Tullahoma board adopts policy limiting classroom flags and displays after extended public comment

The Tullahoma City Schools Board of Education voted to adopt Board Policy 4.4 — "Flags and Other Displays" — on a first and final reading, after an extended public-comment period that included speakers on both sides of the issue. The motion to accept the policy was moved by Rosie Graham and seconded by Andy Witt; the board recorded one member, Ms. Stidham, as opposed.

The policy, as read into the record by a district designee, says that "no flag or other displays ... other than that of United States of America and the state of Tennessee may be displayed in or on Tullahoma City school buildings, including classrooms, unless it's an official country, state, TCS school, post-secondary institution, or United States military branch flag used solely for educational purposes." The reading further states that "any other flags or other displays ... including but not limited to political, cultural, or personal, are prohibited from being displayed ... unless it is directly related to the curriculum or other school-sanctioned event or program." The policy also includes a written-exception and appeal process: a principal or designee reviews requests and denials may be appealed to the director of schools or designee within five business days; that decision is final, and approved displays may be revoked if they cause a material disruption.

Supporters of maintaining pride flags told the board that visible symbols can signal safety for LGBTQ students and lower suicide risk. "To us, a pride flag is a message that we are welcome to exist here," said Meadows Frallen, who identified herself as a Tullahoma graduate and transgender woman. "The pride flag does not encourage the observer to think a certain way politically ... To us, a pride flag is a message that we are welcome to exist here, that at least one person in the room doesn't think we deserve to be excluded." Avery McLean, who graduated from Tullahoma High School in 2024, told the board, "We have already lost one student from our school system. We cannot afford to lose any more." Laura Hatmaker, who identified herself as a Coffee County Pride Group volunteer and parent, added, "A pen is all it takes for a child to know they're okay with me, and sometimes so is a flag."

Speakers opposed to classroom pride flags argued that classrooms should remain politically neutral and that only the U.S. and Tennessee flags are needed to represent all students. "The American and the Tennessee flag already represent everyone in the room," said Daniel Barry, who urged the board to "reaffirm a simple principle, that our classrooms are for education, not ideology." Other commenters asked that policy drafts be posted with agendas for public review prior to board action.

Board and administrative discussion focused on definitional and implementation questions: how to define a "flag" versus other displays; how to handle banners, team or university flags used to promote post-secondary opportunities; and how to distinguish curriculum-related displays from personal or political displays. Administration told the board the implementation will be phased: the leadership team will be trained first, then principals and staff will review classroom and building displays and submit exception requests where appropriate. The district indicated it hopes to be largely compliant in the second semester but said full implementation will take several weeks and building-by-building review.

The policy text includes guidance to display the American flag and Tennessee flag "in accordance with proper flag etiquette, as outlined by United States Flag Code and applicable state regulations" and requires school personnel to maintain displays in good condition. The policy establishes a written exception process: clubs, teams or organizations seeking an exception must submit an image of the display and justification; if denied at the building level the appeal goes to the director of schools with a five-business-day response window.

Board member Brock Compton addressed concerns about student safety and reporting, saying attendees should report discrimination or retaliation: "If anything like that's going on ... contact Dr. Stevens, and we're here for you." Several board members praised the committee and administration for drafting a comprehensive policy and acknowledged strong community interest on both sides.

Policy 4.4 will be posted on the district website and forwarded to the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) for review; the board approved the policy on a first and final reading at the meeting.