Corvallis School Board to hear appeal limited to equity-policy compliance after tie vote

The Corvallis School District Board of Directors voted 6-0 on Aug. 6, 2025, to grant a hearing on an appeal limited to whether the district followed Policy ACB — “Every Student Belongs” — and Policy JBB, the district—s racial educational equity policy. The special meeting followed a closed executive session held under Oregon law to consider complaints against staff; the public session convened at 5:47 p.m. in the Corvallis School District Board Room, 1555 SW 35th Street.

The floor first saw a motion to decline the appeal and instead request that Superintendent Ryan Noss and the board review the two policies. That motion, moved by Director Chris Hawkins and seconded by Director Sami Al‑Abdrabbuh, resulted in a 3-3 tie (Yea: 3, Nay: 3, Absent: 1) and failed. The board then recessed for 15 minutes while Director Al‑Abdrabbuh drafted a revised motion. When the matter returned, Director Al‑Abdrabbuh moved and Co‑Vice Chair Shauna Tominey seconded a narrower motion to grant a hearing limited to whether the district had followed the policies named in the appeal; the board approved the motion 6-0, with Director Judah Largent recorded as absent.

Board members present at the meeting included Chair Luhui Whitebear and Co‑Vice Chairs Terese Jones and Shauna Tominey. The record notes that before the first vote Director Al‑Abdrabbuh disclosed having had contact with the appellant in April or May and characterized that contact as procedural and limited; he said his vote would be based on fact. The minutes show no further public debate recorded beyond the motions and votes. The board adjourned at 6:15 p.m.

The motion directs staff and the board to focus the hearing on the written records and communications identified in the appeal and to evaluate whether the district ensured enforcement of the named policies. The district scheduled no additional details in the minutes about hearing logistics, timelines, or further procedural steps.