Although school board elections are only a few months away, your actions right now can help to assure that the Newberg School District gets back on track. The issues in our district—and with our school board—might seem overwhelming. Working together and taking these simple steps will help assure a brighter future for our community.
Follow candidates on social media and advocate for their platforms. Their social media also has links to candidate websites with more information on their platforms.
Finding ways to advocate for these candidates will give them and their student-first platforms added visibility, assuring that the current school board will not remain in power.
Contribute to their campaigns. Political campaigns, even for local, non-partisan elections, cost money. Some school board members were elected through a windfall of election money from political groups that have little interest in Newberg or its programs. Every small contribution to a candidate can provide a counterbalance to this outside money.
Counter disinformation when you see it (with a caveat). We’ve all seen the disinformation on social media: praise for the current school board, deflections away from their unethical acts, the defamation and name-calling of those of us who oppose the current school board. Countering the disinformation with factual evidence is important, though keep your own mental and emotional health (and physical safety!) in the forefront. The biggest name-calling bullies in Newberg will not be swayed from their narrow-minded rhetoric.
Personally attend school board meetings, as a way to hold them accountable. If you’ve attended any school board meetings recently, you know that the atmosphere is charged. The school board has rallied its supporters, many without children in the district, to cheer on their work. Attending school board meetings offers a counterbalance, letting the current board know that they can be held accountable for their decisions.
Spread the word through canvassing and on social media: the current school board has failed its students. The school board has cratered a once-vibrant district. Over 100 talented educators have left for other districts where their work is supported. The board’s decisions cost the Newberg taxpayers close to a half-million dollars (and counting!) in legal fees. Graduation rates are lower, and popular programs, like music and art, are being cut. Although the school board continues to blame the previous board, the pandemic, the state of education, what they are doing is not normal. We need to get the word out about the ways this school board has specifically failed us.
Newberg deserves better.
Newberg Neighbors for a Better Community 