They gathered at 4:15pm on Sept. 29 at the Newberg city centers flagpole where, fittingly, the citys major highway splits. 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. Jozie Donaghey | The Oregonian/OregonLive, ban staff and faculty from displaying Pride and Black Lives Matter banners, construction of a large Pride flag within sight of the citys high school, The Newberg Graphic the ban is likely unconstitutional. 503-888-6365, Brian Shannon The district will likely need an interim superintendent as the school year continues. Easterday granted a summary judgment in the case of teacher Chelsea Shotts vs. the district and the four conservative members of the board. They will be losing resources out of their classrooms. The disputes in the Newberg School Board have come as schools nationwide have become rife with arguments over vaccine and mask mandates, how racism is addressed in teaching, instruction. 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.. 971-409-5792, Dave Brown As an elected official you want to listen to understand their perspective and put yourself in the shoes of a gay person or trans person. For months, the Newberg School District has been making headlines, while its school board mulls a. Meetings and Agendas Policies Programs and Services Student Success Act School Board Internal Staff Directory Strategic Plan Superintendent; Schools Welcome to our schools. I think the point of this is to show that you are trying to sow division with extremist views and you have no interest in listening to the community, school board member Brandy Penner said in the meeting. He looked in people's faces and knew what impact his decisions would have.". Citizens are encouraged to express their ideas, concerns and judgments through communication with District staff and Board members. The school board and district are already the target of a lawsuit filed earlier this month by the Newberg Education Association. "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. Take action today! IE 11 is not supported. Cherice Boch (left) and her son Espen at a Newberg protest on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. This is my senior year, and this ban will change everything.Jozie Donaghey, I came out tonight because I dont agree with the school board decision in banning our flags because I dont think theyre controversial. Board vacancies are filled through appointments made by a majority vote of the remaining board members, according to district policy. I continue to stand with parents, students of color, LGBTQ students, and all members of the community who have courageously continued to speak out against the school boards unacceptable actions.. 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. His mother says he told her White men were cha Sheryl Lee Ralph on her historic Super Bowl act: Its just really neat, Man who died after police used Taser had warned of heart issue, video shows, Memphis officer texted a photo of bloodied Tyre Nichols, records show, Harris, in funeral address, says Tyre Nichols should have been safe. rennet@newberg.k12.or.us. The Newberg school board is seen meeting over Zoom on Nov. 9, 2021. A conservative majority now exists on the Board, after the local group Save our Schools backed two successful bids for spots on the Board. The apparel rule would only apply to staff while they are working. Superintendent: Dr. Stephen Phillips NEWBERG, Ore. When the Newberg School District Board of Directors voted 4-3 to fire former Superintendent Joe Morelock without cause on Nov. 9, multiple dissenting board members. Families, staff, and community members marched in support of the LGBTQ+ community and Black Lives Matter ahead of a Newberg school board meeting Aug. 10, 2021. Its just such a bold statement to make, said Sophia. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. This Oregon school-related article is a stub. 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? Director Zone 2 Newberg school board votes to fire superintendent, no cause given. He has been key in the transformation of a struggling district. I wanna ask why? Sept. 23, 2022 9:50 a.m. The school board voted to ban Black Lives Matter and pride flags. The Oregon Legislatures Black, Indigenous and People of Color caucus condemned the move and the American Civil Liberties Union told The Newberg Graphic the ban is likely unconstitutional. 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. 30 minutes have been allotted for public comments, with a two-minute limit per person. Board . Easterday also granted the school districts and board members argument that the policy is not necessarily discriminatory under Article 1, Section 20 of the state constitution. My mom, in the 50s and 60s, fought for Black rights. Phone: (503) 554-5000, Fax: (503) 538-4374. She said her family was heartbroken when they heard that Morelock had been fired. The initial board conversations about the policy centered around banning Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ Pride flags. 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.. Mailing Address for the Board Board of Directors Newberg School District 29J 714 East 6th St Newberg, Oregon 97132 These are their words, edited for brevity and clarity, (From left to right) Amanda Boothby, Morgaine Terry, Abbee Mortensen and Emily Labahn at the Newberg protest on Tuesday night. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. The board discussion and vote to remove Morelock was tense. Contacting a School Board Member It's a huge hit to our school district," she said. Director Zone 3 Shannon told the Oregonian that Pride flags and banners were to be included in the ban due to conversations he said he has had with a few Newberg families who dont agree with the gender ideology that flag represents.. That does make me a defiant outlier in the face of this board. 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. 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. Newberg School District (29J) is a public school district headquartered in Newberg in the U.S. state of Oregon. The settlement, rendered in December, means the court case will not go forward. Related: Newberg school board officially approves policy banning political symbols. NEWBERG, Ore. Newberg School District board member Ines Pea has resigned her position. Elected in 2019 - Term expires 6/30/23 PORTLAND, Ore. ( Portland Tribune) Newberg has been in the news a lot lately. Forms will also be available at the regular session board meetings. Pamplin Media Group is a KOIN 6 News media partner. The superintendents cabinet of administrators issued a statement after the sudden vote saying it was shocked and dismayed. The group cited what they considered positive examples of Morelocks leadership, including his work turning the districts finances around, creating a safety net of over $9 million. [5], There are seven school board members, each serving four-year terms. Be a part of it! "Newberg Public Schools Contact Information", "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Yamhill County, OR", "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Clackamas County, OR", "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Washington County, OR", "Count of homeless students in Oregon school districts, 2008-2009", "The Newberg school board issue: How did we get here? But the