A Wisconsin school board voted in support of a policy prohibiting teachers and employees from displaying gay pride flags and other objects deemed political by district administrators.
Tuesday, the Kettle Moraine School Board voted unanimously to maintain a rule of conduct that the superintendent recently interpreted to prohibit district employees from displaying political or religious messages, including as pride flags, Black Lives Matter posters, and We Back the Badge signs. Additionally, employees may not indicate their preferred pronouns in correspondence.
Following a legal analysis, Superintendent Stephen Plum recently informed the board that the district’s interpretation of a policy prohibiting staff members from using their positions to promote partisan politics, religious views, and propaganda for personal, financial, or non-financial gain has changed.
The majority of individuals who spoke at the crowded board meeting on Tuesday rejected the policy. The public discussion period was limited to one hour despite the crowd’s request to prolong it.
“If your policy states ‘nothing political,’ does that imply you cannot display a sign that reads ‘Support our Troops,’ ‘Believe Women,’ or ‘Save the Planet?’ Attorney Christine Donahoe of the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin stated, “According to some people’s definitions, all of these things are political.”
Donahoe stated that she is closely examining the policy and a similar one adopted by the school system in adjacent Waukesha last autumn.
Donahoe remarked, “It appears to be attacks on specific beliefs, such as LGBT groups and safe spaces for students of color.”
Two local high school students, Bethany Provan and Brit Farrar, have amassed almost 13,000 signatures on an online petition protesting the Kettle Moraine regulation.
Provan told WITI-TV that having a rainbow flag in your room does not constitute forcing one’s ideas on another. Simply stating that you are welcome and supported.