FCPS committee approves forwarding new flag display, salute policy to board; regulation to spell out details

The Frederick County Public Schools policy committee voted unanimously Aug. 27 to send a newly drafted Flag Display and Salute policy (policy 4‑25) to the full board for first reading, while directing staff to develop a companion regulation that will set out care, maintenance and a process for handling concerns.

Staff recommended abandoning the prior policy text and starting fresh because much of the older language was operational and better suited for regulation. The new draft cites state law (Education Code §7‑105) and federal flag statute (4 U.S.C. §7) for displaying the American flag while treating the Maryland flag as permissive.

The policy allows other flags or banners in school spaces "so long as [they are] not disrupting the learning environment or infringing on the rights of others," language staff said was drawn from the Tinker standard used in education law. Staff explicitly recommended defining "flags" to include banners, trophies and similar displays so there is no ambiguity about whether wall hangings fall under the policy.

Committee members raised questions about handling expressive symbols — such as Pride or political flags — and staff advised those cases will be handled primarily through the regulation and the district’s existing policy on controversial issues (policy 5‑16), which requires presenting such topics in an impartial, curricular context when appropriate.

The draft includes a statement that students and employees may opt out of participating in the pledge of allegiance; staff added a clarification that opting out is permitted but does not allow disruptive interference with others who choose to participate.

The committee approved a motion to forward the new policy to the board for first reading with technical edits and confirmation that the pledge text in the policy will match the statute. The motion passed unanimously.