Parents, students and teachers urge Piedmont schools to restore pride flags year-round

Dozens of parents, students and staff urged the Piedmont Unified School District board on Aug. 28 to restore pride flags at school sites year-round, saying the daily display is a concrete signal that LGBTQ students belong and can attend school safely.

Dr. Marks, introduced by the chair as a long-time district faculty advisor, described the flags as "a cloak of safety" and said visible symbols let students "access their education." PHS sophomore Mimi Crawford Jakubiak said the flags ceased flying "without notice, warning, or explanation," and warned that limiting flag displays to June would mean students never see them while school is in session. "By removing these flags...that is most definitely the message that has been received by members of the LGBT community," she said.

Pediatrician and Piedmont resident Dr. Jim Crawford Jakubiak told the board the flags previously flew in front of every school and that the signage and stickers placed by teachers send an "unmistakable message that all of our schools were a safe space." PHS theater teacher Kim Taylor cited national research about suicide risk and noted affirming spaces reduce attempts, arguing the flags are part of the district's equity commitments.

Board members acknowledged the public comments and thanked the students for speaking; trustees said they would look into the issue and suggested staff and the board explore a policy option to address when and how flags are flown.

Why it matters: Commenters said the flags are more than symbolism — they signal to vulnerable students that classrooms and schools are welcoming and can affect attendance, mental health and students' ability to participate in class.