Classroom Decor Policy Sparks Debate At Central Bucks Board Meeting

DOYLESTOWN, PA —Another controversial policy in the Central Bucks School District - this one addressing classroom decor - is drawing fire from the LGBTQ+ community and from some teachers who will be directly impacted.

This week, school board members voted 6 to 3 to advance policy 321 (Political, Sociopolitical, and Other Related Communications) to a final reading and a vote in November.

The policy includes updated language for the purpose of “maintaining neutrality in curriculum, classroom décor, and classroom instruction in an effort to establish an educational environment in which all students feel supported.”

The policy states, “Curriculum, classroom decor, and classroom instruction are desired to create an atmosphere where all students, regardless of their beliefs, are valued and supported.”

It continues, “Out of respect for the fact that personal beliefs about such topics are often deeply personal and of great importance to many members of the school community and their families, staff members should not use their position or classroom decor to advocate for their personal beliefs on such issues to students.”

Specifically, the policy says that out of respect for the entire, diverse school community decor related to political, sociopolitical, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious beliefs in the classroom, is prohibited.”

That includes pride flags, which has become a sore point with the school district’s LGBTQ+community, with many accusing the district of purposely banning a symbol that they say represents to them a safe haven and a feeling of acceptance in an environment where they often feel marginalized.

Exceptions to the policy include jewelry, consistent with the professional dress code (Policy 325), that symbolically represents an individual’s personal beliefs; display of personal family pictures; display of the flag of the United States, Pennsylvania, or military branch; and flags or other decor used as part of a temporary unit of study within the approved curriculum.

“The board recognizes and encourages the right of administrative, professional and support employees, as citizens, to engage in political activity, sociopolitical advocacy, sexual orientation advocacy, gender identity advocacy, and religious advocacy,” says the policy. “However, district time, resources, property, or equipment, paid for by taxpayers, may not be used for such purposes by district employees when performing assigned duties.

“Employees shall not engage in political or sociopolitical activities during assigned work hours on property under the jurisdiction of the board, except as otherwise permitted for employee representative election.”

The three minority board members - Dr. Mariam Mahmud, Dr. Tabitha Dell'Angelo and Karen Smith - objected to the policy and asked that it be sent back to the policy committee.

Many of the 40 residents who spoke at this week’s school board meeting room were there to object to the policy.

Alexis Albright read a letter from social studies teacher David Kline, who has taught in the district for 30 years. In the letter Kline said he vehemently opposes “any policy that removes pride flags or otherwise attacks our LGBTQ+ community because such a policy is cruel, ignorant, discriminatory and will intentionally further marginalize and threaten our already most at risk students.”

New Britain resident Kevin McDermott, who has taught at Central Bucks for 29 years, stood before the board wearing a rainbow colored shirt with the word “pride” on the front “because I’m proud to be a teacher in Central Bucks. And I’m proud to support these kids.

“In 2020 my daughter bought me this shirt when she was a senior. I’ve worn it to school on dress down days, on spirit days. Every day I wear it I get nothing but complements from kids across the building. And when I’m not wearing it it hangs in my classroom on a hangar.

“I’m here to say that policy 321, I oppose it. I’m a 29 year teacher and supporter of kids,” he said. “My daughter graduated in 2020. Do you know who didn’t graduate that year? Katie Gane, who on Oct. 7, 2019 took her own life. And at CB West we have a memorial bench as a tribute and memorial to her. Now you’re telling me I can’t hang this shirt in my classroom, but we can have a bench? The argument that no teacher should have a symbol, but a school can have a monument and memorial that deserves to be there to honor the suffering she went through, what sense does that make?

“My shirt hangs in my room where only my students see it," said McDermott. "I’m an advocate
for them - the most marginalized in the building. Think about what you’re doing … What legacy are you leaving behind by enacting policy 321?”

A number of speakers also voiced their support for the policy and commended the school board for its actions.

Francis Castle of Buckingham thanked the board for “standing up for our children and doing what’s right and forgetting about the agendas and the weaponized psychology.”

Mara Witsen of Chalfont told teachers it’s not their place to make life altering decisions against a parent’s decision. “You are not equipped or legally allowed to make decisions that undermine parental authority,” she said.

Witsen then went after the ACLU-PA complaint, which she said “reads more like a Washington Post opinion piece. Unfortunately the once highly-regarded ACLU now betrays its former mission in favor of political point scoring and fundraising. I will not waste any more time on this steaming pile of garbage they call a complaint.

“I want the board majority to know one thing. You have done nothing wrong and thousands of parents and taxpayers in the district are grateful for what you have done and what you will hopefully continue to do. Keep protecting and educating children.”