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. 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. Appointed in 2022 - Term expires 6/30/23 Smith, the lawyer, continued his involvement in the board meeting, directing Brown of the language to use in moving to terminate Morelocks employment. Other lawsuits Newberg Public Schools Board of Directors / YouTube. The two agenda items were pushed to a meeting later in August. 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. The school boards symbols policy also drew sharp comments from the Oregon State Board of Education, Oregon House Democrats, and the Oregon School Boards Association. 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. Regular business meetings are currently scheduled for the second Tuesday with work sessions being held on the fourth Tuesday. (If you do NOT receive a confirmation receipt for your public comment request, please reach out to Tabitha directly at 503.554.5041). 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,. This is not a functioning business meeting, Penner said. Director Zone 3 In a first, House Democrats elected a Black leader. They will be losing resources out of their classrooms. These counter-protesters noted they simply wanted to voice their support for the ban. My mom, in the 50s and 60s, fought for Black rights. Two board members resigned from the board this week citing this and other recent moves by the board.Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian. Cherice Boch (left) and her son Espen at a Newberg protest on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. "I have no idea, financially, how our school district will recover from this. This article was published more than1 year ago. It's a huge hit to our school district," she said. 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. 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. 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. Just remember that from the darkest dark, comes the brightest light. ", Penner said the move to fire Morelock would have "rippling effects for months and years to come. Public comments are scheduled for regular session board meetings only. Before the resolution was brought forward, Penner, Piros and Pena attempted to stop it and adjourn the meeting. Board vice chair Brian Shannon, who created the initial wording of the political symbols ban, called it the grayest of gray areas. But Brown added two new items, including one about Morelock. 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. At the time the complaint was filed, Shotts said both she, as a queer staff member, and students should be safe and supported. 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. 503-554-5041 Yale honors Black girl who was reported to police as she sprayed lanternfli Tyre Nichols videos join patchwork of violent police footage. But the board voted, again 4 to 3, to keep paying the attorney. 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.. 971-409-5792, Dave Brown Be a part of it! Sept. 23, 2022 9:50 a.m. "He made sure he was in schools every week with kids interacting," she said. That means the board cant enforce the policy against Shotts or, for that matter, anyone else. Love is love, everybody has the right to choose. 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. Elected in May 2021 - Term expires 6/30/25 The school board voted to ban Black Lives Matter and pride flags. The lawsuit, first filed in Yamhill County Circuit Court by the Portland law firm Bennett Hartman, was advanced to U.S. District Court in Portland in December 2021 as a civil rights case. Board vacancies are filled through appointments made by a majority vote of the remaining board members, according to district policy. The policy limiting the kinds of images or signs school employees can display on campus originally began as a ban passed by the school board in August of LGBTQIA+ and Black Lives Matters flags. Morelock determined it was a slogan for George Fox University and not a political symbol. A conservative majority now exists on the Board, after the local group "Save our Schools . 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 judge ruled Thursday that a policy banning certain symbols displayed in schools is unconstitutional. The school board initially voted on Aug. 10 to ban those specific symbols in the classroom. About 100 people turned out to protest the Newberg school board's decision to ban Pride and Black Lives Matter symbols. Newberg School District 29J A simple pride or BLM flag in a classroom shows the love and acceptance that we need, Till said. The Newberg School Board is responsible for providing a quality educational program for about 5,000 District students. The complainant appealed the decision. 503-888-6365, Brian Shannon I tell people you can pretend to care but you cant pretend to show up. We are just destroying one another, Powell said. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The board will later decide what counts as "political," but Pride flags and BLM messages were repeatedly referenced during the meeting. This is a tough one, Im not going to lie.. 408-472-4257, RonRilee With that, the board turned to their actual conversation about Morelock. Newberg school board officially approves policy banning political symbols, Newberg teachers sue district, school board members over political image ban in schools, Newberg school employee goes to work in blackface, is put on leave. Meetings and Agendas Policies Programs and Services Student Success Act School Board Internal Staff Directory Strategic Plan Superintendent; Schools Welcome to our schools. He referred to a packet given to board members in executive session, but not shared publicly, that had to do with Morelock. Amanda Boothby, a 2015 Newberg High School graduate, organized Tuesdays demonstration. Electedin 2019 We're so sorry. When the conservative majority of the Newberg school board voted in early November to oust the district's superintendent, board chairman Dave Brown advocated for an accelerated process to name Joe Morelock's successor by January. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Our human rights arent political, period. 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 material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Take action today! All rights reserved (About Us). The Oregonian cited Morelock's contract, which the newspaper obtained through a public records request. The Newberg School Board's choice to ban BLM and Pride flags came following a shift in the Boards composition. