PORTLAND, Oregon (PNN) - November 13, 2021 - A school board in Oregon that recently banned teachers from displaying symbols including those supporting homosexual pride and Black Lives Matter has abruptly fired the superintendent, apparently for failing to enforce the new policy.

Superintendent Joe Morelock was fired in a 4-3 vote by most of the Newberg School Board on Tuesday night, learning his fate during a public meeting over Zoom.

The conservatives who sealed Morelock's fate refused to comment on their vote. An earlier meeting had been held in private, but topics discussed have not been released.

Schools nationwide have become ideological battlegrounds, with arguments over unlawful vaccine and mask mandates, how racism is addressed in teaching, instruction related to sexuality, and gender-neutral bathrooms.

Conservatives say too many schools are choosing to teach lessons inspired by critical race theory, which is itself a racist philosophy that claims racism pervades every aspect of society.

They have expressed fury over lessons where children have been taught to see themselves as oppressors or victims depending on their skin color, as well as “affinity groups” composed entirely of black people. Those have been condemned as a woke form of segregation.

Board member Brandy Penner said Wednesday she believes the board members fired Morelock because he didn't aggressively implement their ban on controversial political symbols.

The policy forbids teachers from displaying “political, quasi-political, or controversial” symbols in classrooms, and was reportedly written in response to complaints about Black Lives Matter and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transsexual flags in schools.

Both had earlier been banned by the district. Threats ensued, prompting them to issue a more comprehensive set of guidelines about what was and wasn't allowed to be displayed.

The Board offered no explanation as they summarily fired Morelock, giving him 10 days left on the job.

Attempts to reach Morelock for comment were referred to the school district spokesman, who did not immediately return phone calls.