This story was updated with new information on Monday, March 3, at 1:30 p.m.
School Committee members Jenn Schaeffner and Alison Taylor plan to meet Friday, March 7, at 11:30 a.m., to discuss a new draft flag policy for Marblehead schools. Schaeffner told the Current that she shared information from two recent flag forums, as well as a counterproposal by students, with the district’s lawyer and that he is writing a new draft plan for discussion on Friday. That meeting is virtual and open to the public.
Two earlier drafts permitted only U.S., Massachusetts, Marblehaed and POW/MIA flags, which would lead to the removal of Black Lives Matter, Juneteenth and Pride flags.
About 100 people joined an emotional community forum Wednesday, Feb. 26, to share their feelings about a proposal to allow only U.S., Massachusetts, Marblehead and POW/MIA flags on school property and lead to the removal of Black Lives Matter and Juneteenth banners, along with Pride flags.
The crowd (in person and online) overwhelmingly supported giving students a voice in deciding which flags can be displayed inside their schools. Thirty-one people spoke against a plan that would remove Pride and BLM banners, while seven spoke in favor of the School Committee’s policy subcommittee’s early draft plans to restrict flags.
Veterans School eighth-grader Jack Manganis, 13, said most of his peers in the middle school didn’t know about the proposals to restrict flags, but once they found out they had strong feelings about them.
“I believe, like many of my peers at MVMS, that this flag ban policy is an unnecessary breach of freedom that takes away choice and stifles expression,” Manganis said. He had started an online poll two days earlier and had 60 students sign saying they wanted a say in developing any policy.
The School Commmittee’s policy subcommittee has met a few times with high school students regarding a flag policy, but not with Vets students.
“This flag ban policy is rooted in censoring expression and taking a choice away from the majority of people it will affect,” Manganis continued. “It is completely unwarranted and unwanted. Don’t just take my word for it. Give the students the forum we deserve, and you can see for yourself.”
On Feb. 20, about 20 MHS students sat down with Alison Taylor and Jenn Schaeffner, who make up the subcommittee, and submitted a compromise counter-proposal that would restrict flags on school flagpoles to U.S., state and Marblehead flags, but would give students a voice in deciding what flags and banners are displayed inside their schools.
Resident and speech therapist Jessica Brown said students deserve to have their voices heard on the flag issue and to see themselves reflected in the flags and banners on the walls.
“These flags are not just decorations; they are affirmations,” Brown said. “The Pride flag in our schools is not a political statement, but removing a flag is a political statement. We would be sending a message that LGBTQ kids are not valued. We know they would feel this way, because they are telling us.”
Resident Reece Dahlberg quoted guidance from the state Department of Early and Secondary Education reaffirming its commitment to support marginalized students, as the federal government orders removing diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
“Research consistently demonstrates that when schools take proactive steps to foster inclusivity through strong policies, affirming practices and supportive educators, students experience improved mental health, academic success and overall well-being,” Dahlberg quoted.
Resident Rob Henry, who is president of MassEquality, agreed that identity flags are not political.
“The student body in our town is a very diverse community with gay, lesbian, trans people, people of different races and ethnic groups,” Henry said. “It’s not political to acknowledge their existence. It’s reality. They are here. They are part of our community. It provides that mental space and safety for them to learn.”
Ian Kingsbury, who said he graduated from Marblehead High 15 years ago, saw it differently.
“I’m concerned about seeing something political — and that’s what these flags are,” he said. “For some people (the BLM flag) means racial progress; other people see Marxism, the destruction of the nuclear family and hatred of Israel.”
Former School Committee member Jonathan Lederman supported limiting flags and said the BLM banner represents antisemitism to some Jewish people.
“People are entitled to feel offended when they see that flag on the wall,” he said. “I guess I’m curious from this group: Would you support a policy that any flag could go up? Could a MAGA flag go up? Would that be OK?”
Lederman added that the School Committee should choose to either allow only U.S. and state flags, or all flags.
“Anything in between is really problematic,” he said.
Resident John DiPiano agreed.
“This building does not belong to students; this building belongs to people in this community,” he said. “When you put a symbol on a wall, you speak for everyone, even those who disagree with you. It strikes me that this conversation would be quite reversed if we were talking about … a Christian flag … or if we had a group of Christian conservative children who would like to put a flag up that is pro-life. Or if you had a group of students who wanted a flag that says there are only two genders.”
Parent Chris Bruell read a statement from resident Jordan Caress-Wheelwright, who planned to attend but could not due to a family emergency.
“This is deeply personal to me,” Caress-Wheelwright wrote. “I am part of an LGBTQ+ family. I spend my days at work as part of a team at GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders that is challenging laws and policies targeting our community. Right now, the LGBTQ+ community is under attack from our own federal government… The fact that I have to stand here today in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and try to convince you of the benefit of my son seeing flags and symbols that make him feel welcome and included as part of an LGBTQ+ family is outrageous.”
A student, fighting back tears, spoke with his mother about the importance of making marginalized students feel safe and welcome.
Two Marblehead teachers spoke in favor of giving students a say in deciding what flags can be displayed.
MHS English teacher Ashley Skeffington said students read Arthur Miller’s classic “The Crucible” and learn its connection to McCarthyism of the 1950s. But her students don’t have to look to the past to see other examples, she added.
“At this moment, in their time, this School Committee — a body meant to ensure the safety and well-being of our students — stands in front of their community to consider a policy that would ban symbols of safety and tolerance for our kids,” she said. “They will remember the decision you make.”
Skeffington continued, “I want my students to know that if the Pride flag hanging at the back of my room must come down, I will absolutely not be the one to remove it.”
The final speaker of the evening, Carolyn Mcmenemy, has two kids in Marblehead elementary schools.
“I didn’t see an official applause-o-meter here tonight, but based on the sheer amount of support vocalized by members of this community, you have your answer as to what this community wants,” she said. “I’m proud of the students who submitted a proposal for the School Committee to consider. I join everyone’s voices here tonight who shared their vocal support for those students.”
Schaeffner and Taylor said the flag discussion will continue at meetings in the next weeks and months. Any policy proposal requires three “readings” or discussions before being approved.
