The Black Lives Matter and Juneteenth banners, along with Pride flags, would be taken down before school starts in September if the School Committee approves a new draft policy that allows only the U.S., state, Marblehead and military flags on school grounds.
The School Committee’s policy subgroup met July 26 to review the new draft. It requires two more discussions before it can be voted on by the full School Committee.
“It’s pretty straightforward,” Schaeffner said. “I’d like to get this done before school starts.”
The new draft policy reads, “The Marblehead School Committee, as the governing and policy-making body of the Marblehead Public Schools, has the sole authority to determine that flags, banners and similar symbolic displays on school district property reflect the mission, vision and values of the school district and constitute the school district’s government speech. The School Committee has therefore developed this policy which is subject to the following rules: Flags that have official legal status — the United States flag, the Massachusetts state flag, the POW/MIA flag and the town of Marblehead flag — shall be displayed on school property. The school district shall also comply with the relevant provisions of G.L.c. 264, §8.”
That provision of state law generally prohibits displaying the flag or emblem of a foreign country outside state, county or municipal buildings and public schools, with an exception for public buildings other than schools when foreign dignitaries visit.
Schaeffer said interim Superintendent John Robidoux agrees with the new draft. Robidoux did not immediately return questions about the policy.
An earlier draft included language allowing students and others to petition the School Committee for permission to display other flags or banners for 30 days. The new version does not include that language.
Schaeffner explained that the draft policy would not prohibit signage for school events, sports, clubs and the like.
Resident Angus McQuilken spoke at the virtual meeting against the policy.
“As a homeowner, a taxpayer and a parent of a student in the schools, I’d like to say we don’t need a School Committee-established flag policy in Marblehead. I would encourage the School Committee to simply take this off the agenda,” McQuilken said.
He added, “The School Committee has bigger fish to try, as you know better than anybody. We have big challenges ahead.”
McQuilken also said that students and teachers should be involved in decisions about flags in their schools. And he warned that this policy might lead to legal challenges.
The flag controversy prompted students to lead a protest outside MHS in January. Many worried that removing the BLM banner, as well as Pride flags, in school would make LGBTQ+ students and students of color feel less welcome. Students demanded that they have a say in developing any flag-related policy, since they are the ones who see the flags every day.
School Committee members held listening sessions with MHS students. Reporters were not permitted to attend.
At a March public meeting, dubbed a “Conversation with the School Committee,” a MHS senior spoke about the flag issue.
“We are the people here everyday,” the student said. “You’re not in the schools. You don’t understand the support that people of color get from seeing these flags. You don’t understand the trials and tribulations of going through the school being micro-aggressed and being harassed in the hallways. This is a piece of our identity, and it shows people that they don’t need to shrink themselves when they come here.”
Also at the July 26 meeting, School Committee member Alison Taylor advocated for a policy change to reinstate a second recess every school day, especially for kids in grades K-6. She will meet with Robidoux and Assistant Superintendent of Learning Julia Ferreira to come up with a proposal. The second recess was dropped during COVID to create more time for learning during the school day.
