Board Briefs

board briefs

Agenda item details in the 9.24.24 meeting packet

Phillips placed on administrative leave pending investigation

The Newberg School District Board of Directors placed former Newberg Superintendent Stephen Phillips on paid administrative leave pending the results of an independent investigation. 

 

Bullying main reason for students leaving in 2023-24

An 21.5% loss of students over the last 11 years has triggered an enrollment study to understand Newberg’s dramatic enrollment decline. Declining enrollment adversely impacts revenue and staff.

Last school year, 207 families moved their 313 students to neighboring school districts, charter schools, private schools, or opted to homeschool. 

Retired administrator/volunteer Lesley Carsley contacted families to better understand the “why” behind pulling their children out of Newberg Schools. Parents told her their top reasons for leaving were:

  • Bullying
  • Mental Health and Special Education Needs
  • Academic Concerns
  • Political Climate and Cultural Tensions

What would it take to return their students to Newberg?  Increased academic rigor, improved school safety and discipline and stable and strong district leadership.  



Is “Hot Mess” giving way to positive changes?

What happens when you have five superintendents and five communication directors in a seven-year period?   The resulting upheaval may have been in the minds of respondents to the August 2024 district communications survey of 270 district staff and 571 parents. The survey is part of an audit of district communications systems to provide a clear picture of the district’s communication effectiveness with key audiences.

Communications volunteer Claudia Stewart told board members the majority of staff and parents say they lack knowledge about district finances, decisions that impact them and district goals or plans. Opportunities to provide input are limited.  Trust for school communications is high but drops for district communication, citing lack of transparency and mistrust of leadership actions.

In response, the district has prioritized honesty and transparency in all communications. Surveys, listening sessions, online feedback and meetings are increasing opportunities for input. Communication has been streamlined to be clear, concise, timely and reduce duplication. 

Recommendations moving forward stress the need to rebuild trust in the school district including:

  • Continue honest, transparent communication
  • Listen and provide opportunities for staff and parent input
  • Maintain timely, clear, concise communication that treat all staff equitably
  • Measure staff and parent satisfaction regarding district communication on an ongoing basis.

Interim Superintendent search narrows to three candidates

The School Board’s Personnel Committee received and screened nine applications for the Interim Superintendent position, commenting that they are pleased with the number and quality of applicants. The aggressive hiring schedule calls for candidate interviews next week. Staff and community forums, originally scheduled for this week, were canceled to maintain candidate confidentiality. The Board anticipates hiring an Interim Superintendent at the October 8, 2024 regular meeting of the Board of Directors with the Interim Superintendent beginning work October 14.


Roofing, HVAC top the list for unspent bond dollars

There are millions of dollars in potential school repairs and upgrades on the list of projects that will vie for an estimated $3,745,043 in unspent bond funds. It’s not a glamorous list: roofing, HVAC repairs, exterior painting and sealing, flooring in most every district building. Staff and administrators are continuing to submit additional requests.

 The superintendent will recommend a prioritized list of projects based on the ballot title citizens voted on in 2020: health, safety and security improvements, upgrades and updates to buildings and improved or expanded learning spaces. The Board’s Facilities Committee and members of the Citizen Bond Oversight Committee will meet to prioritize projects and make recommendations to the Board of Directors. 

The School Board took action on:

  • Expanding the number of community members serving on the Finance Advisory Committee three to six members given the quality and expertise of applicants.

  • Added Dominic Tomaselli (CEO) and Cade Waters (CFO) as check signers for student-run Tiger Manufacturing, replacing Madison Lenz as a check signer.

  • Approved a Conciliation Agreement between Rebecca Piros and Newberg School District 29J that addresses discriminatory action by the previous Newberg School Board toward Ms. Piros in 2021-2022. The Oregon Department of Education found that the Newberg Board may have violated ORS 659.850 and OAR 581-021-0045 and has encouraged parties to reach agreement through conciliation.

  • Voted to rescind a resolution authorizing Director James Wolfer to serve as real estate signee for the Newberg School District as it relates to the sale of old Dundee Elementary School. The original action was to provide authority during the transition to a new interim superintendent and is no longer necessary.