board voted, again 4 to 3, to keep paying the attorney. Dr. Morelock has worked tirelessly on behalf of our students and staff. I assume that is because the state court had already enjoined enforcement of the school board policy that led to both of the lawsuits. The ACLU has threatened to sue if the ban remains on the books, and its not clear how this new bans legalese will affect its prosecution. "This is going to set our district back decades. Newberg educators support Dr. Morelock and the 3 board members who tried their best to stop this atrocity. We are just destroying one another, Powell said. You know exactly why," she said. The Newberg School Board usually meets at 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Published: Jan. 18, 2022, 8:41 p.m. An initial attempt by the Newberg school board to ban Black Lives Matter and Pride imagery was met with widespread protests in the city. Kate Brown (D) announced last month that all teachers, staff and volunteers in the states public schools had to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18. They cant discipline her or them for putting up a poster in violation of the policy.. "I have no idea, financially, how our school district will recover from this. Board member Brandy Penner countered that the top five performing schools in the state had diversity coordinators and diversity statements, while the districts that were struggling educationally have a "lack of anything to do with equity. 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. Maybe it's nothing to you as a white privileged male, but it's a really big deal to a lot of our community, a lot of our staff, and a lot of our students.. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. She said her daughter cried when she told her. 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. "Dr. Morelock, we know you and we trust you and this pains us terribly," she said. Protests against the School Board decision take place on a weekly basis, though pro-BLM demonstrations in Newberg were first inspired over a year ago in the wake of the racial justice demands that were revitalized in 2020. 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. I went to NHS and graduated in 2015 and I knew I was gay but didnt have the support to say anything then. The 4-3 decision drew widespread scrutiny regionally and across the U.S. as national news outlets reported on some of the blowback, namely the construction of a large Pride flag within sight of the citys high school. Morelock, who was silent up to that point during the discussion of the resolution, answered. It supports all the steps we have taken to fight the policy change. The Newberg School Board's choice to ban BLM and Pride flags came following a shift in the Boards composition. The board voted to adjourn the meeting, but not before Piros addressed Morelock. 1:09. OPBs critical reporting and inspiring programs are made possible by the power of member support. Oregon school worker suspended for showing up in blackface in apparent protest of vaccine mandate. The remaining board members have been involved in multiple lawsuits. "It's over. Other lawsuits "That was her first reaction, grief," Pender said. Everything will work out eventually OK," he said. The policy was denounced by the boards three liberal members, who accused the conservative majority of passing a measure that the community does not want. One local grandmother noted that she had no problem with the opposition, her only concern was that she too wanted to be heard. Defendants and their agents acted under color or authority of state law, the lawsuit continued. case filed last year by a Newberg teacher, initial board conversations about the policy, celebrated the ruling in a tweet Thursday, the school board voted to fire Supt. Studies, statistics, research and experts can prove 100 times over that removing those items is harmful and thats what were looking at: trying to be supportive of kids. She pointed at the opposition: We dont have a problem with them here, but they dont even let us get near them. As a family with BLM and Pride signs passed by the small contingent of conservatives, a Black father shouted, Black Lives Matter doesnt represent me. He and his son brought out a banner that read, #All Lives Matter.. 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. The decision comes a few months after a judge sided. 503-887-6447, Raquel Peregrino de Brito Board member Brian Shannon urged the board to vote instead for the newly-revised ban described above, and move on from the controversy. Board Member Penner chastised Shannon for his disregard of the importance of this issue: Thats a ridiculous attempt at trying to pretend that this is nothing. "This feels so draconian this feels so anti-everything," one board member said. "Just remember that from the darkest dark comes the brightest light. State and local leaders across Oregon have spoken out against the actions of the board majority over the last few months. I wish the entire board would join us in these efforts.. The news got the attention of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who visited with Newberg advocates while she was on vacation. Newberg School District board member Rebecca Piros said she can no longer work with people who she feels do not have the best interests of every student and every staff member at heart, KGW-TV reported . In the matter of three months, four people have completely destroyed that.. . The vote came after a charged conversation in which three board members strongly objected to the resolution to fire Morelock. I continue to stand with parents, students of color, LGBTQ students, and all members of the community who have courageously continued to speak out against the school boards unacceptable actions. We are very disappointed in this decision.". [1], It is mostly in Yamhill County, where it serves the cities of Newberg and Dundee. Board members serve four-year terms without pay. Penner responded: "You know exactly why, Rebecca. Appointed in 2022 - Term expires 6/30/23 Sign up to get important news and culture from around the Northwest, delivered to your inbox six days a week. written and/or digital) that contains information relating to the conduct of the school districts business could be subject to a public records request without prior notice to sender. I just cant stand for it., The lack of action prior to this did not demonstrate any harm. 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 board's main job is to establish District policy. NEWBERG, Ore. (AP) Two members of the a school board in Oregon have announced their resignations at a board meeting this week, citing controversial board decisions in the past year. The union claims that the district policy violates state and federal constitution. Support the news and programs youll rely on in 2023 and beyond! The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. During the meeting, staff members visibly shook their heads and teared up. Im an elected official and I support my neighbors. Time is set aside at the business meeting for public comment. VIDEO:School board fires Newberg School District superintendent. "He made sure he was in schools every week with kids interacting," she said. 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. 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.".
