By Marilyn Deutsch
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NEWBERG, Oregon (KPTV) — The first and only Latina member of the school board for Newberg Public Schools has resigned, citing a “toxic work environment.”
Newberg Public Schools has been in turmoil for months now. There have been bans on political signs, and the firing of the school director.
Ines Pea, who has been a member of the school board since 2017, resigned during Tuesday’s board meeting.
“I’m stepping down from my role on the Newberg School Board,” Pea said.
Pea wore both a Pride and Black Lives Matter pin to show that she was clear about her position on the issues facing the school district.
In Newberg Public Schools, a battle between conservative and liberal values has played out over the past year. First, the majority – four members, of the school board voted to ban school staff from displaying political signs in schools. Pea was the minority vote.
Protests followed the ban. Some in the community said that the signs were harmful to students of color and LGBTQ+ at Newberg.
The conservative majority voted late last year to fire Joe Morelock as school superintendent without cause.
In resignation, made in Spanish and English, Pea called her work environment “toxic.”
“This was by no means an easy decision, but it is the right decision for me. It was worth it. I deserve to be free from this toxic work environment. I will no longer tolerate the emotional, and psychological abuse,” Pea said in a Facebook post. “To clarify, I don’t use the word ‘abuse’ lightly. Our board training includes the ability to recognize abuse. I know from personal experience that abuse is a real thing. I will not participate in the destruction done to our community. Instead, I will continue passionately advocating for the equitable education our students deserve.”
Pea served just more than three years on Newberg School Board. The Newberg School Board will now decide who replaces Pea.
Two board members – Chairman Dave Brown and Vice Chair Brian Shannon – were subject to a recall election last month. Although the recall is not yet finalized, it seems that Shannon and Brown will remain in their seats.
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