Sherwood School Board Voter Forum
The candidates for the Sherwood School Board participated in a voter forum.
Below are their responses to key questions in regards to where they stand on issues.
(Please note: these responses are published as received by The Chamber. There are some formatting changes for the website. If there is no response from a candidate none was received.)
Chrystal Arn's Responses
- Would you ever protest in front of our schools? If so, why?
As a member of the Sherwood School District Board of Directors, it would be my responsibility to act in the best interests of the school district and its students. Protesting in front of a school presents the specter of a conflict of interest in that it could be viewed as a misuse of my authority and my presence could be interpreted by some as being intimidating to students, teachers and/or staff. As such, I would not do it. - Will you support and respect families that are uncomfortable with controversial agendas coming from Salem such as gender identity?
Yes. Members of the school board are elected officials who have a responsibility to serve the best interests of all families in the district, including those who may hold different views and beliefs. It is important for school board members to respect the concerns of families who may be uncomfortable with controversial agendas, such as those identified above, while also balancing the need to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. - What is your position on teaching ideologies and activism in the public education setting?
I believe that schools should primarily focus on providing a strong academic foundation designed to prepare children to navigate the complexities of adulthood and that politically charged topics should be left largely to families to address at home. Where politics are discussed, it is an educator’s responsibility to neutrally present the range of views and to teach critical thinking skills, not to indoctrinate. - Do you support the k-5 social studies curriculum (inquiry journeys)?
Schools should focus on teaching students how to evaluate information and think critically about issues rather than promoting a specific political ideology or agenda. Teachers should encourage students to examine multiple perspectives and consider evidence-based arguments.Schools should encourage civil discourse and respectful debate among students. This includes promoting active listening, valuing diversity of opinion, and creating opportunities for students to engage in constructive dialogue about important issues.Schools should promote respect for diversity and inclusivity in their classrooms. This includes avoiding discriminatory language, creating a safe environment for all students, and avoiding discussions that could potentially marginalize certain students based on their beliefs or identities.
Teachers should have the academic freedom to choose course materials and teach in a way that aligns with their subject area expertise and instructional goals. However, they should not use the classroom as a means to promote personal political beliefs. - What is your position on HB 2002?
As a member of the Sherwood School Board, it would be my responsibility to act in the best interests of the school district and its students. This responsibility would require me to understand HB 2002 if enacted, to understand the School Board’s obligations where the new law is concerned and to construct policy that recognizes my primary responsibility to the school district and its students, regardless of my personal position. - What will you do to ensure transparency in our school curriculum especially in regards to controversial topics?
- I will work to ensure the board solicits feedback from parents, students and the Sherwood community regarding controversial topics in the curriculum, including possibly through school board meetings, social media or other communication channels.
- I will work to foster a culture of open dialogue and to encourage robust discussion and debate through public meetings or forums that are designed to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to express their views.
- I will work to ensure the board clearly communicates curriculum decision and how controversial topics in the curriculum are being addressed; and
- I will work to ensure the board provides access to curriculum materials.
Jeff Lee Responses
- Would you ever protest in front of our schools? If so, why?
I have never, but if I believed in the cause and message of course I would. Being on the school board does not prohibit me from exercising my free speech rights. - Will you support and respect families that are uncomfortable with controversial agendas coming from Salem such as gender identity
Yes. As a core belief of mine, the family is the fundamental unit in our society. Any agenda that interferes with the family unit I will be cautious and critical of. I have demonstrated over the last year that I am willing to go above and beyond investigating and seeking counsel, advice, and expertise from others about topics that I do not know much about to form and informed decision.
- I oppose policies that allow the school to change children’s names and pronouns without the parents’ involvement.
- I oppose treatment and interventions without parent involvement.
- I oppose policies and practices of introducing elementary students to gender ideologies.
- What is your position on teaching ideologies and activism in the public education setting?
As an educational topic I do not oppose this practice. Martin Luther King was both an activist and held, what I consider, valuable ideological positions. I think teachings about him, his purpose, his influence, and his message are vital to a well-rounded education. I also believe at the higher end of education (such as 11th or 12th grade) when the students are cognitively developed enough to grasp abstract concepts that teaching about ideologies and activism and how to critique, understand, and think critically about them is important. I recommend the book The Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan Haidt. This is an excellent book that addresses many of these issues.I oppose the practice of instructors/teachers indoctrinating students into ideological frameworks or engaging in activism while at the school. I am equally opposed to teachers indoctrinating students into Catholicism as Queer Theory as Marxism as Democrat or Republican. Teach about those topics but do not indoctrinate. Teaching about this would include a general understanding of the principles, arguments for and against, books/resources for and against, and history of, for example, - Do you support the k-5 social studies curriculum (inquiry journeys)
I voted against this curriculum in September 2022. If you want to know my reasoning and basis for this vote, I invite you to watch that board meeting. In short, many of the practices and materials were fraught with clearly biased and propaganda material. For example, in one video about student activism, there were a number of logical fallacies and misinformation in that video. However, the most telling example was the instruction of student activism but only giving two examples of Democrat positions and no other examples when there were comparable Republican, Green, Libertarian and other political examples.
