As Chair of the Woodburn School Board, it is my duty to serve our students, staff, and

community in a way that honors our culture, adheres to our values, and centers equity in the
forefront of creating positive, lasting change. That is why I feel it necessary to respond to the
recent editorial.

During the week of January 25, the Woodburn School District Superintendent was placed on
administrative leave while an outside firm, independent of the School District, investigated
complaints filed against him. The Woodburn School Board acted swiftly to ensure a fair and
thorough investigation would be conducted. The investigation concluded in March and
substantiated the claims. The District then worked for five weeks with Mr. Moreno Gilson and
his legal representation in hopes of coming to a mutual separation agreement so he could
proceed with his professional career. Those negotiations failed due to the substantial financial
settlement Mr. Moreno Gilson and his attorney were demanding out of the District’s general
fund—money that is dedicated to our students and student learning.

The next step is for a due process hearing to be held on April 19, 2021 related to the District’s
Intent to Terminate provided to the Superintendent. The Board will continue to provide due
process and respect Mr. Oscar Moreno Gilson’s personnel confidentiality rights by not
disclosing the specifics of the allegations substantiated by the independent investigation.

Mr. Moreno Gilson began working for the Woodburn School District on July 1, 2020. The
Woodburn School Board tasked him to, “move the mission forward” when it came to equity
building and advancing a curriculum based on cultural competencies. In the short six-months
Oscar served as superintendent he began refining those pillars and for that the Woodburn
School Board is grateful. However, no amount of positive change in that time excuses a leader
from being responsible for the impact of his or her personal conduct. I would urge those who
are working from assumptions to withhold judgment out of respect for your colleagues who
were brave enough to come forward.

The Woodburn School District is limited in its ability to respond publicly due to laws around
communicating on personnel and litigation matters. These are not limitations that Mr. Moreno
Gilson and his attorneys have which furthers a one-sided narrative that is sowing division and
unnecessary conflict.

The Woodburn School Board is saddened that its commitment to equity is being questioned.
For the past several years, the Woodburn School District has ranked #1 in Oregon’s Educator
Equity Report for having the highest percentage of students, teachers, staff, and administrators
of color in Oregon. In 2017, the Woodburn School District was the first to have an elected
Latino majority school board in Oregon’s history. The School Board overwhelmingly supported
the “All Students Belong” policy passed last November. Equity is a cornerstone to this
community and it shall not be used as a scapegoat to hide from taking personal responsibility.
We realize the past year has been one of uncertainty due to the pandemic, and its impact on
our employees, their families, our community and its students. Adding an administrative
change is stressful and unsettling for everyone, but it was necessary. We will continue to share
information as we are able to do so. In the meantime, we ask that you allow the legal process
to run its course, and refocus on helping our students transition back to classroom learning.

Anthony Medina serves as chair the Woodburn School Board.