By Kourtney Ferrua, D.Ed. and Chief Cord Wood
The McMinnville School District and the McMinnville Police Department are united in our commitment to maintaining safe schools and a safe community for all students, staff, and families.
Recent incidents involving violence in our community are unacceptable and have raised understandable concern. While investigations remain ongoing, we want to be very clear: behaviors connected to intimidation, violence, group retaliation, weapons, or actions intended to project gang affiliation or influence will not be tolerated in our schools or community.
We recognize that, at times, individuals may seek to associate with or portray involvement in groups associated with antisocial or criminal behavior. Regardless of intent, these actions create fear, disrupt learning environments, negatively impact students and staff, and undermine the sense of community safety we work hard to build every day.
Our schools must remain places focused on learning, opportunity, relationships, and student success. Students and staff deserve environments that are safe, predictable, and free from intimidation or violence. Public spaces should remain free from violent activities like those we have seen recently. Public, private, and school properties should be free from tagging and vandalism.
McMinnville Police will continue to have an elevated presence around MHS and will enforce violations of state law and municipal code. We will continue working closely together to respond quickly and appropriately to behaviors that threaten the well-being of others. This includes collaboration between schools, law enforcement, families, and community partners to address concerns, provide support, and hold individuals accountable when necessary.
The McMinnville School District is cooperating fully in accordance with our Board Policies KN and KN-AR, which guide our partnership with law enforcement while protecting student rights. In addition, policies JFCEA & JFCEA-AR prohibit behaviors, symbols, intimidation, or activities associated with gang involvement, or actions that disrupt the educational environment or threaten the safety of others. Our approach remains focused not only on accountability, but also on prevention, intervention, and helping young people make positive choices and stay connected to school and communities.
We also want to reassure our families and community that our schools continue to be safe places for learning. Every day, dedicated educators, support staff, school leaders, and law enforcement partners work together to support students and maintain secure learning environments across our district.
This work requires all of us. We ask families and community members to continue partnering with us by encouraging respectful behavior, reporting safety concerns, and helping reinforce the message that violence, intimidation, and behaviors associated with gang culture are not welcome in McMinnville.
Together, we will continue to support our young people while protecting the safety and well-being of our community.
Kourtney Ferrua, D.Ed., Superintendent, McMinnville School District
Chief Cord Wood, McMinnville Police Department