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Board approves Heroes Month resolution, asks student senate to lead recognition plan
Summary
After a lengthy debate over flying flags for local first responders and veterans, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District board approved the Heroes Month resolution without adding mandatory flag-flying language and directed the student senate, including the two students who proposed the measure, to develop sustainable, site-level ways to honor local heroes.
The San Ramon Valley Unified School District Board of Education voted to approve a Heroes Month resolution on Aug. 18 and directed the student senate to develop sustainable, site-level recognition activities rather than imposing a districtwide, mandatory flag program.
District executive director Debbie Pettish presented background and community feedback on proposals to fly separate flags for local police, fire, emergency medical services and veterans during May, saying staff had removed specific flag language earlier after partners raised concerns that some proposed flags were not universally recognized and had become controversial. "The resolution is really intended to honor the hard work of our local heroes," Pettish told the board, and staff offered alternatives including banners, school-led events and student-driven activities.
Trustees, students and union leaders debated the merits and logistics of flying specialty flags. Trustee Laura Brat and others raised practical concerns about custodial burden, unclear recognition value and precedent-setting: "Once we do it for one organization or resolution, then it opens the door for all the rest," Brat said, urging alternatives that would be sustainable across dozens of school sites. Student leaders told trustees the original idea of flags was aimed at "maximum visibility," but board members and student-senate representatives argued that panels, on-campus visits from first-responder organizations, or career-focused activities could better engage students.
Several trustees also noted the district lacks an explicit flag policy and that flying new flags would require board approval at the site level. Superintendent Kamik and staff suggested using the student senate and site principals to pilot visibility strategies that would not overburden custodial operations or create confusing imagery on campuses.
The board approved the resolution as presented but added direction for the student senate to collaborate with the two students who proposed the measure and with staff to develop a practical, sustainable package of recognition activities for May. The action was carried by voice vote; the meeting record shows the vote as "all in favor" and did not include a roll-call tally.
