The Marblehead School Committee voted to adopt a draft policy intended to govern which flags and banners may be displayed on school district property, a measure district leaders and residents said is meant to clarify decision-making after months of public debate.

The committee approved the draft with an edit adding “staff” alongside “students” in the paragraph that exempts personal items such as student art, locker decorations and personal items from the policy’s restriction. The approved draft also gives the superintendent authority to determine when displays reflect the district’s mission and values, and lists six heritage observances whose associated flags the district may display during their recognized month: African American History Month (February), Women’s History Month (March), Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May), Pride Month (June), Hispanic Heritage Month (mid-September through October) and Native American Heritage Month (November). The policy text included language that the U.S. flag, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag and the Armed Forces flags will be displayed.

Supporters said the policy gives administrators clear authority to manage displays in a way the district can legally defend. “We need guidance so the administration can act consistently,” said a School Committee member during debate. Opponents and some public commenters warned that any restriction could raise First Amendment concerns and pointed to recent court decisions about flags and government speech. At least one committee member said they remained concerned the policy might create legal or administrative problems and said they would not vote for it if they believed it unnecessarily restricted expression.

Public comment at the meeting ran for more than an hour, with residents and parents giving contrasting views: some urged preserving existing displays that make students feel welcome, while others warned about policy complexity and asked for broader inclusion of heritage observances. Commenters also asked whether the district had consulted METCO families or partner districts about how similar policies were implemented elsewhere.

The vote moves the draft policy forward; it will be implemented under the superintendent’s operational control, who the committee designated in the policy language as the official to recommend and oversee displays that reflect district mission and values. Committee members also directed administration to work out operational procedures for requests and appeals, and to coordinate with legal counsel as needed.

Committee leaders said the draft is intended to be an operational tool to avoid ad-hoc decisions at individual schools and to clarify what the school district considers government speech vs. private student or staff expression. They also noted the policy was the product of multiple subcommittee meetings and repeated edits after public feedback.

The committee’s approval was not unanimous in tone: some members said they supported the draft because it clarifies administrative responsibility and follows legal advice; others said they supported the edited draft reluctantly or asked for more time to consult legal counsel on narrow points. The committee added the staff/ student wording in response to public and internal comments and signaled it will track implementation and return with any necessary amendments.

The new policy will take effect under the superintendent’s operational oversight; the administration will publish the procedures for requesting displays and for filing complaints or appeals as required by the committee’s direction.

Committee members said the district will continue to welcome comment and may revise the policy if implementation shows gaps or unintended consequences.