Board passes legislative priority list, addresses deportation fears

The board ultimately decided to vote on each resolution separately. The first and third passed unanimously. The second passed 6-1, with Director Jen Kelly casting the nay vote, voicing concern with caucuses in general.

“My disagreement is relative to the formation of any caucus … my concern is that as the number of caucuses grows, their proportion to the number of representatives that represent entire districts are diluted.” Director Rich Truax expressed similar concerns.

Director Chrissy Reitz, also an OSBA board member, said she has heard similarly from others and would take the evening’s concerns forward. “I will make sure it continues to be discussed,” she said.

Board members then voted unanimously to adopt Superintendent Bill Newton’s 2024-2025 Legislative Priorities.

“The 2025 long session and the 2025-27 biennium funding are pivotal to the educational and economic future of HRCSD and school districts across Oregon,” he said. “Stagnant state funding, the expiration of federal COVID relief, inflationary pressures and evolving student and community needs have created an urgent call for legislative focus and action.”

The list of nine items included funding currently unfunded state mandates; secure emergency funding to address urgent facility repairs and upgrades; and establishing stable, non-competitive funding for summer programs.

The board then moved to Resolution 24-25/05, Protections for Undocumented Students at School — originally established in 2017 — which also passed unanimously.

“Schools must be safe spaces where students feel secure and supported to focus on academics,” Newton said. “When students and families express fear, we must address those concerns, even if our actions may be misinterpreted as politically motivated.” He added that fear has increased in the past month.

“This updated resolution … reaffirms the district’s commitment to providing a safe, welcoming and equitable learning environment for all students, regardless of immigration status,” Newton said. “It outlines the district’s legal and ethical obligations … and adherence to federal law ensuring equal access to education. The resolution prioritizes the emotional and physical safety of students and staff and underscores the district’s belief in fostering an inclusive educational environment.”

Board Chair Corinda Hankins Elliott noted the resolution was brought forward due to outdated terminology. “We do need to update resolutions when they [are no longer current] … and that is part of reassuring our community that we are paying attention, and … [students] can come to school and know that they are safe.”

Kelly agreed overall with the resolution’s intent but took issue with its timing, calling it “egregiously political” and said relevant information should have been distributed to families in a different way, such as through parent engagement specialists.

Director Julia Garcia-Ramirez said she appreciated the timing as it reflected community concerns and addressed the “need to feel reassured that our kids and our families are going to be safe in our schools. So, thank you, Superintendent, for doing that,” she said.

Reitz said the resolution might seem political based on what is being said at the national level, but the school board is a non-political body that represents county residents.

“What our population of families and students and staff are telling us is that they are worried,” she said. “So, when you hear that as a board member, you do take action … it’s our job to validate and to listen to that concern and then, as a district, take a step that helps alleviate that.”