Helt backs Oregon schools’ hate-symbols ban, aims to make it state law
(Update: Adding video, comments from Helt, Crook Co. School District)
Rule bans use of confederate flag on Oregon school campuses
BEND, Ore (KTVZ) -- The Oregon Board of Education is sending a strong message.
Board member and state Rep. Cheri Helt, R-Bend, told NewsChannel 21 Friday: "I just want all of our students of color and our indigenous students to know that we are behind you and we will not tolerate racism and hate."
The All Students Belong rule adopted Thursday bans symbols of hatred such as the Confederate flag, nooses and swastikas from school grounds.
In her non-voting board position, Helt could not join in the vote, but she applauded the decision.
"Because I think it's really important that we provide a message of unity to be able to eliminate racism and hate symbols in our state and inside our schools," she said.
Gov. Kate Brown also weighed in on the school board's announcement, tweeting, "Every student deserves to feel safe and welcome in Oregon schools."
The All Students Belong rule takes effect immediately and requires districts to have new polices in place for enforcement by Jan. 1.
Those polices are being developed, said Jason Carr, the Crook County School District's communications director.
"I think you'd see something that's very similar to what the Board of Education released," Carr said.
Of course, the rule does not mean students won't still see some of these symbols in the classroom.
"This doesn't mean the Confederate flag will never be mentioned in school curriculum,” Carr said. “We're talking about a history class and the Civil War, it's obviously going to come up."
"What we're really talking about is ensuring that students aren't using certain symbols to bully others," Carr added.
The rule is temporary for now, but Helt wants to take it a step further, and introduce legislation in the Oregon Llegislature.
"I would like to strengthen it, so we have more teeth behind it," she said.
Original Story:
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon Board of Education on Thursday unanimously adopted a rule that bans "symbols of hatred" from all school grounds, including the Confederate flag, swastikas and nooses.
The Oregon Department of Education "is committed to ensuring that Oregon’s schools are safe and inclusive for all students and staff," Communications Director Marc Siegel said.
"The board’s adoption today of the All Students Belong (agenda item 4.B) OAR (Oregon administrative rule) is an important step in that process," he said. "This temporary rule focuses on the health and safety of our students and educators by creating a safer and more inclusive school climate."
A summary in the board's agenda said the rule "prioritizes student health and safety by (1) prohibiting the presence or use of the swastika, noose, or confederate flag on school grounds or in any program, service, school or activity financed in whole or in part by moneys appropriated by the Legislative Assembly; (2) requiring school districts, public charter schools, and education service districts to adopt policies prohibiting the use or display of those symbols; and (3) requiring school districts, public charter schools, and education service districts to develop procedures for addressing bias incidents."
"The Department recognizes that student health and safety are the cornerstone of education and that all students are entitled to a high-quality educational experience, free from discrimination or harassment based on perceived race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin, and without fear or hatred, racism or violence," the explanation states.
"All staff and leaders are also entitled to work in environments that are free from discrimination or harassment, and visitors should be able to participate in school activities without fear for their safety. The All Students Belong Rule is an important step in creating safe and inclusive school climates where all who participate in our school communities feel welcome."
Board member and state Rep. Cheri Helt, R-Bend, said in a news release that she "stood in unity with students, fellow State Board of Education members, and State Reps. Caddy McKeown (D-Coos Bay) and David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford) in the fight to ban the Confederate flag and other symbols of hatred from school grounds during today’s State Board of Education meeting. "
"The All Students Belong initiative is an important step, the first of its kind in the nation, to set rules within the education curriculum that would ban symbols of hatred from Oregon school grounds, including the Confederate flag, swastikas and nooses," the release continued
“The Confederate flag is a symbol of treason, racism and white supremacy. It has no place in Oregon," Helt stated.
"I am proud of the leadership and work of the students in our state that brought this forward. As a state representative, and long-time education leader, I want to send a strong message that our educators and staff have the right to work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment, and that all students of color are loved and belong in our schools” she added.
Helt concluded, “I look forward to bringing forward legislation in the 2021 legislative session to ban these symbols of hatred and codify it into Oregon law.”
Oregon Dept. of Education news release:
All Students Belong
Oregon State Board of Education Adopts All Students Belong rule to help ensure Oregon’s schools are safe and inclusive for all students and staff.
(Salem, Ore). – This morning, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) filed a temporary administrative rule with the Secretary of State, adopted yesterday by the State Board of Education, that focuses on the health and safety of our students and educators by creating a safer and more inclusive school climate.
During yesterday’s Board of Education meeting, the board unanimously passed the All Students Belong temporary rule to prohibit the use of hate symbols in schools and to establish requirements for anti-bias incidents at a district level.
Like similar initiatives currently in place in Oregon school districts, this effort was sparked by students as a response to the increasing number of incidents impacting their ability to access education in Oregon’s schools.
“Our students called us out and into action,” Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill said. “The Oregon Department of Education is committed to ensuring that Oregon’s schools are safe and inclusive for all students and staff, and the All Students Belong rule is an important step in that process. The noose, Confederate flag and swastika are being used to bully and harm students and staff, and this is particularly true for students of color. Students must feel like they are safe and belong in their own schools if they are to learn, work and grow to their fullest potential. It is our responsibility to make sure that all of our school communities feel safe and welcomed, and we support youth to set a moral standard.”
The rule requires districts to adopt and implement policies and procedures that prohibit, at a minimum, the use or display of the noose, swastika, or Confederate flag in any program or school-sponsored activities except where used in teaching curriculum that is aligned with the Oregon State Standards. This applies to both in-person and distance learning environments. The rule will take effect today, and districts will be asked to have policies in place by January 1, 2021. A permanent rule will be introduced in several months.
ODE will continue to support school districts in developing rules, policies, and procedures over the next several months by providing guidance, educational resources, and toolkits to support implementation of these policies. Most districts have existing nondiscrimination policies and procedures for addressing bias incidents that pose a threat to student, staff and/or community safety that can serve as a starting point for responding to incidents in which hate symbols or hate speech occur in both in-person and in distance learning situations.
“Our goal is to create stronger and safer school communities,” Gill said. “Removing these symbols is an important step in making sure that Oregon schools are for everyone, no exceptions. All students belong.”
