A seemingly unlikely subject–the Confederate flag, and displays of it–has polarized some residents of the Saucon Valley School District in the wake of news that a documentary about racial tensions in the district is being filmed by ABC News as well as a recent recommendation by the district’s recently-formed Equity & Inclusion Committee that symbols such as the flag not be tolerated on school grounds.

The committee members and members of the administration “concluded that the Confederate flag, the use of the N-word in all its forms and other specific language has indeed interfered with the educational process in Saucon Valley,” former Superintendent Dr. Monica McHale-Small said at the school board’s Aug. 8 meeting.

“The district needs to begin this school year with a strong statement on the type of culture we desire for our students, and also a statement that language and symbols that are demeaning or disrespectful will not be tolerated,” she told the board. “To this end it was agreed that the district schools will adopt a statement or compact as part of the student code of conduct. This statement will be developed by the administration with guiding input from the high school spirit group–a group of student leaders. It is my hope that, and the intention of the district equity and inclusion committee, that the specifics of this agreement will be shared with the board and community by (new superintendent) Dr. (Craig) Butler as soon as he begins his tenure.”

Do you agree with the committee? Or do you believe that banning symbols–even potentially offensive symbols such as the Confederate flag–represents an infringement upon First Amendment rights?

The district is currently facing a federal civil rights lawsuit that alleges racial discrimination against a student.

In the spring Saucon Valley School District and issues involving race that come to light within the past year were profiled in an article in Rolling Stone magazine.

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