At last night's regular board meeting, the board of directors proclaimed February 1 - March 1, 2026 Black History Month, stating:
THIS RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT IN CLATSOP, COLUMBIA, TILLAMOOK, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES, OREGON RECOGNIZES FEBRUARY 1ST TO MARCH 1ST, 2026, AS “BLACK HISTORY MONTH,” CELEBRATING THE HERITAGES, CULTURES, AND HISTORY OF BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THEIR IMMENSE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNITED STATES.
WHEREAS, Carter G. Woodson established a formal effort in 1926 to ensure the accurate recognition and study of Black history. Building on that foundation, Black History Month has become an essential time to honor Black and African American lives, leadership, creativity, labor, and struggle; and
WHEREAS, Black and African Americans, despite generations of systemic oppression, exploitation, and exclusion, have made incalculable contributions to the social, cultural, political, and economic life of this nation, including indispensable labor that built the nation’s infrastructure and sustained its institutions then and now; and
WHEREAS, the Northwest Regional Education Service District recognizes that honoring these contributions requires more than time-bound remembrance: it requires honest teaching, attentive listening, institutional reflection, and sustained action to address the ongoing harms and inequities rooted in racism and white supremacy; and
WHEREAS, the Board is committed to ensuring equitable access to educational opportunity for Black and African American students, to recruiting, supporting, and retaining Black educators and staff, and to fostering inclusive environments where Black students, staff, and families are welcomed, affirmed, and able to thrive;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL EDUCATION SERVICE DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
- The Northwest Regional Education Service District officially recognizes February 2026 (February 1 — March 1, 2026) as Black History Month, and calls upon all members of the NWRESD community to reflect on and celebrate the enduring legacies and accomplishments of Black and African Americans.
- The Board calls upon all who serve our schools and communities to actively listen to Black voices, to deepen understanding of historical and contemporary Black experiences, and to take meaningful action to confront and eliminate bias, racism, and inequity within our institutions.
- The Board encourages active participation in Black History Month through appropriate activities, programs, curricula, partnerships, and community collaborations that promote learning, dialogue, joy, and purposeful reforms; including classroom instruction that centers Black history as American history and community partnerships that elevate Black leadership and civic voice.
- The Board pledges to continue identifying, developing, and implementing policies and practices that advance equity, inclusion, and justice for Black and African American students, staff, and families; including measures to increase representation of Black educators, strengthen culturally sustaining curriculum, and remove institutional barriers to opportunity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board will:
- Share and promote age-appropriate teaching resources and community learning opportunities across the region;
- Encourage NWRESD staff and component districts to embed Black history and perspectives throughout the year, not only during February; and
- Continue annual review of district policies and practices through an equity lens to ensure concrete progress.
This Resolution is effective immediately upon adoption this 14th day of January, 2026
Read the signed and adopted resolution: Board Resolution No. 26-006 Black History Month
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