School committee dismisses petition to limit flags after hours of public testimony

The Worcester School Committee voted to dismiss a public petition that sought to limit flags displayed on school property to official governmental banners, following extensive public comment from students, educators and parents.

Supporters of the petition argued it would preserve ‘‘symbolic uniformity’’ and remove divisive displays from school buildings. Michael Douglas, the petitioner, asked the committee to refer the proposal for formal review and drafting, saying the policy would reinforce a shared civic identity and give principals clearer guidance.

Opponents said the proposal would erase student identities and jeopardize student safety. Constantine Kibe, a senior at Burncoat High School, told the committee a pride flag in a classroom can be ‘‘the difference between a graduation and a suicide’’ and urged members to ‘‘downvote the petition.’’ Andrew Willis, a Burncoat teacher and GSA adviser, warned research shows suicides increase when affirming supports are removed; he asked the committee not to ‘‘refer this to committee and hope that it doesn't go anywhere’’ but to vote it down.

After debate the chair called a roll call in which a majority voted to dismiss the petition. The chair characterized a ‘‘no’’ vote as killing the petition; a motion to reconsider did not change the result.

The decision followed multiple speakers who described flags as sources of belonging and safety for LGBTQ+ students, immigrant students and students of color. A number of speakers — including paraeducators and parents — urged the committee to explicitly reject the petition rather than simply refer it for study.

Committee members said they heard concerns about bullying and the need to balance uniform administrative rules with recognition of school community diversity. The chair thanked members of the public for attending and speaking before moving on to the superintendent’s report.