This is an after-party of four members, so I say lets just vote get it over with. She added, Its going to be our community, staff and students who are left to fight this.. NEWBERG, Ore. A bitterly divided Newberg school board, which has been enveloped in controversy for the past few months over its decision to pass a policy limiting the kinds of images or signs school employees can display on campus, voted to fire Superintendent Joe Morelock near the conclusion of a late-night board meeting Tuesday. The board voted to adjourn the meeting, but not before Piros addressed Morelock. I went to NHS and graduated in 2015 and I knew I was gay but didnt have the support to say anything then. It protects marginalized populations in our student and staff bodies. Penner and Piros said the packet outlining the resolution to fire Morelock was not provided to board members until the executive meeting, hours before the board meeting, and so there was insufficient time to review the motion. Our educators are united in their goal to create classrooms where students can walk in and feel like they belong.. The lawsuit further argued that prohibiting teachers from displaying signs in their classrooms was a violation of their rights of free speech and free association guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. These symbols arent hurting anyone and I dont see why banning them is necessary., Siblings Charlie (left) and Sophia Gates attended to protest because as Black students they say their voices are being silenced. Board Member Piros, one of the dissenting members regarding the ban, offered an avenue to discuss the issue further by creating a team of six faculty and two staff members, as opposed to simply adopting more general language. 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. [1], It is mostly in Yamhill County, where it serves the cities of Newberg and Dundee. NEWBERG SCHOOL DISTRICT|714 E. 6TH ST. NEWBERG, OREGON 97132|(503) 554-5000. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Newberg school board recall: Brown, Shannon leads widening as votes Gov. "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. Board Chair, Director Zone 6 Renee Powell, one of the conservative members on the school board, said that the policy would improve the lives of students. For the kids that cant say anything now, I wanted to be that voice for them. NEWBERG, Ore. A bitterly divided Newberg school board, which has been enveloped in controversy for the past few months over its decision to pass a policy limiting the kinds of images or signs . 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. 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. [7] This ban ended in 2023. It's a huge hit to our school district," she said. Campaign issues ad to recall Newberg schools' Dave Brown Former board member Ines Pea resigned several months ago, alleging that she faced a toxic work environment on the board. Ashley Pea, a Newberg student, said she came to the protest because the school board didn't listen to enough students before making their decision on Aug. 10. 30 minutes have been allotted for public comments, with a two-minute limit per person. If you could say something to the school board members making these decisions, what would you say? 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 ACLU celebrated the ruling in a tweet Thursday, saying they await the courts final order. Why dont they? A staff member at Mabel Rush Elementary School, identified as Lauren Pefferle, showed up to work this month dressed as Rosa Parks with her face darkened with dye to protest a vaccination mandate for all public school employees in Oregon. Everything will work out eventually OK," he said. "This is going to set our district back decades. School board zone map and written descriptions are available online: https://bit.ly/3MULBka For questions contact Tabitha Renne at 503-554-5041. 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. I wanna ask why? Newberg schools' ban on certain symbols violates Oregon Constitution The ban was passed in early August, and garnered a great deal of opposition from other board members, community members, and the state at-large. She said her daughter, who is Black, asks almost every day about other options for her education. Sign up to get important news and culture from around the Northwest, delivered to your inbox six days a week. Both the school principal and Morelock dismissed the complaint, saying the sign and its message are not political, quasi-political, or controversial. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Brown, the board chair, seemed unaware of the details of the complaint, despite its inclusion in the board packet. Director Zone 4 After hearing from a fraction of community members who have opinions on the subject, the Newberg Public Schools board voted 4-3 to keep any sort of political signage out of schools. They cant discipline her or them for putting up a poster in violation of the policy.. On behalf of Dr. Morelock and the work he has begun, we will continue to fight for safe, stable learning environments for our students. The Wednesday protest failed to prevent the Board from adopting a more general, legalese-styled ban, as it more broadly bans political, or controversial materials, rather than the BLM or Pride flags specifically. Schneider and other members who oppose the ban believe the flags provide a source of safety and security to underrepresented and vulnerable students. But the board voted, again 4 to 3, to keep paying the attorney. The union claims that the district policy violates state and federal constitution. Example video title will go here for this video. We will be losing a leader who has pulled us out of financial ruin, who has rebuilt community, who has rebuilt relationships, she said. In a statement shared Thursday, the Oregon legislatures Black, Indigenous, People of Color Caucus said the boards decisions threaten Newbergs economic vitality. The group also said it will take action in the next legislative session. Newberg educators support Dr. Morelock and the 3 board members who tried their best to stop this atrocity. ", 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. Is Wakanda Forever too woke for Marvels own good? She said her family was heartbroken when they heard that Morelock had been fired. A resident of Dundee submitted the complaint Sept. 30, saying the sign amounted to a gay pride poster and should be removed immediately. This is a tough one, Im not going to lie.. Director Zone 1 Directors say they need more information before choosing; next round of interviews set for May 5. Some board members seemed confused about what executive session business would become public. Newberg school board members appear to defeat recall by tight - opb "Know that your integrity has spurred us to be faithful servers to our children and we wish you well. Numerous school and district administrators also have resigned from the district. 'Silencing us isn't OK:' Newberg residents protest school board ban on Pender said when Morelock was hired, she felt like there was hope for the first time that the school district was headed in a better direction. He has been key in the transformation of a struggling district. 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. 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. Their place is to teach the approved curriculum, and thats all this policy does, is ensure thats happening in our schools.. 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. That means the board cant enforce the policy against Shotts or, for that matter, anyone else. 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. Following the vote, Piros spoke again, addressing the four board members who voted to fire Morelock. Appointed in 2022 - Term expires 6/30/23 At least one student at Newberg High School has been linked to a Snapchat group called Slave Trade, the Graphic reported, where teenagers nationwide share racist, homophobic and violent messages. NEWBERG SCHOOL DISTRICT | 714 E. 6TH ST. NEWBERG, OREGON 97132 | (503) 554-5000. 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. 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. This ban was the first big item on the newly conservative Boards agenda. 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. "That was her first reaction, grief," Pender said. Comments will be read in the order they are received. The apparel rule would only apply to staff while they are working. Responding to Morelocks termination, Oregon House Democrats said theyll take action on Newberg in the next legislative session. Joe Morelock last November, two board members faced recall elections in January, and since last year, dozens of staff members have resigned from the district, including several district administrators and principals from six of the districts 10 schools. Its clear their personal politics are stronger than any real desire to come together as a school community, the group said on Facebook. Love is love, everybody has the right to choose. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Dr. Morelock has worked tirelessly on behalf of our students and staff.

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