After months of debate, board removes directive to create replacement district poster series

The Lakeville Area Schools board on March 18 amended its January action and removed a prior directive requiring the district to create and install a replacement, district‑sanctioned poster series.

Background: The poster series controversy began earlier this winter when the board directed staff to replace a previously installed “Inclusive” poster series with new posters emphasizing academic excellence and inclusion. Two of the original posters were identified in pending litigation; the board’s January directive sought a replacement series to reflect the board’s guidance. The March 18 meeting included extended public comment, multiple motions and detailed discussion about process, policy and the district’s role in producing wall graphics.

What the board decided: After debate and several procedural votes, the board voted to amend the January 28 directive and remove the requirement that the administration produce a districtwide replacement poster series. The amendment passed in roll-call form with all members voting in favor, as recorded in the meeting transcript.

Administrators’ approach and operational steps: Superintendent Michael Bauman said administration will proceed to remove the posters that the board previously directed taken down during spring break, consistent with the earlier board action. Bauman also said staff will follow district policy and guidance while the board considers any further policy work. He emphasized the transition is intended to reduce legal and operational risk while giving the district time to consider whether a centralized poster program is appropriate.

Board debate and key themes: The meeting included strong, often emotional statements from board members and residents. Some directors said the district should stop “being in the poster business” and let individual schools and principals manage hallway messaging; others argued it is important for the board to approve messaging placed on walls to remove any questions about process or public-forum claims. Several members pressed for the board to review and, if necessary, revise policy 5.35 (the policy referenced in litigation) before describing or approving additional district signage. Director Brian Thompson described the debate as “a sad state of the world if we can’t even say a statement that everyone is welcome,” encapsulating the intensity of the discussion.

Legal and procedural context: Board members and staff repeatedly referenced process questions that had been raised in the litigation and in public comment — whether the posters had been adopted with adequate stakeholder involvement and whether their placement created an impermissible “public forum” under the board’s policies. Several members urged the board to study policy 5.35 and related procedures before directing new district-level signage.

Next steps: Administration will remove the specific posters the board previously ordered removed during spring break as directed by the board’s earlier vote; the board will schedule further review of policy 5.35 and may return with policy changes or more specific guidance at a later meeting. The board’s amendment rescinding the obligation to produce a new districtwide poster series also ended the immediate effort to install a new district series this spring.

Ending: The board’s March 18 amendment replaces the January directive to create a new districtwide poster series with a directive to follow policy and to pursue policy review; no new districtwide poster program will be produced unless the board later gives a fresh directive.