Author Archives: Natalie Pate

A motion passed by the Salem-Keizer school board Tuesday night further limits how members of the public can engage with the governing body. Most school board members said the new motion — which designates free-speech and no-trespassing zones — is needed to ensure public viewers can hear the meetings. However, some activists and community members argue they are being silencedContinueContinue reading “School board restricts demonstrations at meetings to ‘free speech zones’”

Joint byline with Jordyn Brown Many local schools during the protests acknowledged the continued presence of racism and pledged against it, saying they would “do the work” to confront it in schools and listen more to their students of color. But a year later, with few exceptions, many changes have only appeared in long-term policy reviews or promises. It’sContinueContinue reading “Local schools pledged anti-racism last year, but are they following through?”

By Connor Radnovich, Dianne Lugo, Natalie Pate, Virginia Barreda and Whitney Woodworth One year removed from Floyd’s death, the Statesman Journal looks back on how the fight for racial equity and justice has developed, and what the road ahead may yet hold. Read the full story here.

The Salem-Keizer Public Schools governing board is historically a nonpartisan entity. But candidates in the May 18 election are getting money from notably political sources. Big players are investing tens of thousands of dollars into candidates, with some individual campaigns costing around $50,000. Read the full story here.

The Salem-Keizer NAACP called on school board candidate Linda Farrington to apologize for comments she made in April regarding her racial identity. Farrington said she was referring to her personal cultural experience. Read the full story here.

Salem-Keizer school board candidate Kari Zohner received criticism for Facebook comments she made related to George Floyd. Read the full story here.

The leaders who make major decisions about Salem and Keizer’s children are elected in a way some argue is discriminatory. While Salem-Keizer Public Schools’ governing board members each only represent a portion of the district, they are chosen by voters districtwide. Some believe this has historically created a disadvantage for candidates of color or those who can’t afford toContinueContinue reading “Some deem school board election process discriminatory”

Tuesday was the first day of Salem-Keizer Public Schools’ hybrid learning model, in which students attend two days a week in person and continue virtual learning or get other support the other three days. Read about the experience and district’s plan here.

It’s been a year since the COVID-19 pandemic changed Oregonians lives in what felt like an instant, moving classes and many jobs online. For many, the biggest disruption from COVID-19 hit right at home. Living rooms became remote-learning classrooms and daycares with parents balancing roles as caregivers, educators and workers.  Students have struggled to balance workloads and stayContinueContinue reading “One year later: COVID-19’s impact on families, students”

Brown said the district ‘followed every single protocol’ to ensure safe re-entry. Read the full story here.