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 the subject of controversy for months, with a ban on political signs and the firing the school superintendent.
Ines Pea was on the school board from 2017 and announced her resignation at a board meeting Tuesday night.
“I’m stepping down from my role on the Newberg School Board,” Pea said.
Pea wore both a Pride pin and a Black Lives Matter Pin, so it was clear where she stood on the issues that have shaken her 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 not able to 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. I am 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 being capable of identifying abuse. I know from personal experience that abuse is a real thing. I will not continue to contribute to the harm done our community. Instead, I will continue passionately advocating for the equitable education our students deserve.”
Pea was on the Newberg School Board for just over three years. 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 has not been officially decided, it appears that Shannon and Brown will keep their seats.
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