Pride Flag’s Future Returns Before Sonoma Trustees

SONOMA VALLEY, CA —The Sonoma Valley Unified School District board will consider two competing policies Thursday that would determine whether the Progress Pride Flag remains permanently displayed at Sonoma Valley High School or shares a rotating flagpole with other symbolic flags.

The first option would designate the school's fourth flagpole as a rotating display for symbolic flags approved by the board. Each flag would remain for a period recommended by the high school's student leadership group and approved by trustees.

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The second option would assign separate flagpoles to school and symbolic displays. The school pole would carry the Sonoma Valley High School flag, while the symbolic pole would carry the Progress Pride Flag. Trustees could approve additional school-related, commemorative, or identity-based flags for display beneath those flags.

The second option would limit each pole to three flags at one time. The student leadership group would recommend any additional flags and display periods, and the board would grant final approval.

Superintendent Jason Sutter drafted the proposals after trustees reviewed the history of campus flag displays, student input, survey results, and four possible policies June 11. The board discussed the issue again June 18 and directed Sutter to develop the two remaining options with district administrators, high school officials, and legal counsel.

Under both proposals, students, employees, and school organizations could submit symbolic flag requests to the principal. The high school leadership group could consider each flag's connection to the school community, educational or commemorative purpose, display period, funding source, and consistency with district policies.

Board members have also proposed revisions that would reserve elementary and middle school flagpoles for the United States and California flags. Another suggested change would allow the student leadership class to forward every flag proposal to trustees with its recommendation.

The board could conduct its first reading or approve one of the policies during its Sept. 10 meeting.

Agenda items include:

• Approving the district's 2025-26 financial statements and pursuing a waiver after missing California's 55% classroom-compensation requirement.
• Approving a $468,000 contract for eight special-education paraprofessionals.
• Appointing Oz Robledo to the committee reviewing possible uses of surplus school property.
• Reviewing special-education classroom relocations from the former Prestwood campus.
• Spending about $20,492 on 72 new high school sports lockers.
• Approving $21,898 in preschool accessibility, drainage, and playground improvements at Flowery Elementary.
• Reviewing enrollment data showing 2,630 district students.
• Certifying that schools have sufficient textbooks and instructional materials.
• Recognizing September as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.
• Creating board committees focused on facilities and district policies.
• Approving a $12,870 agricultural education grant application.
• Discussing trustee office hours and the board's study-session calendar.

The open session begins at 6 p.m. in Sonoma City Council Chambers, 177 First St. West.