Reaction was swift to the School Committee’s 4-1 vote Thursday night to adopt a flag policy that may lead to the removal of Pride, Black Lives Matter and other flags and banners in Marblehead schools.
“While I am disappointed that the School Committee has once again disregarded the needs and voices of Marblehead students, very little surprises me after the last eight months,” Marblehead High School teacher Ashley Skeffington told the Current. “At this point, my only hope is for new leadership on the board with the coming election. This is frankly an embarrassment for Marblehead.”
The flag debate has roiled the community for more than 18 months, starting when a mother removed the Black Lives Matter flag without permission from the MHS cafeteria. The School Committee then reached out to its attorney to draft a policy regulating flags.
Despite vocal opposition from many students, teachers and community members, the School Committee presented and repeatedly tweaked a policy. The ultimate version allows, by right, only the U.S., Massachusetts and POW-MIA flags to be affixed to school property, along with six heritage month flags that can be displayed during respective months.
The superintendent may also recommend additional flags and banners, but the School Committee has final say. Teachers and students may appeal to the superintendent to display certain flags but may not address the School Committee.
School Committee member Al Williams, the sole dissenting vote Thursday night, spoke passionately, questioning the need for a policy.
“This policy creates more questions and legal uncertainty,” Williams said. “I’m skeptical of any policy that bans a portion of the community from petitioning a publicly elected board.”
Member Sarah Fox countered saying that, by not following the advice of the district’s lawyer, Marblehead would be open to liability. She also said that without a policy, anyone can demand to display a flag, no matter how offensive.
“We could wind up in a situation where someone sends something like a Nazi flag and asks us to hang it,” Fox said. “I do think there are people in the community who would do it, to make a point.”
Member Brian Ota, who angered some residents when he said some religious people may find the Pride flag offensive because it “does not represent traditional family values” switched course briefly saying, “I’d be just as happy to go back to no policy….whatever we throw out, it continues to create more headaches.” He ultimately voted for the policy.
MHS seniors Maren Potter and Nina Johnson released a statement Thursday night saying, “We are disappointed in the decision of the School Committee on the flag policy, but we are grateful to Al Williams for his commitment to including student voices. Despite this policy decision, we believe the fight for these symbols of inclusion in our schools is not over, and we need to focus on the elections on June 10. We encourage the town to get out and vote, and vote with the students’ and teachers’ voices in mind.”
The School Committee rejected a compromise proposal that would have given students more say in what flags are displayed in schools.
Marblehead teacher and hockey coach Mark Marfione is worried about how the policy will be implemented and how it will impact students in marginalized communities.
“How will this work in practice? Will committee members or administrators be asked to physically take down Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ flags from classrooms and hallways? That image is unsettling,” Marfione wrote in a letter to the Current. “Removing them sends a message that some people are less welcome in our schools.”
The School Committee and interim Superintendent John Robidoux did not answer questions about when or how current flags will be removed. They also failed to answer questions about how the policy impacts teachers’ choices in their classrooms. For example, can a teacher place a Pride flag on a desk?
Marblehead Education Association Co-President Jonathan Heller said the union is reviewing the flag policy and that it’s not yet clear whether it violates the collective bargaining agreement protecting “teachers’ personal and academic freedom.”
“As a union of education workers, we remain concerned that the committee appears increasingly intent on restricting educators’ and students’ academic and intellectual freedom, freedoms that are foundational to public education and democracy,” Heller wrote in a statement.
A substitute teacher in Danvers shared her concerns on Facebook after hearing about Marblehead’s decision.
“I live in Danvers, and while we have an amazing school committee, we have recently been in the news again because two select board members abstained from approving a routine banner (citing the town should remain neutral in “hot button” issues) advertising the town-sponsored annual Pride event,” wrote Lisa Silva.
She suggested the upcoming town election in Danvers is being viewed as a referendum on “this kind of censorship” and urged “solidarity.”
“We on the North Shore need to come together and stop this madness,” Silva wrote.
Supporters of the flag policy argued that identity flags distract and divide the community. The issue is already playing a role in the School Committee election on June 10. Members Sarah Fox and Alison Taylor are both running for re-election.
Supporters of the flag policy argued that identity flags distract and divide the community. The issue is already playing a role in the School Committee election on June 10. Members Sarah Fox and Alison Taylor are both running for re-election. Emily DeJoy is also running.
“I want to sincerely thank the School Committee for making what I believe is the right decision,” DeJoy wrote to the Current. “Our schools must remain neutral, welcoming, and inclusive spaces for all students, so they can focus on what truly matters — student achievement, free from unnecessary distractions.”
Candidates Kate Schmeckpeper and Henry Gwazda opposed the flag policy.
“Voters will have their say,” said parent Angus McQuilken. “Do they want a School Committee that focuses on culture war issues, or a committee focused on improving our schools? Do they want a committee that believes they can censor free speech in our community, or a committee that will stand up for free speech? I believe that most voters in this community see the need for new voices on our School Committee.”
