Another iteration of a draft flag policy for Marblehead schools is moving forward with two key changes, one of which appears to give students an avenue to make flag and banner requests.
A new proposal, presented at the April 3 School Committee meeting, still permits only U.S., state and POW/MIA flags, but allows the superintendent to make recommendations to the School Committee for additional banners and flags. The School Committee could ultimately reject the superintendent’s recommendation, according to committee member Sarah Fox.
Interim Superintendent John Robidoux told the Current on April 4, “I will always seek input from stakeholders when and where it is appropriate, so yes, if the policy is adopted as written after the three readings, stakeholders will have a voice.”
The newest version will also include language specifying that the policy is for flags and banners “affixed” to school property. It would not regulate student clothing or other personal items like bumper stickers and locker signage.
Marblehead High School student Nina Johnson, who submitted a counter-proposal with her peers that would give students more voice in the policy, reacted to last night’s updates.
“Although the School Committee’s new policy is a step in the right direction in including some input from the superintendent, student and faculty voice should be included more directly into decisions about banners that are displayed in our own school,” Johnson said. “The students have put forward a policy that accomplishes this and complies with legal concerns, and it should be reconsidered. Additionally, the School Committee should listen to the educators who continue to stand up for the First Amendment rights of students and teachers.”
Robidoux initially expressed concern about his role in the latest policy, asking for more clarity.
“Here’s what I don’t want to happen,” he said. “I don’t want it to end up being a situation where my feelings on the subject matter, my way of thinking about a certain flag or banner, is going to influence my recommendation, and it’s going to come back on me… I want no part of that.”
School Committee Chair Jenn Schaeffner said the superintendent would use the criteria that any additional flags or banners should “reflect the mission and values of the district” and not of the superintendent himself.
The committee agreed that it would be up to Robidoux to “operationalize” the process by which people come to him with flag requests.
The April 3 meeting was the first of three required readings of the latest policy.
Several people spoke about flags during public comment.
Carrying three flags made by students for a recent Glover event, Diane Gora said, “I believe this policy poses a significant risk of undermining the very fabric of the community, the welcoming our students and the freedom of expression. I feel the policy as proposed undermines teachers’ rights to be free from censorship in the classroom.”
Gora added, “Flags play a vital role in the elementary curriculum. Students learn about national flags to understand history and geography, exploring the significance of flags as symbols of countries and cultures around the world.”
In a March 19 letter, the Marblehead teachers union urged the School Committee to cease and desist creating a policy, saying it “violates the state and federal constitutions’ protections for free speech and expression. As a union of education workers we have grave concerns that the committee seems determined to restrict educators’ and students’ academic and intellectual freedom.”
Speaking in favor of the draft policy, resident Emily DeJoy said, “I firmly believe that if we allow teachers and students to determine on a case-by-case basis, it could lead to increased tension, added pressure on educators and feelings of exclusion among students who may not feel adequately represented. Our focus must remain on creating an inclusive, distraction-free learning environment that prioritizes education above all else.”
Resident Sharon Rich also supported a narrow flag policy.
“We could go on and on and find that there are numbers of flags that would represent many points of view and many types of cultures and many types of affiliations,” she said. “I doubt there would be room for any students in the school once we got the flags all up where they would potentially belong.”
Marblehead parent Angus McQuilken said that while he was glad some new ideas were incorporated into the policy, they don’t do enough to empower student and community voices.
“If they (the committee) can’t agree on a policy that protects the constitutional rights of students, teachers and the taxpayers and residents of Marblehead, such as the thoughtful proposal put forward by our students, then they should set this debate aside and move on to other topics that really need the School Committee’s attention,” McQuilken said.
Schaeffner said she would update the proposal again to incorporate language developed at the meeting and present the policy again at an upcoming meeting.
The School Committee meets next Thursday, April 17.
