NEWBERG, Ore. — The Newberg-Dundee School Board met Tuesday, Dec. 9, for its regularly scheduled meeting.
Board members presented a statement in English and Spanish, with the help of a translator, addressing student safety and students’ rights to attend school without fear.
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The statement followed recent allegations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the community, including reports of drones flying over elementary schools and the arrest of Newberg residents.
“Over the past three weeks, we have heard concerns from families and staff about the federal activity in our community,” Board Chair Deb Bridges said. “We understand that many of our students are feeling anxious, and some families are uncertain about traveling to and from school.”
Director Sol Allen said student privacy and safety are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
“Students’ records and personally identifiable information cannot be released without a valid judicial order,” Allen said. “These protections apply to every student every day, and we support the district’s continued commitment to following these laws with care and consistency.”
Board members said students can connect with counselors, Unidos Bridging Community, and school teams to have a safe space to talk. While acknowledging that support does not erase the fear some families are experiencing, the board said it stands with the community and wants every student to feel safe, cared for, and welcomed.
“Every teacher, administrator, and parent who I’ve spoken to in the last couple of weeks has been very clear about the anxiety members of their community are feeling,” Director Aubrey Nichols said. “I’m thankful that this board made that statement today. I’m thankful for the communication that [NDSD Superintendent Dave Parker] has sent out, and for the teams at the schools who are really thinking individually about how to support specific families and specific students. I hope those families are feeling the care and support of this community … We stand in community; we are all members of the Newberg community.”
Overview
The board unanimously voted to name Newberg High School’s wrestling room the Russo Family Wrestling Room, honoring the multigenerational coaches who helped lead the program to numerous victories.
The board also authorized a full faith and credit refinancing for the Dundee property and unanimously approved participation in the Wadayama Exchange Program, which includes travel to Asago City, Japan.
There was no public comment.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 13.
Attendance
- Board Chair Deb Bridges
- Vice Chair Jeremy Hayden
- Director James Wolfer
- Director Andy Byerley
- Director Celeste Jones
- Director Aubrey Nichols
- Director Sol Allen
Japan Sister City Trip
The student exchange trip to Japan is scheduled for May 8–18, 2026. Ten students and three chaperones from Chehalem Valley Middle School plan to attend.
This marks the middle school’s 36th year participating in the exchange with its sister school, Wadayama Junior High.
Students and families are covering the cost of the trip, which averages $2,200 per student. Fundraising efforts include a handmade crafts and baked goods bazaar, gift-wrapping at Fred Meyer, and a spring garage sale.
Three students addressed the board, saying they are looking forward to riding the bullet train, trying Japanese cuisine, seeing the landscape, and learning about cultural differences in student life.
Students are currently taking culture classes twice a month, focused on language tips, etiquette, and cultural expectations in Japan.
Upon returning, students plan to report back to the school board. Japanese students from Wadayama Junior High are scheduled to visit Newberg in August, followed by a sayonara party later that month.
Wrestling Room
The board approved naming the wrestling room at Newberg High School the Russo Family Wrestling Room.
Pete, Tony, and Neil Russo, along with support from their families, helped build the Newberg High School wrestling program into a premier program with national recognition, including 16 team state championships.
“At Newberg High School, we are the winningest program in the state of Oregon in wrestling at any level — we had to buy a second state championship banner because we have too many years for just one banner,” said Mark Brown, interim principal at Newberg High School. “But it’s not just about the wins. It’s not just about the hundreds of individual state champions. It’s about preparing our students — young men and young women — to graduate and be successful.”
Brown said many local businesses in Newberg are owned by former NHS wrestlers, reflecting the dedication and work ethic developed in the wrestling program.
A formal announcement of the new room name is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 14, 2026, during the second-to-last home wrestling event of the season.
Watch the full meeting here.
