newberg school board decision

"My child is LGBTQ and so now I'm out here fighting for their rights and their voice. The board will later decide what counts as "political," but Pride flags and BLM messages were repeatedly referenced during the meeting. Climate Conference in Glasgow, connecting Newberg with trouble and conflict facing school boards across the country. Controversial School Board Decision Continues to Divide Newberg 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. 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. Board member. 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. The protest countered a new school policy that bans Black Lives Matter and Pride flags across Newberg School District facilities.Jozie Donaghey. Director Zone 1 Gov. Newberg School District 29J In Newberg, four of the seven board members voted to fire Morelock, who was under contract through June 2024. Oregon's Newberg School Board bans Pride, Black Lives Matter symbols in The move elicited suspicion by the three minority members of the . PORTLAND, Ore. ( Pamplin Media Group) The union that represents the nearly 300 teachers in the Newberg School District is heralding a settlement in a lawsuit that claimed the school. Zone Name Term Ends 1 Trevor DeHart 2025 2 Shelley Kolb 2023 3 Ron Rilee 2023 4 Raquel Peregrino de . The Newberg School Board's choice to ban BLM and Pride flags came following a shift in the Board's composition. "I feel like this is the nail in the coffin as far as her desire to stay and keep making change here," she said. Contacting a School Board Member Thats not their place, Shannon said. Newberg Public Schools Board of Directors / YouTube. Screenshot taken from YouTube. Former board member Ines Pea resigned several months ago, alleging that she faced a toxic work environment on the board. 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. "This feels so draconian this feels so anti-everything," one board member said. 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 . 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. Defendants and their agents acted under color or authority of state law, the lawsuit continued. So why would they do that? The conditions of his hiring are the basis of a lawsuit against the school board, according to the Newberg Graphic. We could have upheld the Newberg traditions of the past and collaborated together as a united team.. The remaining board members have been involved in multiple lawsuits. Two of those board members were elected this past May. 503-887-6447, Raquel Peregrino de Brito Newberg school board votes to fire superintendent, no cause given. Board members Brandy Penner and Rebecca Piros, both in the boards three-member minority, said the sign was not political, especially coming from George Fox, a private Christian university in Newberg. 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. Board vacancies are filled through appointments made by a majority vote of the remaining board members, according to district policy. But the motion to adjourn the meeting was voted down, 4-3, with Brown, Shannon, Powell and DeHart voting to move forward. "Know that your integrity has spurred us to be faithful servers to our children and we wish you well. And those are my kids. 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. Emails show Newberg school board chair rushing decision on interim "Jozie Donaghey, Ashley McGowan, Newberg School District parent. 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. Other lawsuits abruptly firing former Newberg superintendent Joe Morelock without cause, he board named as its next superintendent, Stephen Phillips. No final order has been made. 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 . 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. This is a tough one, Im not going to lie.. 'Silencing us isn't OK:' Newberg residents protest school board ban on Take action today! Dr. Morelock has worked tirelessly on behalf of our students and staff. Board chair Dave Brown did not reply to a request for comment. 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. I dont serve Black people, an attendant told her. 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. Newberg school board hires new superintendent with past - opb The NEA said the boards decision to ban political symbols was unwarranted and ill-conceived, hence the settlement. Neither the school board nor Newberg Public Schools Superintendent Joe Morelock immediately responded to requests for comment early Wednesday. 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. If youre shopping for a new purse, check out these luxurious bags that look quite high-end, but cost less than $100. 408-472-4257, RonRilee The lawsuit named the school district as well as Brown, Shannon, Powell and DeHart as defendants. With their continued attack on symbols of support for Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ pride, the school board is on a dangerous and harmful path. Regular business meetings are currently scheduled for the second Tuesday with work sessions being held on the fourth Tuesday. Board Vice-Chair, Director Zone 7 IE 11 is not supported. 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. By banning these symbols theyre saying were not accepted here.Jozie Donaghey, I came out tonight because I didnt agree with the school boards decision and didnt think they listened to enough student voices, so Im here exercising my right to protest for representation we deserve., You know, they mentioned a lot that putting these flags in classrooms would make people uncomfortable, but I think they should look at the other side of that tooby banning the flags, theyre saying were not accepted here. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. I went to NHS and graduated in 2015 and I knew I was gay but didnt have the support to say anything then. NEWBERG SCHOOL DISTRICT|714 E. 6TH ST. NEWBERG, OREGON 97132|(503) 554-5000. Morelock has been the superintendent of Newberg School District since July 2018. And Im just very disappointed in this decision., Thanks Rebecca, Morelock told her. Is Wakanda Forever too woke for Marvels own good? rennet@newberg.k12.or.us. ", Penner said the move to fire Morelock would have "rippling effects for months and years to come. 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 resolution outlining the no-cause firing was not included in the board packet for Tuesday's meeting. [7] This ban ended in 2023. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. All meetings are open to the public, except for executive sessions as authorized by law. 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 policy bans employees from displaying controversial or political signs or symbols. On Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon, who is the Chair of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, released the following statement about the firing of Morelock: The action of the Newberg School Board in firing Superintendent Joe Morelock is wrong for students, wrong for educators, and wrong for the Newberg community. This Oregon school-related article is a stub. The case, filed by the ACLU of Oregon on behalf of Newberg school employee Chelsea Shotts in December 2021, challenges a policy approved by the school board last year. 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.". Morelocks employment ends in 10 days, and the next school board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 23. 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. It's done, Rebecca," he said. 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. What brought you out tonight to the protest? This has been the shadiest, shadiest process ever and unfortunately, it is our children who will have to pay for this. PORTLAND, Ore. (Pamplin Media Group) The union that represents the nearly 300 teachers in the Newberg School District is heralding a settlement in a lawsuit that claimed the school boards 2021 ban on BLM, Pride and other political symbols in classrooms was unconstitutional. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. We're going to lose so much from this action. 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. Piros concluded the meeting by addressing Morelock. 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. Be a part of it! He was hired as the permanent Superintendent beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. A simple pride or BLM flag in a classroom shows the love and acceptance that we need, Till said. "Dr. Morelock, we know you and we trust you and this pains us terribly," she said. 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. Newberg School Board voted 4 to 3 on November 9 to remove Dr. Joe Morelock as superintendent without cause. Newberg teachers union sues district over BLM, Pride flag ban 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.

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