Parents and board debate Pride/progress flags and stickers at Brentwood elementary

Public discussion over Pride/progress-themed stickers and a large flag in Brentwood elementary schools dominated an extended public-comment period on Wednesday, with several parents asking the board who authorized the displays and whether they are appropriate for young children.

"I've noticed that there's a massive uptick in this building of pride flags," said Mark Hanic, identifying himself as a Fellows Road resident during the meeting's opening public-comment period. He said stickers about rights and identity are appearing on classroom doors and in restrooms and asked who had approved them and whether taxpayer funds paid for the materials.

Board member Melissa Lichfield pushed back that the district must protect confidentiality and make clear distinctions about what belongs in non-public sessions, but she also defended the district's practice of letting teachers exercise judgment in classroom displays. "As board members we are entrusted with information that the public is not always entitled to hear in real time," Lichfield said, urging the board to use non-public sessions only where lawful confidentiality is needed.

Supporters of the displays said they are intended as signals of welcome and inclusion rather than political messaging. "Flags, banners — doesn't make a difference to me; whatever people want to bring, feel free," said David Massie of Fellows Road during a later public-comment period, adding that students are perceptive and will interpret symbols in context.

Select-board representative Letty Bard intervened to note the limits of acceptable school signage: clothing or displays that are sexually explicit would be inappropriate in an elementary setting and would be addressed under the district's dress-code and harassment policies.

Administrators and board members said there is no districtwide, posted authorization for stickers and that many classroom displays reflected teacher or staff choices. Board leaders asked residents with specific concerns to submit them in writing so staff can investigate and, if needed, remove or relocate materials. The board also agreed to clarify guidance on developmentally appropriate displays and to ensure that parents have a clear channel for raising concerns.

The board closed the meeting after the public-comment period and signaled staff would follow up with inquiry results and, if necessary, return recommended policy clarifications at a future meeting.