Central Bucks Teachers Stage Protest Over Neutrality Policy: Report

BUCKINGHAM TOWNSHIP, PA —Central Bucks School District teachers staged a protest Tuesday over the recent approval of a new policy aimed at bringing neutrality and balance to the classroom, according to reports.

Teachers held a demonstration at Central Bucks High School East and Holicong Middle School as administrators were scheduled to meet with staff about Policy 321, the Bucks County Courier News reported.

Opponents of Policy 321 say it will end up "stifling creativity, free speech and thought" in classrooms across the district.

The policy has also raised flags with LGBTQ+ students who have argued against banning the Pride Flag, which they see as a symbol of acceptance and safe harbor in an atmosphere where they often feel unsafe.

The protest led by Holicong Middle School teacher Keith Willard involved a crowd of teachers and students out of the middle school at around 3 p.m. Tuesday. They were joined by about 20 other teachers already gathered near Holicong Road, the newspaper reported.

The school district last week voted 6 to 3 to adopt Policy 321, which sets rules for what teachers can and cannot do politically in their classrooms, including ending the display of Pride flags and banners other than the flag of the United States.

Prior to that vote, board members listened for about two hours as residents spoke for and against the policy, which will ban teachers from advocating partisan, political, and social advocacy issues in their classrooms in addition to banning any associated partisan and social decor, including flags.

Click here to read the full Bucks County Courier News story.