This is a new interpretation of a district policy that “prohibits staff from using their positions to promote partisan politics, sectarian religious views, selfish propaganda for personal, monetary or nonmonetary gain.” It declares gender identity and sexual orientation political

Black Lives Matter flags are also considered political. Yet, when asked for clarification, the superintendent said it would still be allowable for a staff member to wear a cross necklace “if it’s discreet.”

This is sick. It’s a terrible leadership decision to think that taking away any signal of personal issues you’ve deemed controversial will do anything to improve climate and student safety. It’s also a double standard steeped in white patriarchy.

Even though the policy clarification includes a ban of other speech deemed political, like back the badge and thin blue line flags, the silencing of all viewpoints will result in the presumed dominance of those held by the people with the most power. And a cross exception. 🙄

Banning the ability of a staff member to tell someone what their pronouns are is absolutely spineless. And if I was an English teacher, I’d be designing an entire pronoun unit right about now.