That I voted against it does not mean I was, in totality, opposed to it. We actually passed it with the condition that we will review the material to ensure the biases and propaganda pieces were not included. This is an example, of a board having differing positions and coming to a reasonable and effective compromise. - What is your position on HB 2002?
I do not support this bill. I spent last night and read the entire bill. My reading of the bill is that it requires insurance coverage of abortions and all gender-affirmation care interventions. It also prohibits any civil liabilities to those performing those services. Furthermore, it also appropriates funds for a student health center program.The reason this is problematic is because at 15 years old, a child can receive care without their parents’ knowledge or consent. This bill mandates that insurance pay for these services, provided a behavior health care professional recommends it. I can attest that as a behavior health care worker, by threat of losing my license, I can only recommend gender-affirming care. The core aspect of gender-affirming care is to move the child along the gender transition process (as indicated by American Psychological Association and conference presentations presented therein). Thus, a 15-year-old child can get treatment without the parents’ knowledge or consent, have that service paid for, and the only recommendation is for gender-affirming care, which moves that child further along the transitioning process.With the addition of the student health center (which will initially only be in rural areas), I worry that these centers will eventually be placed at schools. Thus, these services will be available at schools all without the knowledge or consent of the parent. As an added issue, the practitioners of these services are protected from any legal action against them, regardless of the negative effects. - What will you do to ensure transparency in our school curriculum especially in regards to controversial topics?
My position is that we only adopt curriculum that allows us to share it in totality with the parents. The parents should be able to review a full curriculum prior to the first day of the trimester. This would include all references of resources, books, articles, videos, and other material that are included. This is especially important because this includes the parents in the learning process. Before the lesson is even conducted, the parent can discuss with their children (if they wish) topics and ideas about the lesson. I would bet classroom discussion would be drastically improved if students came to class having already had discussed the material with their parents? Imagine, the home discussions of topics that impact the children’s lives. There are so many times I ask my children what they learned that day and they say “nothing.” I know this is not true, but I am beholden to what they provide me. Instead, I envision a process in which I tell my children that they will be discussing this or that in the next few days and then having a conversation about that. Not only does this enhance in-class learning but it also enhances at-home learning. We know that repeated engagement of a topic in different environments and with different perspectives improves learning. This seems like an easy solution to me. - Do you support Every Child Belongs policy?
My response during the forum was not complete because I did not recognize the title to this policy. This policy is actually attached to another one (Bias Incident Complaint Procedure). The reading of this policy was not a complete version of the policy, but it did include the prohibition of speech and symbols that include “the noose, symbols of neo-Nazi ideology, and the battle flag of the Confederacy….” To start off, I am not a fan nor do I endorse these symbols or what they stand for. I have never worn nor will I ever adorn these symbols. My wife was raised and had to endure the negative impact of this ideology. Her father’s neighbor and good friend was actually part of the secret police assigned to spy on him for over a decade. However, one cannot assert support for free speech rights while simultaneously oppose those same rights of others because they do not like them or may be offended by it. I have no right to restrict your free speech just because I may be offended by it, nor do you my rights, and nor does any other to another person. I find it quite ironic that some will use their rights of free speech to advocate for the restrictions of other’s free speech.When I opposed this policy, I did not do so lightly. I read every Supreme Court decision on free speech, with an emphasis on the decisions regarding free speech of students. I also read many Circuit Court decisions on free speech for students, with an emphasis on the 9th Circuit Court (the Court we fall under). I read two law articles about (sort of like journal articles) student’s free speech. I also spoke to the OSBA attorney recommended by Dr. Lyon. This attorney confirmed and agreed with my critique and concerns about this policy.The most often cited case law refers to the 1968 Tinker v Des Moines decision. In that decision, the Court established the criteria of limiting students’ free speech. It states,In order for the State in the person of school officials to justify prohibition of a particular expression of opinion, it must be able to show that its action was caused by something more than a mere desire to avoid the discomfort and unpleasantness that always accompany an unpopular viewpoint. Certainly where there is no finding and no showing that engaging in forbidden conduct would “materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of school” the prohibition cannot be sustained.In this same decision, the Court uses the example that symbols of Nazism was not prohibited. I asked the attorney if any of the “hate symbols” listed in the policy had ever been identified as meeting the “marked and substantially” criteria noted Tinker v Des Moines. He indicated he was not aware of any case in Oregon and added that he was not aware of any Circuit course case as well. I found one case in the 9th Circuit court (again the court we are under) in which the American Flag was prohibited use as free speech on school grounds.The only flag I am aware of that has been prohibited as a measure of free speech is the American Flag. Furthermore, one Stanford administrator decried the American Flag as a “hate symbol.” I ask the reader, would you agree with this stand of a “hate symbol?” If you disagree with this standard, then you must also disagree with this policy on the same basis.I am the only candidate who opposes this policy as it is written. You heard every other candidate affirm this policy. I am the only current board member who voted against this policy and I did so for the reasons stated above (I do not imply the other board members do not support the students’ free speech). Incidentally, I worked with the OSBA attorney and have been consulting with other attorneys to come up with language for this policy that would preserve our student’s free speech and meet legal standards.
