Watch out. Here comes mister blah blah blah.

Gordon Clay
Brookings, Oregon

There are a number of policies that encourage positive direct...district-community relations. KC says quote "All district citizens will be encouraged to express their ideas, concerns and judgments about the schools." Unquote.

The high school student handbook describes many aspects of Bruin PRIDE. Quote: "You are supportive of all participants. Being open-minded about different ideas, supporting everyone and their efforts (versus make derogatory comments about presenters, disrespecting their ideas.)" Unquote, Another section says "Staff at BHHS are expected at all times to exemplify a high degree of professionalism, solve problems and conducting business in a calm, reasonable uh and responsible manner." unquote.

No one from the board, district or administration has contacted me this school year to express any of their concerns. Not even after last month's board meeting. I did reach out to admin but got sent to the superintendent's office. Gordon. Gordon Finally, What what you're reading appears to be a complaint and there's a separate process for that. It's not about any individual. It's about the utilization of Bruin PRIDE and Well what I'm hearing, and we probably should have conversation off line about this, but the the tone of your comments are um, you're saying nobody got back to you which which in my mind is a complaint about we're not following a process and so

Um. I don't think, um, I would like to continue. I don't think it meets your criteria. And, because there was both a put on the web site put it in the newspaper comments about me. I'm not looking at any of those people individually but I'm standing up for uh

Again you're referencing district employees I assume in a nature that appears to be you have a complaint with something that has happened which there is another process and that needs to be followed with dealing with that complaint as opposed to public comment in in a board meeting. Because there are other individuals who you may be referring to that have rights as well.

I'm uh referencing to Mr. Freels and saying you're a good motivational speaker. Uh. I'm not refering to anybody else is

Even even if you don't speak by name if in generalities

Okay

and infered who that is there's not really a difference. And I, you know, this is very uncomfortable. I'm not trying to put you on the spot but the tone of your comments appear to be heading in the direction of a complaint with procedures or something within the district and a complaint is not appropriate in the public comments section. And there are other processes

I thought it was. Okay. I guess I'll just let it be known that everything I have been told is in error is on the web and I don't I don't hold any all data all conversations are open to anybody that wants to see it uh and I feel unfortunate that I can't support myself against uh in what I've really accomplished for this district and received two awards from the district for the things that I've done for it. And I'd like to know that process and I

If you'd like to address and talk about those thins that you've accomplished I don't have a problem with that. It's just

Okay

where you started out appeared in my mind to be some sort of complaint we need to deal with in another form.

I took the initiative and contacted the superintendent and board chair to arrange a meeting that I thought went quite well. The next day more accusations against me were reported in the Pilot.

My biggest issue is not being criticized for exposing troubling data. Let's have a debate about data, that's okay. The thing that concerns me is when people question my integrity and purpose, calling me libelous names - careless and misleading, he gives hostile, untrue criticisms and that I quote "berate the kids all the time." unquote

I've taken the liberty to transcribe every word I've said at a board meeting this school year. You tell me where the basis for your claims. Back up your claims if they're anything more than a diversionary tactic to take the focus off helping students that are in need. (All of my data and information can be found at TheCitizensWhoCare dot org slash school dash board dot html)

Okay. Well that's what I would really like to do uh because uh I would like to know the complaint so that I can address. I can put all of this information on the web at TheCitizensWhoCare.org/school-board.html

Let it be known that I, too, have done a lot for this community, Mr. Freels. If your oldest (who isn't here) but if your oldest daughter graduated before 2014, she most likely wrote an essay as a senior for the Through My Eyes essay contest I ran for 8 years. Or was part of the Bully Prevention Program run with the school and in the community with orange wrist bands for everyone and a free ticket to the Bully the Movie at the Redwood Cinema. Or the semicolon cam...program to de-stigmatize suicidailty. Or the 36 rack cards that I developed to aid parents in talking with their kids about tough issues. Or placing the memorial headstone in the high school lawn in front of the "buddy bench".

I recognize, I rec In recognition for some of this work, I am the proud to say uh that the school district has awarded me an Exceptional Service Recognition Award - twice.

And Mr. Freels. You're a good motivational speaker. I don't know who asked you to come and speak on their behalf, but I would suggest in the future to be more careful who you get your "facts" from. Berating kids, all the emails, etc. You just need more factual information to work with. Otherwise you come off as very schoolyardish

I sincerely hope that with all the happy faces everyone sees...seems to be focusing on, that they are even more observant of the students who show signs of depression, anxiety, fear, and harassment. There are tell-tail signs and they are out there. If everyone's focused on those students and you help them, that will make a big difference in how safe students feel to spend their time getting an education rather than getting to the next class.

So, who needs this? I don't. But then again, I don't do this because I want to. I do this because there's no choice.

For your information, I've moved this platform to the state legislature and in February, worked with the house educational committee to draft HB-4024 and testified on its behalf only to see it languish in ways and means committee in this year's short 5 week session. I will be at the that committee's meeting on this Monday and in the sen..senate's education committee meeting on Tuesday to push for stronger OSBA and school board over...oversight. Thank-you

Legend: Black - speech; Red - Board Chair; Blue - part of planned speech but not given.

What the minutes say

Gordon Clay spoke of a number of policies that encourage positive communications with the school district and citizens. He added that no one from the board, school district or administration has gotten back to him this school year to express any of their concerns. Bruce Raleigh informed Gordon Clay that his input appeared to be a complaint. Gordon Clay stated he would like to continue. Gordon Clay named numerous items he has accomplished in the district including through my eyes essay contest, part of the bully prevention program, the ; campaigning program, and the memorial headstone on the high school lawn. Gordon Clay is proud to say he has been awarded the exceptional service award in the district twice.