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Board Vice-Chair, Director Zone 7 Neither the school board nor Newberg Public Schools Superintendent Joe Morelock immediately responded to requests for comment early Wednesday. We wish you well, were so sorry, she said. Dr. Morelock has worked tirelessly on behalf of our students and staff. 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.". The Board hires the superintendent, who is responsible to carry out Board policies, provide educational leadership and manage the District's budget and staff. Board member. On Wednesday morning, KGW spoke to Heidi Pender, whose daughter is a freshman at Newberg High School. 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. 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. In August the Newberg school board voted to ban pride and Black Lives Matter, and any broadly political signs, clothing, and other items. OPBs critical reporting and inspiring programs are made possible by the power of member support. The Yamhill County Circuit Court has made a decision in a case filed last year by a Newberg teacher against the school district and four members of the school board. The Newberg School Board usually meets at 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Brown, Shannon, Powell and DeHart, the school board members who voted for the policy, were named in a lawsuit on Nov. 3 levied against the Newberg School District and the four board members by the Newberg Education Association. What brought you out tonight to the protest? Controversy in Newberg persists after the recent Newberg School Board decision to ban both Black Lives Matter (BLM) flags, and Pride flags. Board of Directors Superintendents for Greater Albany Public Schools, Adrian School District School, and Woodburn have all been removed this year, for varying reasons. 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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. We cannot let this group of 4 impose their own political agenda, erode our rights, and strip our support of our students. So, not not removing Pride and BLM or any other group of people that wants to demonstrate acceptance, pride and support, none of that was harmful before. 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. Director Zone 5 Board . 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. 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. Easterday granted a summary judgment in the case of teacher Chelsea Shotts vs. the district and the four conservative members of the board. Morelock had been superintendent for two years and was under contract through June. 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 ruling validates our claims and assertions, the NEA release said. Appointed in 2022 -Term expires 6/30/23 "Our children should not bear the brunt end of partisan politics meant to further divide. Some board members seemed confused about what executive session business would become public. They should be able to wear their shirts and signs that say Black Lives Matter and Asian Lives Matter and whatever else. Symbols of hate and symbols of love do not go together, and they never shouldve been lumped together in the first place., Ashley Pea, a Newberg student, said she came to the protest because the school board didnt listen to enough students before making their decision on Aug. 10. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. This ban was the first big item on the newly conservative Boards agenda. 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. In the matter of three months, four people have completely destroyed that.. As a publicly elected official, mother, and human, I will not break the law or engage in open and hostile discrimination, she said. In September 2022 Yamhill County Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Easterday struck down the Newberg school boards 2021 ban on political signs, declaring it a violation of the state constitutions guarantees of free speech. 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. The Newberg School Board has rescinded a controversial policy that banned staff from putting up political signs or displays in schools. DISCLAIMER for All Communications with District Staff and Board Members: The Board believes that community participation in school affairs is essential if the school district and the community are to maintain mutual confidence and respect and work together to improve the quality of education for students. Board chair Dave Brown did not reply to a request for comment. 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. The NEA said the boards decision to ban political symbols was unwarranted and ill-conceived, hence the settlement. Its just common sense to me.. "Anti-free speech, anti-free expression, anti-safety. 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. No, Brown replied. Screenshot taken from YouTube. 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. 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. Today we are here because the School Board has to right a wrongthey must repeal this bad policythey must do it tonight. These strong words were amplified through a bullhorn by Newberg Teachers Union president Jen Schnieder. She announced her decision at a board meeting Tuesday night, citing a "toxic work environment." And I feel like thats not being heard. Penner said the decision will set the district back several years. Why dont they? Tue, January 18th 2022, 2:18 PM PST. When I was there these symbols were allowed, so to see it come to this is really disappointing. Why did you organize it? 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. They gathered at 4:15pm on Sept. 29 at the Newberg city centers flagpole where, fittingly, the citys major highway splits. The conditions of his hiring are the basis of a lawsuit against the school board, according to the Newberg Graphic. Contacting a School Board Member Sign up to get important news and culture from around the Northwest, delivered to your inbox six days a week. 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. 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. Defendants and their agents acted under color or authority of state law, the lawsuit continued. A White man was scared to death of Ralph Yarl. The board also voted Tuesday on whether to retain lawyer Tyler Smith, an outside attorney they initially hired at the end of August.
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