NEWBERG SCHOOL DISTRICT TELLS LEGISLATOR THEY PLAN TO CONTINUE BREAKING THE LAW.
The Newberg, Oregon School District is setting an interesting example for the children it is “educating”. That lesson is: if you don’t like the law, ignore it.
In spite of the fact that the Appeals Court has ruled in no uncertain terms that schools cannot create or impose their own rules dealing with firearms, Newberg School District Superintendent Paula Radich has made it clear that she intends to do just that.
When informed that the District’s policy (PLEASE NOTE, AS OF 11.09.11 THIS LINK NOW TAKES YOU TO THEIR AMENDED POLICY,NOT THEIR ORIGINAL POLICY)on firearms possession was illegal, Radich wrote to a district resident: “After considerable research and thought regarding your request to change Board Policy KG and Administrative Regulations KG-AR, in the interest of protecting the safety and well-being of children in our care, I will not be recommending a policy change to our Board of Directors. Thank you for your input”
When contacted by House Rep Kim Thatcher and reminded that the Oregon University System squandered almost $50,000.00 in taxpayer funds in a failed attempt to defend their unlawful gun policies (in spite of having been repeatedly warned that they were illegal) Radich responded: “Thank you for writing me. I have read both court cases and have discussed this matter with our Board of Directors. At this time, I am not recommending a change in Board policy.”
In other words, “The law means nothing to us.”
This is an interesting situation given that not a legislative session goes by without the public school establishment demanding huge increases in their funding. The District Superintendent is handed a very well publicized court decision saying she is breaking the law, she is reminded of how costly these policies can be and she chooses to simply ignore the facts and the law. And these people are teaching Oregonian children.
Clearly, the law must be changed so that bureaucrats who flagrantly ignore or break the law can no longer flush away precious taxpayer money. They must be held accountable themselves.
Given the current makeup of the Oregon Senate, any change of that kind will be an uphill climb, but if you would like to share your thoughts with the Superintendent, her contact info follows:
Newberg School District Superintendent
Paula Radich
(503) 554-5042
radichp@newberg.k12.or.us
Sample cut and paste message:
________________________________________________________________________
Dear Superintendent Radich,
I am amazed and outraged that after being repeatedly told your firearms policy is forbidden by law, you would respond with nothing more than an arrogant refusal to consider obeying what the courts have decided. Your reckless disregard for the potential cost to the school district is incredibly irresponsible in these difficult financial times. The example you are setting for the students in your district is reprehensible.
Yours,
___________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Here is contact info for the school board members:
Melinda Van Bossuyt
Board Chair, Director Zone 3
503-538-5717
melinda@springcreekllamas.com
Polly Peterson
Director Zone 2
503-538-6923
popeters@gmail.com
Todd Thomas*
Director Zone 4
503-780-4880
TThomasNWNGS@nwnatural.com
Jim Chogyoji*
Vice Chair, Director Zone 5
503-538-9530
jchogyoji@verizon.net
Mitsi Vondrachek*
Director Zone 6
503-538-4241
mitsi@verizon.net
Debbie Hawblitzel
Director Zone 7
503-537-0888
debbiehawblitzel@comcast.net
Addendum
We have gotten reports that not all of these* emails are working.
To get in touch with any Director, you may contact him/her directly or contact School Board Secretary Mikaela Schamp at 503-554-5041 schampm@newberg.k12.or.us
ADDED 11.3.11. An email we received.
Hi,
I’m still in Afghanistan serving in the Army. Just thought it so fitting, after reading the post about the school officials, to send you a copy of quoting from Justice Brandeis [written years ago]:
“Decency, security, and liberty alike demand that government officials shall be subject to the same rules of conduct that are commands to the citizen. In a government of laws, existence will be imperiled if it fails to observe the law scrupulously. Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is contagious. if the government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law, it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. To declare that in the administration of the criminal law the ends justify the means would bring terrible retribution.”
And some wonder what has gone wrong with our laws, government, and people in general…. I believe the answer is in the above statements; no, I know it is. Take care my friends, John S.