Pittsfield School Committee to See Flag Ordinance
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee will decide a policy to keep flag displays consistent with the district's sentiments.
On the agenda for Wednesday's meeting is a first reading of a "Flag Protocols on School Property" policy similar to an ordinance adopted by the City Council the prior week.
It allows Pittsfield's flag, the United States flag, flags of other nations recognized by the U.S. government, and flags commemorating significant events or causes consistent with the school district's official sentiments.
Last week, the Policy Subcommittee forwarded it to the School Committee with an amendment to have flag decisions made by the committee and the superintendent, rather than just the superintendent.
"Nobody could come to us and say, 'We want our white supremacist flag to fly, just because you have to give equal consideration to all points of view,' because we would say 'No, it has to be the official sentiments of the School Committee,'" member Sara Hathaway said as an example of situations it could prevent.
School Committee member William Garrity, who proposed the policy, explained that it is recommended for districts to have a resolution or policy on flag protocols. This policy is based on a model from the Framingham Public Schools with language from the flag ordinance approved by the council.
The amendment was made to align with the council's ordinance, which gives the council specific governance over flags.
During the City Council meeting on July 8, Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren said, "By voting of the City Council, it shows the community that there's support behind that and not just the whim of some one particular person."
"The purpose of this policy is to establish the Pittsfield Public School's guidelines for the display of flags of governments recognized by the Federal Government, and other flags on the school district property," the school's policy reads.
It directs classrooms, auditoriums, and "other appropriate indoor locations" in school buildings to fly the American flag, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag to be flown in all auditoriums.
Under the policy, flags are subject to the discretion of the superintendent with the approval of the School Committee, and outdoor flags should be lowered to half-staff when directed by the president, governor, or mayor in honor of the death of a key individual or for a specific event or circumstance.
Also on the agenda is the selection of upper and lower middle school facilities, a result of the late June vote to create an upper elementary school for Grades 5-6 and a junior high school for Grades 7-8 by the 2026-2027 academic year.
The Middle School Restructuring Committee is set to meet at Reid Middle School on Tuesday to discuss continued work.
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