After months of turmoil in Newberg School District, Latina member has decided to leave.
Newberg’s school board has been hit with yet another blow.
Director Ines Peña, one of the three minority school board members on the Newberg School District’s seven-member board, resigned from her post during the school board’s Feb. 8 meeting.
In a statement, first read in Spanish and then translated into English, Peña cited the school board’s “toxic work environment,” the “emotional and psychological abuse” she endured while on the board and the need to prioritize her well-being as the primary reasons for her resignation.
“When I ran for school board back in 2017, I ran because I wanted to see people of color and people of immigrant families in decision-making bodies,” Peña said in the opening of her statement, along with Gandhi’s famous quote, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’
“Though I lost that election, I knew I didn’t actually lose,” Peña continued. “I put myself out there, and people knew that a Latina had ran for local office.”
Over the past few months, controversy has plagued Newberg School District. Numerous prominent staff members quit, and the district made national news when a new conservative majority was elected to the board. The new rules govern how political flags (including Black Lives Matter imagery and gay pride imagery) can be displayed in schools.
Peña went on to discuss the difficulties she faced in the position since filling a director vacancy in 2019.
“This was by no means an easy decision, but it is the right decision for me,” Peña said. “It was worth it. I am worthy of leaving this toxic work environment. I will not accept the emotional and psychological abuse.”
She stated that she will continue to advocate for the equitable educations her students deserve through other means.
“Our students deserve to be seen, heard and amplified,” Peña said. “Today I reaffirm and renew my commitment to students. Students, you have demonstrated to me that kids are more accepting and better than adults. Although it may sound cliché, don’t let that stop you from believing.
Peña thanked many people, including teachers, staff and administrators “who continued to show up and stand up for students” and business owners who “made a statement supporting students” despite the risk to their businesses.
She also thanked her acupuncturist, therapist as well as fellow board members Brandy Penner & Rebecca Piros.
Peña thanked the conservative majority, as well, telling board Chair Dave Brown, Vice Chair Brian Shannon, board members Renee Powell and Trevor DeHart that she “learned to believe that actions are more important than words” and that they “pushed me to a limit I had never reached before.”
“Now I embrace my power, I honor my existence,” Peña said, adding that she will “continue to live more authentically, regardless of others’ opinions” and “lead by example and show that a good leader knows when to step down to prioritize health.”
Peña had one request for Brown, Shannon, Powell and DeHart, whose “fundamental values” differed from hers.
“If there’s even one drop of respect for me, I ask that you don’t comment on my resignation,” Peña said. “Spare yourself from the embarrassment that comes with continuing to lie in order to be ‘Newberg Nice.
Peña ended her statement with a commitment to the “fight” and a quote from former professional football player Trent Shelton, which says: “We are all a little broken, but last time I checked, broken crayons still color the same.”
“Let’s keep coloring our Newberg unapologetically with all of our hues, shades, tints and tones,” Peña said. “Gracias,” Pena said.
Brown, the chair of the school board, was the only member of the conservative majority who commented on Peña’s resignation.
“Well, Director Peña, thank you very much for explaining all that and I appreciate all the work you have done for the school board,” he said, later adding, “Thank you for all your service.”
At the end of the meeting, Brown encouraged board members to “write a note” to Peña to thank her for her service.
Brown stated, “Again, she is very much appreciated for the effort she put in.” “We all know it’s a lot of work and you don’t get of credit, you get a lot of hassle, so thanks again to director Peña for being part of the board.”
In response to Peña’s resignation, Piros, who has served on the school board since 2018, said she “appreciated working with” Peña, adding that she “brought a youthfulness and a different perspective that have never been aware of before” and gave representation Newberg’s Hispanic and Latino students, which make up more than 20% of the student body.
Piros said that “She was fierce in advocating on behalf of all students, so I’m sorry she’s gone,” but “I can understand that she needs to take good care of herself and I respect this.”
She stated that she hopes “youthful and diverse candidates” will run for school board seats “because we need to hear all voices and need to have someone closer to the graduation date than our current population.”
Penner, who has served on the board since 2017, said that out of all the recent resignations in the district, Peña’s is the hardest one on her.
Penner stated, “In our time serving as board members, you have brought a perspective never before heard.” “As a young woman, an alumni from Newberg schools, and as a Latinx female, you have raised student voice, representation, and participation in areas of our community, which far too often go unnoticed or unheard.”
Penner went on to call Peña a “shining example of what a Newberg graduate should be” and expressed gratitude for her dedication and repeated sacrifice “to ensure thorough representation of our community.”
Penner stated, “It was an absolute pleasure serving with you and learning from you.” “I know I can count on you to remind me that leaders must consider other perspectives, experiences, and challenges.”
Describing Peña as “fiercely compassionate, brilliant and a loyal friend,” Penner said that she is “certain this is not the end of your advocacy and I am eager to see what you accomplish next.”
Penner said, “This isn’t a goodbye. It’s until next year, but I know that you will continue to create change, and build a better planet.”
High school student representatives Maddi Klink and Rowan Meyers both weighed in on Peña’s resignation, as well.
Klink thanked Peña for “being really welcoming to both Rowan and I when we joined,” while Myers said “you’re an inspiration to our town and your perspective will be very missed at all our future meetings.”
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