Bill Newton, Superintendent, HRCSD
HOOD RIVER — Hood River County School District’s (HRCSD’s) Board of Directors has dismissed a complaint against Superintendent Bill Newton.
The unanimous decision at the board’s Dec. 10 meeting followed an independent legal review of Newton’s emailed response to Adrienne Mattos regarding Pride flags in district schools.
In documents obtained by Columbia Gorge News, Mattos alleged the display of Pride flags violated district and state policies in an Oct. 1 email; Newton responded Oct. 6 that removing Pride flags had been attempted and overturned in the court case Schotts v. The Newberg School District, and targeted prohibition against Pride flags has been deemed a violation of Article 1, Section 8 of the Oregon Constitution.
Following Newton’s response, Mattos filed a formal complaint with Board Chair Chrissy Reitz on Oct. 11, calling Newton’s response to her concerns “inadequate, inaccurate, and misleading,” and said “the superintendent’s handling of these inquiries demonstrates a failure to uphold his professional obligations, including providing accurate information, enforcing neutrality, and addressing all aspects of community concerns,” alleging that he had exposed the district to legal risks by allowing Pride flags to remain displayed.
The board then requested a legal review, provided by Jollee Faber Patterson, partner, Miller Nash LLP, to “ensure clarity regarding the application of district policy and Oregon law,” according to documents provided in the Dec. 10 board meeting packet.
“In short, Superintendent Newton’s Oct. 6, 2025, letter to Ms. Mattos accurately reflects the law and school district policy regarding the display of Pride flags,” Faber Patterson wrote in her Dec. 1 board communication. “Superintendent Newton’s letter also appropriately responds to Ms. Matto’s concerns about teaching controversial issues and ensuring display of the United States flag in accordance with ORS 339.875.”
The board accepted the results of the legal analysis, which confirmed that “Superintendent Newton’s communication accurately reflects the law and district policy regarding Pride flags; furthermore, Superintendent Newton’s communication appropriately addressed concerns related to teaching controversial issues and the proper display of the United States flag” in accordance with state law, as per Faber Patterson’s report, and that no further board action was warranted.
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