Board updates policy 5026 to add U.S. flag display and pledge instruction after state requirement cited

The Union Public Schools Board of Education voted to approve a revision to board policy 5026 to include the display of the United States flag and instruction on the pledge of allegiance.

"It's a revision that didn't change any of the wording. We've added the display of The United States flag and some instruction, policy about that. And then as well as the pledge of allegiance and the reason why this policy had those additions is it is now a state requirement that we have those 2 topics in our board policy," Doctor Nelson said when presenting the proposed revision. Nelson told the board the changes do not represent a change in practice for the district and said recitation of the pledge and flag display are already regular classroom practice.

Nelson asked the board to approve the revision before the district’s regional accreditation officer visits the following morning; she said the officer would allow more time but it would be "icing on the cake" to have the policy in place already. The board moved and approved the revision; the transcript records Miss McAdams, Mr. Nguyen and the board chair voting yes.

The transcript does not identify the specific state statute or code that requires the policy language; the presenter described it only as a "state requirement." The board record shows this was a routine policy update, not a change in day‑to‑day practice.

The board approved the revision and continued with remaining agenda items.