NEWBERG, Ore. — The Newberg-Dundee School Board voted 6-1 to name former interim superintendent Dave Parker as superintendent, removing “interim” from his title, and increased his salary from $170,000 to $195,000 to better align with comparable districts.
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“My wish here is that I think we’ve got some stability going, and I think making a change right now would not be in the best interest of the district,” Parker said. “My current pay is about $20,000 below the average, so that’s why I feel we need to make a change.”
The new three-year contract runs through June 30, 2028. Director Celeste Jones was the lone dissenting vote after a respectful and robust discussion. Board members who supported the contract said approving it avoided the cost of a national search and emphasized the value of continuity.
“In my conscience, if we’re hiring a permanent superintendent, there’s a reason for a search and community and stakeholder feedback versus, you know, just a board decision if we’re just extending an interim,” Jones said. “These terms look great as far as the interim work that continues to happen. It is okay to have varying opinions.”
The board also unanimously approved designating signatures for student body accounts for fiscal year 2025-26, which determines who can manage the accounts. Ten accounts were established, including one for each of the district’s nine schools and one for the Tiger Manufacturing student-run machine shop at Newberg High School.
The board also congratulated Eric Fuchs, an elementary school teacher, on his retirement.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 23.
Attendance:
- Board Chair Deb Bridges
- Board Vice Chair Jeremy Hayden
- Director James Wolfer
- Director Andy Byerley
- Director Celeste Jones
- Director Aubrey Nichols
- Director Sol Allen
Public Comment
Newberg City Councilor Mike McBride spoke during public comment, saying his grandchild was taught about Ouija boards, Bloody Mary, and a “Mexican demon named Charlie”—a mix of urban legends, ghost stories, and supernatural games—during class.
“I felt that was inappropriate. I did call and talk to the principal, and he graciously listened, and we’ve moved that grandchild to a different class,” McBride said. “But this is disturbing to me, and I’m concerned about the other kids in the classroom.”
McBride said teaching historical Greek mythology is one thing, but he considers these urban legend games “a Satanic toy, and that’s very dangerous.” He recounted a personal story about a friend who suffered lasting harm after playing similar games.
Superintendent Parker told Newsberg that the educator did not include the paranormal games as part of the curriculum. Instead, students were listening to an educational podcast, Unspookable, in the background during art time.
The podcast, which aims to debunk paranormal games scientifically, is described as an “award-winning family-friendly look at the histories and mysteries behind your favorite scary stories, myths and urban legends.” The podcast is recommended for people aged 8 years and older.
Parker said teachers sometimes play educational podcasts or music during art time and that the district has addressed the situation with the teacher, with no disciplinary action taken.
Funding and Finance
The Austin Family Foundation donated $1,326 to the district for a high school literature class trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The board approved the trip in the consent agenda, which also included last month’s board minutes and reports of new hires and resignations.
The board also received updates on elementary and middle school conference schedules, superintendent and board goals, the sexual harassment policy, and a superintendent evaluation timeline. A table of expenditures with line-item costs was included in the integrated programs annual report, detailing each fund’s designated action items. The board is expected to vote on these items at future meetings.
Watch the full meeting HERE.
Correction Sept. 22 at 8:49 a.m. — the original article stated Parker’s salary as $117,000 per year. That was his initial contract for a partial year, which reflected a $170,000 annual salary. Newsberg regrets the error.
