After heated debate and public comment, Lewiston School Committee advances flag-display changes and deletes obsolete policy
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Summary
The committee advanced changes to district flag-display policy to limit non-curricular classroom flags to materials pertinent to lessons (first reading) after extended discussion and public comment from teachers and union leaders; it also voted to delete policy IKAB on reporting student progress as redundant.
The Lewiston School Committee moved on Dec. 15 to advance edits to the district’s flag-display language and to remove an obsolete assessment reporting policy.
Members debated adding a sentence to IMDB (flag displays) stating that "no other flags will be on display or remain on display unless it is pertinent to the current lesson or used for illustration." Proponents said the change would keep classrooms focused on curriculum and avoid politicized displays; opponents, including classroom teachers and the local teachers’ association, warned the amendment could harm students’ sense of belonging and create enforcement burdens for administrators.
"The presence of other flags does not diminish the instruction. It strengthens it by allowing students to understand The US flag in a global context and to see themselves reflected in learning," said Jay Rich, a multilingual teacher at McMahon. Krista Saint Cyr, LEA president and multilingual instructional coach, said removing flags that represent students’ identities "sends one message that they belong here" and urged caution.
Member Janet Bowden and others argued for a narrower rule that limits ideological or political flags while allowing flags that reflect students’ national origins or classroom instruction. Superintendent Jake Langley and committee members referenced sample policies and ACLU guidance showing legal risk when districts partially restrict displays — the superintendent urged careful, district‑wide implementation if the policy is changed.
After public comment and discussion, the committee voted to move policies a–c (including IMDA/IMDB/JICA) forward for a first reading. The transcript records the motion and affirmative response to proceed with the recommended edits; public speakers had urged both sides of the issue during the meeting.
Separately, the committee voted unanimously to delete policy IKAB (student progress reporting), which the administration described as redundant after adoption of a more comprehensive assessment and reporting policy at a prior meeting.
The edits advanced on Dec. 15 are at the first‑read stage; the committee indicated it would seek additional public input and legal review before final adoption.
