The Board of Education on Wednesday night directed the school district to fly the Pride flag year-round on all school campuses after a decision to take down the flags at the end of the last school year sparked controversy and raised questions about the district’s commitment to inclusivity.
“I want everyone to know that the school district and board fully supports our LGBTQ community – students, staff, and families,” said Board President Veronica Anderson Thigpen in her opening remarks.
Before expressing their full support for the display of the flag, the Board apologized for the manner in which the flags were taken down, and sought to explain why the flag policy was under review. Under California law, school boards make the decision about which flags may be flown on campuses. The Board first passed a resolution in May 2021 to fly the Pride flag on school campuses during Pride month in June, a resolution that has been renewed every year since. According to the district and board, the flags were kept up longer than a month on some campuses — it was unclear how long, the superintendent said. She asked the Board to give clear direction on how long they wanted the flags to be displayed.
The disappearance of the flags from school campuses was noticed when school resumed in August and students, parents, and staff expressed their concern and outrage at the August 28 board meeting. The school district then sent out a survey to the parent community asking for feedback on the flag matter and “other ways to create a sense of belonging in the school community.” In her memo to the Board on Oct. 9, the Superintendent said “survey results indicated significant interest in not only flying the Pride flag year-round, but also in exploring other ways to enhance support for our students.”
“We have to listen to our students and staff,” said Trustee Cory Smegal. “Why wouldn’t we do something that is positively impactful on our most vulnerable students?” She cited one of the district’s core values — equity — as a guiding principle in her support of flying the flag throughout the year. “If we are going to create an environment to thrive, we have to think about all our students, and prioritize students’ emotional wellbeing,” she said.
Students, parents, and staff spoke about the symbolism of the Pride flag and how important it was for them to see it publicly displayed, with some noting how it served as a beacon of safety and welcoming.
APT President Dr. Elise Marks said teachers gave a near-universal “yes” in a survey about the issue — “your teachers want that flag flying for you,” Marks said, addressing students.
A student petition calling for PUSD to fly the Pride flag all year round had 591 signatures on Friday.
No members of the public made public statements against flying the flag. Nevertheless, Hawn said emails to the district — borne out in survey results — found “we have many people who want it up, and we have many people who do not want it up.”
Trustee Hilary Cooper asked that the flags be immediately displayed on Friday, Oct. 11 which is National Coming Out Day.