The employee was terminated from her position. I wanna ask why? Trevor DeHart Amanda Boothby, a 2015 Newberg High School graduate, organized Tuesdays demonstration. We're so sorry. 'Silencing us isn't OK:' Newberg residents protest school board ban on Campaign issues ad to recall Newberg schools' Dave Brown How could you do that to someone else? The Newberg Education Association gathered with community members ahead of the Newberg School Board vote on whether to ban Black Lives Matter and Pride flags at the school. ", Oregon school district parent: Students of color 'are under attack' at Newberg schools, the Newberg Public Schools board voted 4-3 to keep any sort of political signage out of schools. email:phillipss@newberg.k12.or.us, Address: 714 E. Sixth St,NewbergOR 97132-3406 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.. Judge: Newberg School Board ban on symbols is unconstitutional | kgw.com 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. Former board member Ines Pea resigned several months ago, alleging that she faced a toxic work environment on the board. Opponents of the ban, who have said the language specifically targeting groups of people was illegal, say the policy has helped embolden racists. The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit against the Newberg School District and four members of the district's board of directors, challenging the district's . In Newberg, four of the seven board members voted to fire Morelock, who was under contract through June 2024. Oregon school worker suspended for showing up in blackface in apparent protest of vaccine mandate. The news got the attention of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who visited with Newberg advocates while she was on vacation. The school board voted to ban Black Lives Matter and pride flags. Numerous school and district administrators also have resigned from the district. Support the news and programs youll rely on in 2023 and beyond! "We will be paying for two superintendents," Penner said during the meeting. 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.. However, this topic will be on the minds and tongues of many in Newberg and its greater community for some time. The school board and district are already the target of a lawsuit filed earlier this month by the Newberg Education Association. 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. 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. Penner pointed out the juxtaposition in the board majority pushing to make a decision on Morelock while putting off a decision on the rainbow sign. This is my senior year, and this ban would change everything, how I feel about being there. Attempts to gain comment from the author of the board policy amendment, Shannon, for his thoughts on the settlement were unsuccessful by press time Saturday. If youre shopping for a new purse, check out these luxurious bags that look quite high-end, but cost less than $100. 2 more resign from contentious Oregon school board | AP News Robert Till, who is gay and a sophomore at Newberg High School, told the Associated Press that he is embarrassed to live in the city because of the ban. 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. Newberg Public Schools Board of Directors / YouTube. Its just common sense to me.. Their place is to teach the approved curriculum, and thats all this policy does, is ensure thats happening in our schools.. Board chair Dave Brown did not reply to a request for comment. The three board members who did not vote for the policy banning controversial or political symbols resigned over the course of the last year, alleging harassment. This article was published more than1 year ago. Its just such a bold statement to make. Prior to the public meeting, the board met in executive session, away from the public. 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. 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. Elected in May 2021 - Term expires 6/30/25 The new dynamic has allowed the conservative board members to pass motions that the previous board neither permitted nor passed. Since the board meeting, elected officials around Oregon have responded to the firing with anger and concern for the districts future. The Newberg School Board has rescinded a controversial policy that banned staff from putting up political signs or displays in schools. The district will likely need an interim superintendent as the school year continues. 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. Other groups including the Newberg Education Association, Oregon Education Association, and Basic Rights Oregon, as well as the BIPOC Caucus of the State Legislature have expressed concern and disapproval with this problematic ban. Newberg School Board loses 2 more members over recent controversies 503-888-6365, Brian Shannon The board also voted Tuesday on whether to retain lawyer Tyler Smith, an outside attorney they initially hired at the end of August. 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.. Elected in 2019 - Term expires 6/30/23 Such a bold statement, and so were out here making ours., Charlie Gates, Newberg High School graduate, As a transgender Black man, I wanted to share some of my story and support the Black and LGBTQ community. Its clear their personal politics are stronger than any real desire to come together as a school community, the group said on Facebook. 