Hans Moller's Responses
- Would you ever protest in front of our schools? If so, why?
No not when I am a school board member. - Will you support and respect families that are uncomfortable with controversial agendas coming from Salem such as gender identity?
I will be happy to engage in a dialogue about these sensitive topics. - What is your position on teaching ideologies and activism in the public education setting?
Activism as educating students what activism is as a subject material is appropriate. But bringing activism into the classroom with an agenda not appropriate. - What is your position on HB 2002?
HB2002 is about a four-hour read. Therefore, I would be happy to discuss any questions relative to specific school board responsibilities.
- What will you do to ensure transparency in our school curriculum, especially in regard to controversial topics?
All curriculum is available to the public at the district office. With an appointment they will set you up to review this material in question. Full transparency is available. I have done this myself without any problems.
Matt Thornton's Responses
- Would you ever protest in front of our schools? If so, why?
No I would not. I know this question came up because two school board directors protested out side of our schools last spring.
People have a right to protest but this should never be done in front of a school. If the issue concerns something in Salem then even a school board member should feel free to protest peacefully there.
Let’s keep this type of political activity out of schools. - Will you support and respect families that are uncomfortable with controversial agendas coming from Salem such as gender identity?Gender identity is protected under federal law. Specifically Title IX. You can read the statement from the U.S. Department of Education here: https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-confirms-title-ix-protects-students-discrimination-based-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity
Arbitration of whether state or federal laws violate the US constitution is the sole domain of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) and not a local school board.
With that does come School District policies with accommodations for all kids. As a school board we have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that those policies correctly implement both state and federal law. Doing anything other than that would invite litigation. It is important to note a Title IX violation is what cost the Newberg School District hundreds of thousands of dollars. - What is your position on teaching ideologies and activism in the public education setting?
A social studies curriculum should teach critical thinking and expose students to various peaceful beliefs and opinions not based on hate or harming others. It should do this in an age appropriate way as students develop and can be exposed to larger concepts. It should teach how to analyze and evaluate statements based on evidence. It should encourage students that they are free to peacefully act on their beliefs as long as they do not harm others. This is fundamental to a free and democratic society
I know a couple of board members took issue with this curriculum because of perceived issues with teaching critical race theory (CRT). This is just another example of cultural political wedge issues interfering in public education.
I am a former math and science teacher. I have been part of curriculum adoption teams in the past. The curriculum selection processes I have been a part of were very rigorous. I trust our professional teaching and administrative staff to select the curriculum.
Inquiry Journeys meets the required state standards. It teaches students critical thinking skills in how to evaluate and gather evidence. - What is your position on HB 2002?
To learn about this bill I contacted several elected officials. All of them assured me that this bill is not related to public education and would not come up as an issue for the school board. - What will you do to ensure transparency in our school curriculum, especially in regard to controversial topics?
Parents already have the right to review the curriculum, opt out of specific content and bring any complaints they have to the administration and the board. Many classes offer a reading list allowing students and families to select the reading materials they want and avoid topics they don’t want to be covered. I am worried about too many extra conditions being put on teachers that would put more pressure on them and make the job more stressful and unmanageable. Our teachers in general make good choices and should be trusted to do their jobs.
