School board passes rules that ban gay pride flags

Only U.S., California banners allowed; others must be approved by superintendent

The Temecula school board approved a policy to limit which flags can be flown on school property, a rule that some called a way to ban pride flags, at its Tuesday night meeting.

A similar policy was adopted by the Chino Valley Unified School District board in June.

The Temecula Valley Unified School District board proposal passed 3-2, with the board's conservative majority in favor and trustees Allison Barclay and Steven Schwartz voting no.

The proposal, which was adopted before an overflow crowd, does not specify which flags are barred. It contains two alterations to the district's flag protocols.

One reads: “No flag other than the United States of America and State of California may be displayed on school grounds, including classrooms, unless it is a country, state, or United

States military flag used solely for educational purposes within the adopted curriculum.”

Other flags would need the superintendent's approval.

“It is not the intent of the Board of Education to deprive any person of his or her right to freedom

of expression,” the agenda item states. “The intent of this regulation is to maintain a safe and orderly workplace for teachers, students, administrators, staff, parents/guardians and other members of the community.”

The second change involves

Pledge of Allegiance guidelines for student behavior.

More than 100 people waited outside before the meeting. Some had American flags on their clothing. A few wore Donald Trump merchandise. Others sported pride flags.

Jennifer San Nicolas, a Temecula resident with two teenagers in Temecula Valley schools, said she's concerned about board decisions she said remove diversity, equity and inclusion programs. She cited December's critical race theory ban — approved at the first meeting of the board's conservative Christian bloc elected by voters — as an example.

“It's just unreal, the way that they are chipping away at the humanity of kids of color, kids on the LGBTQ spectrum, anyone who isn't their White evangelical, in their church — they other them.”

Murrieta resident Jen Reeves

PHOTOS BY TERRY PIERSON — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Parents and students wear gay pride attire to show support for LGBTQ flags during the Temecula Valley Unified School District board meeting on Tuesday. The school board voted to allow only U.S. or California flags to be flown on school property.

School board member Steven Schwartz, who voted against the change in campus flag policies, addresses the public on Tuesday.