Teachers union: Gresham High School has become unsafe for students, staff

Gresham High School teachers and classified staff held a “vote of no confidence” against school leadership and district administration after growing concerns around student and staff safety.

After two years of alleged growing violence within the schools halls, including “gang activity” and “students bringing weapons for protection,” the Gresham-Barlow Education Association announced its vote Tuesday, April 30. In total 64 staff members backed the vote, nearly 94% in favor.

In addition to general safety improvements, the union is calling for the removal of Principal Erika Whitlock.

“Gresham High School educators believe our students and families deserve the highest quality of education in a safe environment,” the union wrote in a statement. “Student behavior and a lack of safety for students and staff are the result of broken systems, not the cause of those broken systems.”

The union said school leaders and the Gresham-Barlow School District have been unable or unwilling to hold students accountable for negative behaviors.

In response, the district wrote: “The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority. Gresham High School, like many high schools, has been experiencing challenging situations impacting school safety.”

The district said it has been working with school administrators to provide support and solutions.

“We have confidence in the administration at Gresham High School and will be reaching out to union leadership to discuss their specific concerns,” the district wrote.

Those concerns are lengthy.

The union cites crowded hallways with dozens or hundreds of students skipping class without consequences; students bringing weapons to class for protection from their peers; and fights that have increased in brutality in recent years.

Other allegations include former students (including those expelled) showing up on campus without facing consequences; students feeling unable to use certain restrooms due to dangerous situations happening within; gang activity; and issues within the Special Education department going unresolved.

“Gresham High School staff urge the School Board to stand up for students and appoint a new principal who will be a team leader,” the union wrote.

The Gresham Police Department suspended its School Resource Officer program because of staffing and funding woes, with those serving in the role pulled to patrol positions. But the program at Gresham High was ended a year earlier in 2021 after accusations by students of color that they were racially profiled by the officer.

Though officers are no longer stationed within schools, the department still offers consultations upon request. Thus they could weigh-in on future discussions around safety within Gresham High.

Most of the recent incidents have not reached the level of police response.