Events and Information

As the County Superintendent of Schools and a 25-year resident of Napa, I join Napa Police Department Chief Robert Plummer and other elected officials in Napa County to condemn racism, bigotry, and abject cruelty, regarding the events leading to the death of George Floyd. Thanks to the citizens of Napa County for ensuring the protests in our town remained peaceful, and for serving as excellent role models for our children of what peaceful protest looks like. As communities across the country grapple with these issues, I believe public schools can play an important role in creating an honest conversation about racial injustice. What I appreciate about Napa County is that there is an incredible commitment to work together to solve our problems and advocate for change. Ultimately, it is our young people who will lead the rest of us on this path to a more equitable and hopeful future. To our students and staff who are hurting right now: We support you and we stand with you.

A statement from Dr. Barbara Nemko, Napa County Superintendent of Schools, June 12, 2020:

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Pride month commemorates the breakthrough moment in New York City in 1969 when the LBGTQ+ community stood tall and demanded the right to live freely, fully, and authentically. We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with them as citizens living in a country founded on the guiding principles of the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The right to use your voice and advocate for progress is an important lesson for the students we serve.

To support our LGBTQ+ staff, our Board will be reviewing our policies related to discrimination and equality, and will be considering a resolution to fly the Pride flag each June, beginning in 2021. We want to assure every member of the NCOE family that your work place is a safe space, no matter your sexual orientation, race, gender or religion.

There is a popular quote on the Internet, “New beginnings are often described as painful endings”. The world right now can feel despondent and hopeless, but I believe working together we can come out on the other side stronger and united. Let’s start a conversation at NCOE about the changes we can make to do our part to improve the world we live in for our students and staff.