By Marilyn Deutsch
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NEWBERG, Oregon (KPHO) — 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 and Black Lives Matter pin to show that she was clear about her position on the issues facing the school district.
Newberg Public Schools has seen a clash of conservative and liberal values over the last 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, with some students protesting the ban.
The conservative majority then voted without cause to fire Joe Morelock, the school superintendent.
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. What I have witnessed, and what I know others have, is abuse. I will no longer contribute to the destruction done to 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. It is now up to the board who will replace 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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