W. T. FLETCHER MEMORIAL MURALS - GRANT HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
The Alumni Association mission statement includes being a support system to Grant students – all Grant students former and current. The Alumni Association supports Grant High School students and the decision made by Superintendent Guerrero to have the murals removed per the request by the students. The Alumni Association has been informed that certain students have received hate mail or other direct contact. This is absolutely wrong and the Alumni Association does not in any way condone harassment of the students.
PPS SUPERINTENDENT ORDERS MURALS REMOVED
NOVEMBER 17, 2020
It is with a heavy heart that we bring news to all of you that Portland Public School Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero, with the support of the School Board, announced at the November 17, 2020 School Board Meeting that the Grant High School Fletcher Memorial Murals will be removed. We were not notified of the decision until shortly before that evening’s meeting giving us no chance to discuss the matter with the Superintendent or the board before the announcement or during the meeting.
The Superintendent’s memo “Removal of Fletcher Murals at Grant High School” can be found here.
We were deeply disappointed with the Superintendent’s decision-making process especially since we were told on multiple occasions that we would be included. Our requests to meet with individual school board members and with the Superintendent were acknowledged by only three board members. We also sent information packets to the board members and superintendent, but only the three with whom we met acknowledged that the packet was received.
We recognize and accept the objections that the students have raised. We hope a compromise can be reached that would respect those but still allow the murals, in an edited form, to remain where they are. That hope can only be realized, however, through further discussions with the district.
The elegant compromise solution presented to the Superintendent and the Board, created by Nina Olsson, art conservator, masks the sensitive areas while still portraying Carl Hoeckner's aspirational ideals that support the school district's commitment to racial equity and social justice. We are looking for the district to consider this solution. If acceptable to the district, we will seek the support of our donors.
Our issue has never been with the students who are remarkable young men and women and we hope all of you recognize their strength and fortitude and encourage you to respect them as well. The students presented their desire to remove the murals to the school board a year ago and it appears to us that the administration continued to meet only with the students to finalize the decision. The Alumni Association was asked to not discuss the issue publicly contributing to what we consider a lack of transparency throughout the proces.
We are equally disappointed with the loss of the benefit to Grant’s Music Department which would have been the beneficiary of any of the Leo Lester Browne Fund not used for the mural restoration.
We ask you to remain patient for a few more weeks to see if we can reach a compromise acceptable to the district and those who have donated to this effort to retain the murals. If we are unsuccessful, we will contact you with options for the return or other use of your donation.
Thank you all for your generosity, your support and understanding.
The Grant Alumni Association
The William T. Fletcher Memorial Mural Committee
It is with a heavy heart that we bring news to all of you that Portland Public School Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero, with the support of the School Board, announced at the November 17, 2020 School Board Meeting that the Grant High School Fletcher Memorial Murals will be removed. We were not notified of the decision until shortly before that evening’s meeting giving us no chance to discuss the matter with the Superintendent or the board before the announcement or during the meeting.
The Superintendent’s memo “Removal of Fletcher Murals at Grant High School” can be found here.
We were deeply disappointed with the Superintendent’s decision-making process especially since we were told on multiple occasions that we would be included. Our requests to meet with individual school board members and with the Superintendent were acknowledged by only three board members. We also sent information packets to the board members and superintendent, but only the three with whom we met acknowledged that the packet was received.
We recognize and accept the objections that the students have raised. We hope a compromise can be reached that would respect those but still allow the murals, in an edited form, to remain where they are. That hope can only be realized, however, through further discussions with the district.
The elegant compromise solution presented to the Superintendent and the Board, created by Nina Olsson, art conservator, masks the sensitive areas while still portraying Carl Hoeckner's aspirational ideals that support the school district's commitment to racial equity and social justice. We are looking for the district to consider this solution. If acceptable to the district, we will seek the support of our donors.
Our issue has never been with the students who are remarkable young men and women and we hope all of you recognize their strength and fortitude and encourage you to respect them as well. The students presented their desire to remove the murals to the school board a year ago and it appears to us that the administration continued to meet only with the students to finalize the decision. The Alumni Association was asked to not discuss the issue publicly contributing to what we consider a lack of transparency throughout the proces.
We are equally disappointed with the loss of the benefit to Grant’s Music Department which would have been the beneficiary of any of the Leo Lester Browne Fund not used for the mural restoration.
We ask you to remain patient for a few more weeks to see if we can reach a compromise acceptable to the district and those who have donated to this effort to retain the murals. If we are unsuccessful, we will contact you with options for the return or other use of your donation.
Thank you all for your generosity, your support and understanding.
The Grant Alumni Association
The William T. Fletcher Memorial Mural Committee
The Leo Lester Browne Charitable Fund Challenge has ended. Our goal of $100,000 was matched by the Charitable Fund.
We are no longer accepting donations to the mural fund. Donations designed for this fund will be applied to the general fund.
We are no longer accepting donations to the mural fund. Donations designed for this fund will be applied to the general fund.
June 3, 2017 - Last time the Fletcher Memorial Murals were seen publicly.
Mural being protected during the school remodeling.
