Polk County Education
14A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • October 28, 2015
Gun policy still needs clarity
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
On October 29, 1965 Jim DeVault and Sue
Montgomery made a commitment to God and
each other to love and honor for the rest of their lives.
This commitment has held strong as they celebrate their 50th
wedding anniversary. They are blessed with two sons, Jeff
(Laurie), Corey (Nancy) and two granddaughters, Brittany and
McKenzie. They shared fellowship with family and friends.
DALLAS — Looking for a
way to clarify its policy on
staff possessing firearms at
school, the Dallas School
District has run into more
confusion, not less.
The district has interpret-
ed its policy to mean that
staff with concealed
weapons permits could
carry at school, a practice
the board doesn’t want to
change. That’s a reading that
the Oregon School Boards
Association agrees with, but
the district’s attorney, Paul
Dakopolos, doesn’t.
That only added more
wrinkles to a complicated
issue.
“It’s more troubling to me
that we have our counsel
and the state school boards
association telling us two
different things. That is a
huge red flag for me,” said
board member Jon Woods.
Dallas’ “public conduct on
school property” policy
states: “No person on district
property will bring, possess,
conceal or use a weapon as
prohibited by board policy
“Weapons in the Schools
and State and Federal Law.”
That policy applies to stu-
dents, not employees or
members of the public.
Federal law through the
“Guns Free School Zone Act”
prohibits the possession of a
gun on school property or
within 1,000 feet of school
grounds. Another federal
law, “Guns Free School Act”
requires schools to adopt a
“zero tolerance policy” and
expel students who possess
firearms at school.
But Oregon law overrides
federal law on the issue, al-
lowing guns on school prop-
erty if the owner has a con-
cealed weapons permit.
However, boards have the au-
thority to prohibit staff and
volunteers from possessing
firearms on school grounds.
State law, like federal law,
prohibits students from pos-
sessing firearms at school.
Dakopolos said the refer-
ence to “no person” in the
conduct policy could be in-
terpreted to mean staff, too.
OSBA’s reading is the op-
posite: “That is state law. The
only way you can deny them
that right is if you have a
policy prohibiting,” wrote
Peggy Holstedt, OSBA’s poli-
cy services director in an
email to district staff
For Woods and other
board members that differ-
ence underscored the need
for clarity.
“It should be clear on one
reading by most everyone, I
think,” Woods with. “That’s
really what I’m looking at.”
Bo a rd m e m b e r Mi k e
Blanchard suggested a
minor change in wording.
“Rather that referencing that
student policy, maybe it just
makes sense to reference
(the state law),” he said.
Assistant Superintendent
Dennis Engle said staff
would revise the policy and
bring it back to the board for
review and approval at a fu-
ture meeting.
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businesses. Costumes are encouraged for all ages! Trick-or-Treat bags can be picked up either
at the Monmouth Public Library (168 Ecols St. S) or at Petals & Vines (401 E.
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Every Tuesday 10:15 AM, Toddler Story Time for ages 18 mos. to 3 yrs. Monmouth Public
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Every Tuesday 7:30 PM - Al-Anon Family Groups, which includes Alateen for younger mem-
bers, meets at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, in Dallas. Al-Anon is an established community re-
source for people affected by another's use of alcohol. The resource can aid the recovery
process for the entire family through hope, comfort and loving interchange among members
having a common problem. For more information call 503-370-7363, leave a message - you
will be contacted.
Every Wednesday Helping Hands Emergency Food Bank, 10am to noon, Monmouth Chris-
tian Church, 959 Church St. W., Monmouth. For eligible community members; available every
Wednesday. 541-404-6517.
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Every Wednesday 10:15 AM, Preschool Story Time for ages 3-6 years. Monmouth Library,
168 S. Ecols St.
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Nov. 3
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165 E. Main St.
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Second and Fourth Tuesdays - 9:15 to 11 a.m. Mothers of Preschoolers (MoPS) meets at
Monmouth Christian Church, 959 W. Church St., Monmouth.
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Polk County Flea Market. 9 am to 3 pm.
Polk County Fairgrounds, 520 S Pacific Hwy W.
