I wish the entire board would join us in these efforts.. How could you do that to someone else? The. 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.. They cant discipline her or them for putting up a poster in violation of the policy.. This sentiment has been expressed by students who have recently given public comment in School Board meetings, one even stating that the Pride flag could mean life or death for some, given an estimate that at least one transgender minor attempts suicide every 45 seconds. "Dr. Morelock, we know you and we trust you and this pains us terribly," she said. Gov. The amended policy remains as a ban on all political or quasi-political signs displayed by teachers. Those wishing to speak at the regular session will need to complete the Newberg School Board Public Comment form and submit it to the board secretary prior to the start of the meeting. On behalf of Dr. Morelock and the work he has begun, we will continue to fight for safe, stable learning environments for our students. 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. Phone: (503) 554-5000, Fax: (503) 538-4374. 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. After hearing from a fraction of. Forms will also be available at the regular session board meetings. 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? 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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. Screenshot taken from YouTube. 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. Amanda Boothby, a 2015 Newberg High School graduate, organized Tuesdays demonstration. ", "Policies such as ESB are in place to ensure students feel welcome and safe while learning," he said. At Tuesdays meeting, Penner indicated she is disgusted over a vote that she suggested had already been decided weeks earlier by the conservative majority. He has been key in the transformation of a struggling district. The Newberg Education Association, a union representing 280 educators and staff in the district, wrote in a statement that it is extremely disappointed over the decision from the conservative majority. The lawsuit was filed in August 2021 on behalf of four teachers and counselors: Jennifer Schneider, Andrew Gallagher, Katherine Villalobos and Sara Linnertz. Citizens are encouraged to express their ideas, concerns and judgments through communication with District staff and Board members. NEWBERG, Ore. Newberg School District board member Ines Pea has resigned her position. Related: Newberg school board officially approves policy banning political symbols. The board also voted Tuesday on whether to retain lawyer Tyler Smith, an outside attorney they initially hired at the end of August. Newberg, Oregon 97132. The ruling validates our claims and assertions, the NEA release said. The protest countered a new school policy that bans Black Lives Matter and Pride flags across Newberg School District facilities.Jozie Donaghey. "This feels so draconian this feels so anti-everything," one board member said. "Anti-free speech, anti-free expression, anti-safety.". In late September, the ban was amended following concerns about its legality after the ACLU threatened to sue the school board if it did not reconsider the policy. VIDEO:School board fires Newberg School District superintendent. 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. I tell people you can pretend to care but you cant pretend to show up. 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. You know exactly why," she said. The Oregonian cited Morelock's contract, which the newspaper obtained through a public records request. An Oregon school board on Tuesday voted to ban educators from displaying Pride flags, Black Lives Matter symbols or other emblems in the classroom that are considered political, quasi-political or controversial, despite pushback from teachers, lawmakers and residents. Newberg School Board recall election draws big voter turnout Find Your . Office hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday-Friday Building doors are locked at this time, please ring doorbell for entrance. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. What brought you out tonight to the protest? "I'm baffled why you feel this needed to be done and why you feel it needed to be done tonight," Piros said. 971-409-5792, Dave Brown Just remember that from the darkest dark, comes the brightest light. 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. 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. 503-888-6365, Brian Shannon [2] Portions are in Clackamas County and Washington County. Contacting a School Board Member Easterday granted a summary judgment in the case of teacher Chelsea Shotts vs. the district and the four conservative members of the board. Superintendent Joe Morelock said he will have to meet with the district's lawyers before enforcing the ban. But critics remain upset about what the adopted policy will mean for the school district. The judge ruled Thursday that a policy banning certain symbols displayed in schools is unconstitutional. This is not a functioning business meeting, Penner said. The policy bans employees from displaying controversial or political signs or symbols. The sign featured a rainbow, a heart, and the words "Be Known." A conservative majority now exists on the Board, after the local group "Save our Schools . Sign up to get important news and culture from around the Northwest, delivered to your inbox six days a week. 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.. 408-472-4257, RonRilee We are just destroying one another, Powell said. The district will likely need an interim superintendent as the school year continues. Emails point to fast decision to fire Morelock | kgw.com Sign up to get important news and culture from around the Northwest, delivered to your inbox six days a week. "It's over. 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. 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. Newberg School District - Wikipedia Director Zone 5 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. 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. Take action today! "This is going to set our district back decades. Removing Superintendent Morelock from his post is part of a troubling national trend of extremist school boards ousting experienced, valuable school leaders, which is detrimental to the students they are supposed to serve. In the matter of three months, four people have completely destroyed that.. Under the Public Records laws any record (e.g. Since the school board approved the policy in September 2021, tension and conflict has continued among school board members, district employees and those in the Newberg community. For Black boys, this isnt A Black man was dismembered. It is exclusive to this particular case, though, and doesnt apply to the other lawsuits that have been filed against the district and the school board, of which there are many. Take action today! 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.. 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. An Oregon school district voted Tuesday to ban Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ and other "political" signs, flags and articles of clothing from their campuses. 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. [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. Those in favor did not explain their decision. Its just common sense to me.. Cherice Boch (left) and her son Espen at a Newberg protest on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. The Snapchat group sometimes specifically targets Black students. Under his leadership, new contracts with our associations brought better pay to teachers and staff, more educational school days for our students, a stabilized financial situation with a safety net of over $9 million in the ending fund balance, and the passage of the largest Construction Bond in the history of Newberg Public Schools. There are seven school board members, each serving four-year terms. They will be losing resources out of their classrooms. 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. 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. The new dynamic has allowed the conservative board members to pass motions that the previous board neither permitted nor passed. It supports all the steps we have taken to fight the policy change. Wheres your sense of community?, If theres anyone out there hurting Im here for them, I love them and I see them., Ashley McGowan, a Newberg School District parent, says she came out to the protest because fighting for equal rights runs in her family. . Is Wakanda Forever too woke for Marvels own good? Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. The Newberg school board is seen meeting over Zoom on Nov. 9, 2021. This ban was the first big item on the newly conservative Boards agenda. We will be losing a leader who has pulled us out of financial ruin, who has rebuilt community, who has rebuilt relationships, she said. This page is not available in other languages. 971-385-2880, Tabitha Renne All meetings are open to the public, except for executive sessions as authorized by law. Dr. Morelock has worked tirelessly on behalf of our students and staff. Appointed in 2022 - Term expires 6/30/23 abruptly firing former Newberg superintendent Joe Morelock without cause, he board named as its next superintendent, Stephen Phillips. The Newberg School Board's choice to ban BLM and Pride flags came following a shift in the Boards composition. If we want to have these symbols and speak our minds we should be able to, silencing us isnt OK., I would tell them to think before you create action. On the day before Thanksgiving, as Newberg school district staff scrambled to fulfill other duties after the firing of superintendent Joe Morelock, Newberg School Board chair Dave Brown.
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