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. We're going to lose so much from this action. NEWBERG SCHOOL DISTRICT | 714 E. 6TH ST. NEWBERG, OREGON 97132 | (503) 554-5000. "He had a very personal approach and didn't just sit in his office and make decisions arbitrarily. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. I will do everything in my power to create an environment that makes all students feel safe and supported so they can learn and thrive, Shotts said. The board will later decide what counts as "political," but Pride flags and BLM messages were repeatedly referenced during the meeting. OPBs critical reporting and inspiring programs are made possible by the power of member support. This page is not available in other languages. Take action today! Led by the superintendent, their goal was to review this situation over a period of six weeks in order to come to a determination about how to move forward. She said her daughter, who is Black, asks almost every day about other options for her education. I am proudly defiant of this boards illegal and immoral actions.. The Board hires the superintendent, who is responsible to carry out Board policies, provide educational leadership and manage the District's budget and staff. The board voted to adjourn the meeting, but not before Piros addressed Morelock. This was the argument voiced by those who arrived on Oct. 1 not associated with Newberg Rejects White Supremacy Rally. Oregon's Newberg School Board bans Pride, Black Lives Matter symbols in The conditions of his hiring are the basis of a lawsuit against the school board, according to the Newberg Graphic. They cant discipline her or them for putting up a poster in violation of the policy.. The four conservative members of the board voted, 4-3, to fire Superintendent Joe Morelock at the end of Tuesday night's school board meeting. I wont be able to enforce it as it is until weve gone through a bunch of legal review, he said. 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. We could have upheld the Newberg traditions of the past and collaborated together as a united team.. A pair of petitions to recall Newberg school board vice chair Brian Shannon and board chair Dave Brown have each officially obtained enough signatures to qualify for a vote next month, Yamhill . "Dr. Morelock, we know you and we trust you and this pains us terribly," she said. I always tell people you can pretend to care but you cant pretend to show up, said Herrera. Pender said she doesn't know how the school district will handle the financial ramifications of the firing. U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, a Democrat whose district includes Newberg, weighed in with an emailed statement from the U.N. Four members of the school board voted to fire Supt. The board decided to table the decision to uphold or reject the districts response to the complaint, voting along the same 4-3 line as with most other decisions they made Tuesday. [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. The Newberg School Board is responsible for providing a quality educational program for about 5,000 District students. The settlement, according to a release from the Newberg Education Association, accomplished three things, primarily that the school board will not appeal the lower courts ruling that the ban be lifted; that the board will either add language to GBG recognizing the lower courts ruling or rescind the amendment entirely, which the board did at its Jan. 10 meeting; and that the board reimburse the union for a significant portion of the legal fees incurred from fighting this illegal amendment, the release said. If you were in my position and someone took your love and support and identity away how would you feel? For months, the Newberg School District has been making headlines, while its school board mulls a. 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. The sign featured a rainbow, a heart, and the words "Be Known." He referred to a packet given to board members in executive session, but not shared publicly, that had to do with Morelock. I went to NHS and graduated in 2015 and I knew I was gay but didnt have the support to say anything then. 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. The board voted to table that item during Tuesday's meeting. The Newberg School Board voted to terminate the contract of Superintendent Joe Morelock late Tuesday night, in a process that board director Brandy Penner, who voted against the firing,. Tue, January 18th 2022, 2:18 PM PST. 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. It argued that the boards ban introduced as an amendment to board policy GBG in July 2021 by vice-chairman Brian Shannon and approved by chairman Dave Brown and directors Renee Powell and Trevor DeHart was so vague and overbroad it could impact teachers abilities to work in the district. 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. But the motion to adjourn the meeting was voted down, 4-3, with Brown, Shannon, Powell and DeHart voting to move forward. "That was her first reaction, grief," Pender said. OPBs critical reporting and inspiring programs are made possible by the power of member support. Group showed footage of fatal Breonna Taylor raid at restaurant event, dine BLM co-founders cousin dies after police repeatedly use Taser, video shows, Bidens marijuana policy may change attitudes toward immigrants. The board discussion and vote to remove Morelock was tense.