At a 90-minute forum, about 25 Marblehead High School students shared their strong opposition to a draft policy that would lead to the removal of Black Lives Matter, Black History Month, Juneteenth and Pride flags and banners on school property.
The students sat down with School Committee members Jenn Schaeffner and Alison Taylor and interim Superintendent John Robidoux in the Marblehead High School library and submitted a counterproposal they say meets the committee’s legal concerns while still making students feel safe and welcome.
The draft policy proposed by Schaeffner and Taylor would allow only U.S., Massachusetts, Marblehead and POW-MIA flags on school property. It would lead to the removal of BLM, Pride and other identity flags in schools.
“The flags and banners that are currently hung in our school … are crucial to creating a safe, inclusive community showing that all students are important and represented,” said student Maren Potter. “What we are looking for is a policy that will give space for students to have a say in which flags are hung instead of just banning them all. The latter may be the most simple way to deal with this issue of creating a flag policy. However, I believe, like many in this room, that it is more important to create safe, inclusive learning spaces where students can thrive and feel comfortable being who they are.”
Students took turns sharing their thoughts.
“The Pride, Juneteenth and BLM flags show that our school is a safe and inclusive place for everyone, no matter their background or identity,” said one.
“Flags, especially Pride flags, are extremely important in making safe spaces in this school. Across America, homophobia/transphobia is a horrible event many LGBTQAI+ community members have to deal with,” said another. “These flags are symbols of safety and inclusion and must stay.”
The students presented a Google survey of 107 students, of which 106 opposed the School Committee’s draft policy.
Schaeffner explained that the Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that flags displayed on government property reflect the views and values of the institution.
“Here’s the challenge,” Schaeffner said. “Suppose someone wants to fly a flag you don’t agree with or you find offensive. There’s an obligation to show that. How do you reconcile that?”
Potter responded, “We would like to propose a new flag policy that has been reviewed by lawyers at GLAD-GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders. This policy abides by the Shurtleff v. Boston Supreme Court case you keep referencing, as well as takes into account all these voices you’ve heard today, in addition to the input of parents, teachers and other community members. We believe this policy would be more effective in protecting student voice and representation, which is crucial in creating a more inclusive community that represents all of its members, which is especially important in a school.”
The students’ policy would permit only the U.S., town and state flags to hang on flagpoles on school property.
“Then, within the schools, the decision rests in school administration, and we hope to further work with administration to incorporate students into these decisions, maybe through the new
Anti-Discrimination Committee or forming a board of students, staff and teachers,” Potter said.
Resident Angus McQuilken, who watched the forum online, said the students did an impressive job.
“Rarely have I been more inspired than I was today watching student leaders in Marblehead share their views, strongly, unanimously and in a clear voice, against a flag censorship policy in our schools,” McQuilken said. “The students put forward a well-reasoned, well-researched and balanced alternative policy that should form the basis of the School Committee’s deliberations going forward.”
Robidoux and School Committee members thanked the students for speaking out and sharing their proposal.
Schaeffner and Taylor have also committed to hosting a community forum on the flag policy. No date has been set for that yet.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
