TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Despite dozens of pleas from residents, parents and students to allow for display of the Pride Flag on district grounds, the Westwood Regional School District board voted, 6–2, on May 11 to approve a policy that only allows for the display of the U.S. flag and state flag above district schools and administration buildings.
Voting against the policy were Jason Garcia and Andrea Peck, both representing Westwood.
Voting for were Township of Washington reps Douglas Cusato, James Parrino, and Stacey Price; and Westwood’s Laura Cooper, board vice president Kristen Pedersen, and board president Michael Pontillo.
Member Irene Finarjian of the township was absent.
Approved policy 8830.01 states, “The Board of Education believes that the flag of the United States is a symbol of the values of our nation, the ideals embedded in our Constitution and the spirit that represents the rights given to all in our district. The district shall purchase a United States flag, flagstaff and the necessary appliances for its display upon or near every school building. There shall be a United States of America flag on display in every assembly room of every school.”
It continues, “The only flags that are permitted to be raised on or over district school and administrative buildings shall be the United States flag and the flag of the State of New Jersey. The flag(s) shall be flown at full- or half-staff pursuant to law.”
Peck and Garcia agreed that the policy’s wording was unclear by not mentioning that the display would include flag poles around school district buildings.
Following the vote, Pontillo said the Policy Committee should look at whether rewrites are necessary.
Peck noted the way the policy is written bans celebratory flags from around school district buildings. She suggested “that acknowledging human rights from those who may have been oppressed, marginalized or bullied should be allowed.”
She added that “celebratory flags often celebrate human rights… putting an end to this possibility goes against everything we stand for as a public school.”
Peck suggested that the Pride Flag might be put in another location or on another pole around a school building, but that is not addressed in the policy. LGBT Pride Month runs Thursday, June 1 to Friday, June 30.
Dozens of impassioned residents, including LGBTQ+ students, said that display of the rainbow Pride Flag shows support for LGBTQ+ individuals and tells them that the buildings displaying such a flag are safe havens for LGBTQ+ people.
Amira, a high school junior, called out trustees for noting the Pride Flag was a special-interest flag and for their questioning that it was a symbol of a safe space.
She said her identity was “not a part of a political agenda; I am a living, breathing human being.” She said one board member previously said she was upset that students needed a Pride Flag as a sign to make them feel safe.
“You should be upset,” she said. “This is the reality for every queer and trans person in this world, a world that does not fight for us, that does not protect us or our children.”
She urged trustees to take actions to help LGBTQ+ students feel safe in their schools.
Lisa Eidel of Westwood said display of the Pride Flag “signifies the premises are LGBTQ+ safe spaces. Unless you’re gay or someone you love is, you do not understand what seeing that flag means. It’s a life preserver, it’s a beacon of hope that there are people out there who accept me.”
She said that displaying the Pride Flag is not just for LGBTQ+ students, “but for the other students in the building, too. It’s an acknowledgement for the straight students as well that this is a safe place for LGBTQ+ students. Straight students see that and it will impact their behavior, how they interact with gay students, what they say and what they do.”
Many called out trustees following the vote for their failure to allow display of the Pride Flag, saying they were not representing all their constituents. Most trustees voting in favor of the policy maintain that the U.S. flag includes all Americans.
Several Pride Flag supporters criticized one trustee who said that the Pride Flag had divided, rather than united, the community.
Westwood Education Association President Chris Pinto called for trustees to vote no on the flag policy and said that no nearby districts had such a policy. “At worst this policy shows a lack of empathy and at best a lack of awareness.”
Pinto also demanded an apology from board members who had alleged that certain teachers had modified the state Comprehensive Health and Physical Education curriculum. No apologies were provided at the meeting. (See “Solidarity on LGBTQ+ at Lively BOE Meeting,” Michael Olohan, May 8, 2023.)
On May 5, Pontillo issued a letter on behalf of the board to “express our sincerest apologies for any inappropriate comments recently made by any members of this Board of Education. This board will be more clear, concise and effective with all communications with the public moving forward. This board does not promote nor condone discrimination of any kind, for any people. We believe in upholding our policies and treating all students and families with equal respect, understanding and acceptance.”
Pontillo also said the board has collaborated with the interim superintendent, “who will be working to schedule additional training for all board members through the New Jersey School Boards Association and our legal counsel. As professionals, we should always strive to do better and improve. Training can assist us in that endeavor.”
At the April 27 and May 11 board meetings, middle school and high school students, plus dozens of parents and LGBTQ+ supporters, urged trustees to allow for display of the Pride Flag, arguing that its presence is often the only sign to LGBTQ+ students and individuals that they are welcome and accepted.
The display of a Pride Flag on public property — whether at the federal, state, county or municipal levels — is becoming more commonplace although often government agencies generally display the U.S. flag, state flag and POW/MIA flag throughout the year.
Several students told trustees of repeated bullying in Westwood district schools due to identifying as LGBTQ+, with at least one student saying she had attempted suicide several times due to repeated bullying and harassment from fellow students. Fortunately, she said, teachers and friends were able to intervene and help her through these crises.