newberg school board decision

Cherice Boch (left) and her son Espen at a Newberg protest on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. Newbergs board isnt the first in Oregon to terminate its superintendent this year. Morelock had been superintendent for two years and was under contract through June. 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. We cannot let this group of 4 impose their own political agenda, erode our rights, and strip our support of our students. I believe we should be able to express how we feel about certain topics without judgement from the school district. 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. And the packet that we just received a couple of hours ago, while we were in a meeting, is certainly not sufficient time for me to review it and understand it.. Protesters gathered at the city flagpole on South River Street in Newberg to speak out against the school boards decision, which passed after the board heard less than half of public comments during the virtual session. "He had a very personal approach and didn't just sit in his office and make decisions arbitrarily. Newberg school board member resigns | kgw.com Boothby says she organized the protest because when she attended Newberg High School she didnt always feel welcome as a gay student. Our educators are united in their goal to create classrooms where students can walk in and feel like they belong.. A conservative majority now exists on the Board, after the local group Save our Schools backed two successful bids for spots on the Board. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Its just such a bold statement to make, said Sophia. He was hired as the permanent Superintendent beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. Newberg School District (29J) is a public school district headquartered in Newberg in the U.S. state of Oregon. "It's over. 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. Latino leaders could collaborate with Black communities. 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 lawsuit requested a jury trial, sought an injunction stopping enforcement of the boards directive and asked for a declaratory judgement from the bench admonishing the board for their actions. The board voted to adjourn the meeting, but not before Piros addressed Morelock. It wasnt until the meeting started, more than a half hour past the original 7 p.m. start time, that board chair Dave Brown added an agenda item to discuss the superintendent. 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. 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. If you want to plan the perfect spring picnic, food and drink are important, but its certainly not the only factor to consider. 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. If you looked at the agenda for Tuesdays Newberg school board meeting, youd have no idea the board was planning to fire Superintendent Joe Morelock. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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.. NEWBERG SCHOOL DISTRICT | 714 E. 6TH ST. NEWBERG, OREGON 97132 | (503) 554-5000. They knew or should have known that their actions were unlawful under both the Oregon and federal constitutions., The lawsuit also alleged that the school board violated teachers 14th Amendment rights to due process and equal protection by adopting a directive that is vague and overbroad in its scope, leaving association members without guidance as to what speech is prohibited and potentially a violation of district policy leading to potential discipline by the district and/or or their licensing through the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.. 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. Heres what that means. There has been insufficient public comments, input, notification, and it is 10:30 at night on a school night, Penner said. But Brown added two new items, including one about Morelock. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. Under new business, we are discussing the superintendent, said board chair Dave Brown. Sept. 23, 2022 9:50 a.m. Screenshot taken from YouTube. Because they're cowards and they know they're going to get sued. 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. Elected in 2019 - Term expires 6/30/23 Find Your . This article was published more than1 year ago. The Newberg School Board's choice to ban BLM and Pride flags came following a shift in the Board's composition. The dissenting board members said the move to fire Morelock, coupled with litigation over the controversial political symbols ban, could have a grave financial impact on the district. 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. To understand what theyre going through right now is so important, said Hetrick.Jozie Donaghey, Holly Hetrick, parent and childrens counselor, This is a no-brainer. Morelock determined it was a slogan for George Fox University and not a political symbol. The board voted to table that item during Tuesday's meeting. School board director and vice chair Brian Shannon, who voted for the measure and added the language about apparel, said the "main goal of this is to get political symbols and divisive symbols out of our schools so we can focus on the already difficult task of educating our students in the core subjects.". Amanda Boothby, a 2015 Newberg High School graduate, organized Tuesdays demonstration. 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. A conservative majority now exists on the Board, after the local group "Save our Schools . The. 'Silencing us isn't OK:' Newberg residents protest school board ban on We're so sorry. The complainant appealed the decision. They think this quality will be hindered by the presence of ideological symbols. The board also voted Tuesday on whether to retain lawyer Tyler Smith, an outside attorney they initially hired at the end of August. I always tell people you can pretend to care but you cant pretend to show up, said Herrera. Those in favor did not explain their decision. The employee was terminated from her position. The vote came after a charged conversation in which three board members strongly objected to the resolution to fire Morelock. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Related: Newberg school board officially approves policy banning political symbols. Those protesting or . We are just destroying one another, Powell said. With that, the board turned to their actual conversation about Morelock. 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). I tell people you can pretend to care but you cant pretend to show up. Two of those board members were elected this past May. Smith, the lawyer, continued his involvement in the board meeting, directing Brown of the language to use in moving to terminate Morelocks employment. Trevor DeHart The Newberg school board is seen meeting over Zoom on Nov. 9, 2021. Mailing Address for the Board Four members of the school board voted to fire Supt. But critics remain upset about what the adopted policy will mean for the school district. School board zone map and written descriptions are available online: For questions contact Tabitha Renne at 503-554-5041. School Board Meetings There is no point in a federal judge striking down something that a state judge already had.. Whether heading on a camping trip, putting up guests or creating more sleeping space for a kids slumber party, air mattresses are useful to have. How could you do that to someone else? Mailing Address for the Board Board of Directors Newberg School District 29J 714 East 6th St Newberg, Oregon 97132 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. 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. This was the argument voiced by those who arrived on Oct. 1 not associated with Newberg Rejects White Supremacy Rally. 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. Board of Directors Newberg, Oregon 97132. I am proudly defiant of this boards illegal and immoral actions.. The school board and district are already the target of a lawsuit filed earlier this month by the Newberg Education Association. Pefferle was fired over the blackface incident, according to the Newberg Graphic. She said her daughter cried when she told her. 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. Board member Brandy Penner said she had endured an abusive and disrespectful work environment on the board, and said the board had violated public meeting laws. 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. 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 have no idea, financially, how our school district will recover from this. 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. 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. In the matter of three months, four people have completely destroyed that.. The school board initially voted on Aug. 10 to ban those specific symbols in the classroom. 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. [1], It is mostly in Yamhill County, where it serves the cities of Newberg and Dundee.

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