote came after a charged conversation in which three board members strongly objected to the resolution to fire Morelock. It argues that the policy violates the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment guaranteeing free speech and the 14th Amendment, which guarantees due process and equal protection under the law. The ACLU celebrated the ruling in a tweet Thursday, saying they await the courts final order.

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