Community urges calm after social-media dispute over Mendota High flag dedication

Public commenters and district leaders used a Mendota Unified School District board meeting Sept. 24 to push back against social-media claims that a moment of silence was held during a Mendota High flag dedication. At the start of public comment, Robert Salinas told trustees that "if the President of the United States orders the flags to be lowered, we follow his orders, it is the law, we follow the law," and other speakers said the evening’s program did not include a moment of silence.

Travis Kirby, identified in the minutes as the event’s principal, told the Board he had apologized to students for confusion but said explicitly that he "did not apologize for a moment of silence because there was no moment of silence during the football game." Several speakers — including former students and current staff — praised Kirby’s record working with a student body described in the minutes as about 99% Hispanic, and asked the Board to protect students from politicization. At least two commenters called out the mention of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at the event as inappropriate in a school setting and urged greater sensitivity.

Trustees responded by stressing unity and student safety. Trustee Lupe Flores listed recent security measures added across district campuses — fencing, school resource officers and additional cameras — and encouraged students to raise concerns. Trustee Alma Durazo said the board must "put the students and staff’s wellbeing above everything else" and called for healing after the dispute. Superintendent Dr. Lopez highlighted ongoing programs — preschool expansion, dual enrollment and dual immersion — and asked the community to move forward.

The minutes record no formal disciplinary action or policy change resulting from the comments. Multiple speakers asked the district for clearer communication to prevent misinformation; the Board listed its next regular meeting as Oct. 8, 2025.