BEL AIR, Md. — Dozens gave their opinions to the Harford County Board of Education throughout the public remark session of a gathering on Monday evening, discussing a coverage proposal which might limit which flags can fly in schools.
Only the American flag, the Maryland flag, and the Harford County flag could be allowed, in addition to flags as a part of a brief unit of examine throughout the authorised curriculum, flags that denote a recognition of feat, sports activities flags, faculty banners, or different international locations’ flags as a part of a multi-national show.
Some say the county is already united below widespread authorities flags, and the coverage would jettison ‘distractions’ and ‘politics’ from the classroom. Others say the coverage would result in children in already-marginalized teams feeling much more so.
READ MORE: Harford County school board considers solely permitting sure flags in schools
“The proposed flag coverage is lengthy overdue,” stated one speaker.
“All that flag says is that, it is a secure surroundings for you, you possibly can specific your self,” stated one other.
“Why do we now have to have a coverage concerning flags, when in my 20 plus years of instructing, this has been a non-issue?” one instructor commented.
The board itself didn’t resolve on the coverage; that vote will come at a later date.
A gaggle outdoors the school constructing waved American flags earlier than the assembly; some displaying assist for the conservative activist group ‘Moms for Liberty.’
“We simply needed to rally across the flag, and let individuals know it is a authorities school, and that is the flag of the federal government, and that is the flag that must be flown in schools,” Suzie Scott, chair of the group’s Harford County chapter, stated Monday.
Inside the school constructing, on February 26, the board mentioned the proposal. Some addressed it once more in their opening feedback Monday evening, anticipating community enter.
“For the flag coverage,” Terri Kocher, a school board member, defined, “this coverage covers what’s displayed by the school, not what any particular person wears at school – and guaranteeing that each one people really feel welcome and secure. Not simply any specific teams. Again, we have to refocus on areas the place enchancment is important. These insurance policies are instruments to information our school system in that course”
A vote on the school system’s coverage on ‘controversial subjects’ dialogue, scheduled for a Monday evening vote, was tabled.
