SUNBURY, Ohio — The Big Walnut Local School Board of Education passed a resolution to ban the display of certain flags, including LGBTQ+ flags.
The resolution passed 3-2 Thursday night, going into effect immediately.
School board president Doug Crowl and board members Alice Nicks and Angela Graziosi voted in favor while Todd Smith and Stephen Fujii voted against it.
Only the following flags are allowed to be displayed:
- The United States flag
- The State of Ohio flag
- Military flag
- Flags from other states and countries
Any banners, signs or symbols that promote "activist causes" or anything that could be controversial cannot be displayed in classrooms or school buildings.
Nearly 40 people, including teachers, students and other community members, spoke about the policy.
A government teacher at Big Walnut, Noah Heath, spoke against the resolution, saying he has hung a Pride flag in his classroom for four years and it's a symbol for students to safely voice their opinions in his classroom.
"The flag in my room is an unspoken, but easily understood message to those that see it that it is for them. They can be who they want to be. I respect them like every other student and I will defend them and their right to be who they are," Heath said.
Another teacher who has a Pride flag displayed said it is not the center of her classroom, but a symbol for those that need it.
"Maybe one day we can strive to not need a flag to show solidarity and understanding but until we are willing to have the hard conversations we need to have, the additional support is necessary," she said.
A man who spoke in favor of the policy because "anyone with an agenda can demand their flag or symbol be displayed in the name of safety, regardless of how it may affect the overall learning environment." Others who wanted to see the policy passed because it would eliminate distractions.
To read the entire resolution, click here.