Stafford, CT - September 9, 2024
Connecticut state statutes require public schools to provide and display the flag of the United States in each classroom, but Stafford’s Board of Education (BOE) would like to take that a step further. During the most recent regular meeting, the BOE was presented with several policies to be considered for revision or replacement; however, there was only one entirely new policy up for consideration, and it concerns the display of the flag in classrooms.
The board requested the addition of this policy, which member Aaron Hoffman described this way: “The goal was to create a policy where the American flag has an unobstructed view for students in any classroom. To have no other flag, no other thing hanging around the American flag within a 3-foot radius, gives the American flag its place in our classrooms that I think it deserves, and I think other board members and the community would be happy with also.”
Referring to the newly appointed member of the BOE, Christopher Paradiso, Hoffman added, “Especially with Mr. Flag Day now on the board, we wanted to make sure that was going through.”
Here is the proposed language of the policy:
Essentially, the policy requires teachers to refrain from placing anything within a three-foot radius of the flag in all directions. This would theoretically prevent teachers from hanging everything from other flags to instructional materials to artwork near the flag. Depending on how strictly the rule is interpreted and enforced, more than six feet of classroom wall space could be devoted entirely to the flag. (See the update below for further clarification.)
The board voted to move this policy to a second read, along with the other policies discussed, to be addressed again at their next meeting.
Update 9/18/24: BOE Member Aaron Hoffman wrote to clarify the intentions of the policy. Here is the text of his email:
I know that you are getting a lot of comments and clicks from the Flag Policy, but I think it needs to be clarified that your representation of the policy is not accurate to the language of the policy. You post an image of the policy language that states a 3 foot radius that is unobstructed from "other flags". Yet your paragraph directly below the policy wording causes a misperception from the public. You wrote, "Essentially, the policy requires teachers to refrain from placing anything within a three-foot radius of the flag in all directions." This is not true. The unobstructed radius pertains to flags which is clearly stated in the policy. You go on to say that, "This would theoretically prevent teachers from hanging everything from other flags to instructional materials to artwork near the flag." The only part of this sentence that is true is the hanging of other flags. If there is a bulletin board within that radius, it is not impacted. The other flags can be displayed in the room just not within the 3 foot radius. You then go on to say, "Depending on how strictly the rule is interpreted and enforced, more than six feet of classroom wall space could be devoted entirely to the flag." There is no strict enforcement. The only prohibited material within the radius of the American Flag is another flag.
This policy is intended to show reverence to the American flag in the classroom. It does not cost anything and does not restrict teachers in the way you indicated it would. This policy was suggested by students who have family members who serve in the military and want to honor them during the pledge without the view of other flags. It is disappointing that you took a simple policy that aims to honor our country and made it controversial with inaccurate information. I hope you will correct the misinformation for the public.
We thanked Hoffman for taking the time to clarify the position, and suggested new language, such as "The Board dictates that all other flags flown in the classroom must maintain a three-foot radius from the American flag" rather than saying "all flags flown in the classroom will maintain a 3-foot unobstructed radius" would prevent confusion and clarify the intent of the policy.
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