In a recent MCPS school board meeting, many issues were discussed including budget cuts and the recently approved charter schools. However, there was one issue that was brought up that stood out specifically. This was a complaint brought to the school board regarding the policy of pride flags.
The school board meets twice a month to discuss current issues facing MCPS. The issue of the rights of pride flags was brought up by a disgruntled parent, arguing to the principal of an MCPS highschool that a teacher’s display of a pride flag was in violation of the rule that no political affiliation should be shown in MCPS schools. This complaint was brought in front of the superintendent, where they were told it was not in violation, then to the school board, where a debate on whether or not pride flags are considered to have political affiliations. According to Grace Decker, a member of the MCPS school board, the tolerance of pride flags in school is important to allow students to feel welcome at schools and accepted in all parts of their identity.
Despite this debate, Decker said there will likely be no alteration to the policy regarding the ability for teachers and students to sport pride flags. She said that this debate “is not unique to Missoula” and that different state policies can influence a school board’s opinion on whether or not pride flags are considered to be a display of political affiliation or endorsement. Usually, however, the right to display these flags falls under the first amendment right to free expression. Decker noted that it is important that “freedom of expression does not stop at the schoolhouse door.”
Decker said that she sees the pride flags as “a symbol of inclusion,” rather than a political message. The person who complained about it, claiming it was a political message, initially took it to the principal in November, where it was determined the flag was not political in nature. Unsatisfied with this interpretation, the complaint was taken all the way to the school board meeting, where it was also determined to be without political affiliation.
It is rare that policy on things like pride flag display is changed within a whole district, rather it is mostly seen to differ on a school-by-school basis. Schools do have the right to create their own rules of conduct, that may differ despite being in the same district. “It is not legislatures’ job to tell schools how to do their work,” said Decker. This refers to the fact that rules regarding what students and teachers are allowed to do, if not explicitly stated otherwise, are entirely up to the individual schools themselves.
For Decker, she said that the most important thing to focus on is that students are assured their safety is being cared about. That really is the question regarding these complaints, is it more important for the parents that disagree with the display, yes it is almost always parents, or the teachers and students who choose to sport a flag. The safety and comfort of the students in schools and their ability to learn is of the utmost importance in schools.
