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Carmel board votes unanimously to fly POW/MIA flag at all district sites
Summary
Trustees unanimously passed a resolution directing the National League of Families POW/MIA flag to be flown directly below the U.S. flag at each school and the district office; board members discussed legal guidance and agreed flags will be donated and raised together.
Trustee John Curzio introduced a resolution asking the Carmel Central School District Board of Education to fly the National League of Families POW/MIA flag immediately below the American flag on main flagpoles at all five school buildings and the district administrative office. Curzio provided local context, recalling Carmel graduates who were reported missing in action and noting a memorial and plaque at the high school honoring those veterans.
Board members discussed the legal and policy implications. Trustees asked whether adopting the resolution would open the door to many other flag requests; Vice President Dahl and Trustee Douglas said they recommended a policy committee review to define a process for future flag requests. Legal consultation cited during the meeting reportedly indicated there is no legal prohibition on flying the POW/MIA flag as described, and trustees repeatedly noted the POW/MIA flag is nationally recognized and has precedent for being flown alongside U.S. and municipal flags.
After discussion, Trustee Curzio moved the resolution and provided to the board a written draft of the language; a second was offered and the board voted by roll call with all trustees voting aye. Board members said they would accept donated flags and planned to raise them together at each campus. Several trustees stressed they wanted implementation details (flag size relative to U.S. flags, placement logistics) addressed before raising the flags.
The resolution directs district staff to arrange for flags to be donated and installed at Carmel High School, George Fisher Middle School, Matthew Patterson Elementary School, Kent Elementary School, Kent Primary School and the District Administrative Office Building. Trustees asked the policy committee to consider whether and how a standing district policy should govern future flag requests.
What happened next: the resolution passed unanimously by roll call; trustees requested legal/implementation follow‑up and said the superintendent will coordinate installation notices to the board.
