In a contentious meeting on Thursday night, the Beaverton school board voted 5-2 to hire a neutral, third-party investigator to address several community complaints against board member Tammy Carpenter.
The decision has raised eyebrows, given its unusual nature, and stems from numerous complaints related to Carpenter’s outspoken pro-Palestinian views expressed on social media.
Tammy Carpenter, who labels her opinions as her own, identifies herself as both a Beaverton school board member and an adjunct assistant professor at Oregon Health & Science University.
One particular Instagram post cited by multiple complainants shared a message from the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, which accused Israel of ethnic cleansing, genocide, and apartheid throughout its history.
Only Carpenter and outgoing board member Ugonna Enyinnaya opposed the hiring of the outside investigator.
The investigator’s findings will be reported back to the board, which will consider whether further action is warranted against Carpenter.
Currently, Oregon school board members can only be removed through a voter recall, although censure or formal reprimand by peers is possible for misconduct.
For instance, last December, Medford school board member Michael Williams faced censure following a third-party investigation that revealed violations of district policies concerning employee treatment and administrative intervention.
The Beaverton school board’s standards of conduct mandate respect and dignity from board members in their interactions, including online and on social media.
Carpenter has been a polarizing figure in her two years on the board, frequently aligning with the Beaverton Education Association and supporting legislative efforts such as one aimed at granting striking workers access to unemployment benefits, a position opposed by the Oregon School Boards Association.
Tensions surrounding Carpenter escalated in April when the Beaverton Education Association organized a “Teaching Palestine” workshop.
Union leaders claimed the workshop aimed to educate teachers on the region’s history to better address students’ inquiries regarding the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict.
However, some Jewish parents and educators believed the material presented was biased and potentially anti-Semitic.
In the same timeframe, Carpenter shared an Instagram post commemorating the 77th anniversary of Israel’s founding, which referred to the state’s actions as “77 years of ethnic cleansing, displacement, colonization, occupation, resistance, apartheid, genocide, pogroms, sumud and nakba.”
This post drew criticism, including a complaint from Bob Horenstein, the public affairs officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.
In his message to board chair Karen Perez-Da Silva, Horenstein expressed concern over Carpenter’s comments about Israel, stating that her remarks contribute to a hostile environment within the Beaverton School District.
He emphasized that such activism alienates Jewish families and students, especially those with Israeli roots, leaving them feeling marginalized and unsafe.
In total, at least six individuals submitted complaints against Carpenter, which prompted the school board’s decision to hire an investigator.
Despite the backlash, Carpenter remains steadfast in her commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
On Friday, she asserted the importance of ensuring every student in the district feels “safe, seen and supported,” especially during these challenging times marked by global unrest and national issues.
Critics of the board’s decision have questioned the allocation of district resources for such an investigation.
Claire Reneau, a teacher and parent within the district, voiced her concerns via email to The Oregonian/OregonLive.
She questioned why the Beaverton School District would direct its limited resources towards examining unfounded allegations of antisemitism, particularly while it faces so many pressing needs.
This investigation into Carpenter underscores ongoing tensions within the Beaverton community as various stakeholders seek to navigate complex issues surrounding political expression and community safety in educational settings.
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