Rickreall. Polk County's oldest and largest market
with 183 tables selling antiques, collectibles, tools, etc.
Admission $1. For more info contact Deb Thomas 503-428-8224.
Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce—PEP Talks: Hiring Do's and Don'ts.
Presenters: Kathy Bolen and Kathryn Plummer, Western Oregon University. Henry Hill
Community Center (750 S 5th Street, Independence)
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Overview:
• Create an effective job description to achieve the desired pool of candidates
• Understand the questions you can legally ask and the ones you should avoid
• Identify candidate red flags
• Communicate effectively with references.
$10 for MI Chamber members. $15 for non-members. Email the Chamber
micc@minetfiber.com or call 503-838-4268 to reserve by noon Nov. 2nd.
Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, during which we
will hold elections for three new board of directors, as well as provide an overview of our
2015 programs and services and look ahead to 2016! 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Monmouth
Public Library (168 Ecols Street S, Monmouth). $11.00 boxed lunch from Main Street Pub
& Eatery. Fee incurred unless cancelation received via email to micc@minetfiber.com by
noon 11/2/15. Please note, our monthly forum will held on the first Wednesday of
November (11/4/15) rather than the regularly scheduled second Wednesday in lieu of
Veteran's Day on 11/11/15.
Veterans Day! Help us in honoring people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Thank you!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
& 28 Polk County Craft Festival. 9 AM to 5 PM. Two Buildings full! 150 craft spaces
filled with a variety of handmade crafts, wreaths , ornaments, ceramics, gift baskets,
cowboy art and all kinds of baking. Food Available on site. Admission is Free. Donations
accepted. Donations help 4H & FFA projects at the fairgrounds. Polk County Fairgrounds
& Event Center 520 S Pacific Hwy W. Rickreall.
Every Wednesday 6:30 PM - Al-Anon Family Groups, which includes Alateen for younger
members, meets at Trinity Lutheran Church at 320 Fir Villa Rd. in Dallas. Al-Anon is an estab-
lished community resource for people affected by another's use of alcohol. The resource can
aid the recovery process for the entire family through hope, comfort and loving interchange
among members having a common problem. For more information call 503-370-7363, leave a
message - you will be contacted.
Every 2nd Wednesday Monmouth-Independence Chamber lunch forum. 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Location changes. Please call Jean Love or visit our Calendar of Events at micc-or.org for more
information. 503-838-4268
Every 3rd Wednesday each month. BINGO at the Farm, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. Come play
BINGO in the Chatoe out at Rogue Farms. Join us every third Wednesday of the month through
2014! So bring your family and friends and get ready to win! Boards, daubers, and prizes pro-
vided! Rogue Farms Chatoe Tasting Room, 3590 Wigrich Road Independence, OR
Every Thursday 7 p.m. 314 Cottonwood Way, Monmouth. Polk and Marion County Women
meet to discuss and research alternative/safer approaches to conventional treatments of hor-
monal imbalance.
Every 2nd Thursday 7:00 PM Luckiamute Watershed Council (LWC) open meeting. Mon-
mouth Volunteer Hall. Info: 503-838-8804
Every 3rd Thursday After Hour Mixers with Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Com-
merce. Chamber members and friends are invited to join us for our FREE monthly after-hours
mixers. Mixers are held the third Thursday of each month from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at member
locations. Registration is requested to help the host site properly prepare. Attendees are en-
couraged to bring a small giveaway (less than $10) to promote your business or organization.
For location and or more information, contact Jean Love 503-838-4268 or visit our Calendar of
Events at micc-or.org for more information.
Every Friday TOPS-Weight Loss Group meets at the Monmouth Church of Christ, 127 Heffley
St. N., Monmouth. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more information please feel free to contact Marilyn
at 503-930-7936.
Every 1st Saturday 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monmouth Senior Center host breakfast. All you
can eat, Adults $6 Donation, Children 12 & under $3 Donation. For more info: 503 838-5678
First Saturday 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m.-3 p.m.-Crafter’s Cottage at the Mon-
mouth Senior Center, 180 S. Warren St. Handmade items, watercolors, needlepoint, towels,
bead jewelry, dolls, blankets, sweaters, jellies, etc....New items always arriving!