Confederate Flag Draws Concern from County Exec, HoCo Superintendent

A student who brought a Confederate flag to Friday night’s football game at Glenelg High School was reportedly disciplined.

The student, who unfurled the flag atop the bleachers at the game against River Hill, received disciplinary action that administrators would not specify other than to say it was in line with the student code of conduct, according to The Washington Post.

Shortly after the flag was displayed, the student was ordered to take it down, an official from Glenelg High School told The Baltimore Sun.

The Howard County executive and superintendent of schools both commented on the incident, which occurred in a county whose “Choose Civility” slogan is displayed on bumper stickers and promotional materials throughout the area.

“Public displays of the Confederate flag evoke division, hate and subjugation—precisely the opposite of the values we hold in Howard County, and in Maryland,” County Executive Ken Ulman said in a statement. “We must teach our kids why this is such a hurtful symbol to so many people. We must fight against injustice and intolerance in any form, especially at our schools.”

The incident presented a “teachable moment,” Howard County Public School System Superintendent (HCPSS) Renee Foose wrote in a statement entitled “Civility in Our HCPSS Community.”

”The incident that occurred Friday night has been addressed in both of the school communities, and administrative actions have been taken in accordance with our Student Code of Conduct,” Foose said. “In education, we look for teachable moments in every situation that life brings our way. Even the most unfortunate incidents give us an opportunity to draw positive lessons.”

Photo Credit: Goose Creek Patch.