The conservative majority on Newberg’s school board tripled down last week on its controversial policy to ban so-called political symbols like the Pride Flag and Black Lives Matter from classrooms and campuses.

The board voted 4 to 3 to oust the popular superintendent who helped steer the exurban district to financial stability in recent years.

It’s the latest surprising step from a school board of elected volunteers, but Newberg isn’t alone. It’s part of a broader movement.

On the latest episode of Beat Check, we hear from Ryan Clarke and Eder Campuzano. Ryan just joined the Oregonian last week and broke countless stories about the controversial policy this summer as a reporter for the Newberg Graphic. Eder covers Portland Public Schools and education for the Oregonian.

We talked about last week’s remarkable meeting, what students of color and LGBTQ+ students are saying, where the story may go from here and how Newberg fits into the larger American narrative today

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