By Katie Northcott, News Director
The Tullahoma Board of Education (BOE) on Tuesday unanimously passed an amendment to Section 4.400 of Tullahoma City Schools’ (TCS) policy manual.
The amendment adds a section titled “Flags and Other Displays” to the “Textbook and Instructional Materials” section of TCS’s policy manual. The amendment came as an effort “to ensure a conducive and respectful educational environment,” according to the policy’s language. The amendment brings a resolution to a debate that has drawn much public attention to the school district lately, especially pertaining to display of pride flags.
The first section of the policy reads as follows:
No flag or other displays (ex., banners, pennants, digital signs, etc.) other than that of the United States of America and state of Tennessee may be displayed in or on Tullahoma City Schools buildings, including classrooms, unless it is an official country, state, TCS school, higher education, post-secondary institution, or United States military branch flag used solely for educational purposes.
An exception to the new policy can be requested through the principal of the TCS school where the flag will be displayed. Exceptions may be granted for flags directly related to the curriculum or another school-sanctioned event or program. For example, if a Spanish teacher wants to fly a Spanish flag, he may request an exception.
“This policy does not come lightly. It has been worked on for more than a month,” BOE member Gigi Robison said. “Our lawyer, administration, and a group of people at the high school and other schools looked at this and came up with what I feel is a very comprehensive policy.”
The amended policy:
The Coffee County Democratic Party had planned to pack the meeting on Tuesday. Additionally, former Tullahoma Alderman Daniel Berry took strides to encourage Tullahoma residents to call for a change in TCS’s flag policy.
The public comment period at the meeting lasted over 45 minutes with 15 people signing up to speak. The room was filled to capacity. One attendee of the meeting estimated that 25 people remained outside, unable to enter the building.
The atmosphere at the meeting was tense. It was intensified when BOE Chairman Kim Uselton did not allow Tullahoma residents Mike Chaney and John Santana to speak about Dr. Monica Blake-Beasley, a THS teacher who flies a pride flag in her classroom. Uselton said the comments about Blake-Beasley did not pertain to an item on the agenda or a disciplinary matter, the two topics that a public comment may address.
Find more information about the controversy surrounding Blake-Beasley reported by Peterson Media Group here.
A Tullahoma High School (THS) graduate (class of 2021) identified himself as Meadow Spratlin and claimed to a transgender woman. As he spoke about his experience at TCS, members of the crowd shouted at the BOE.
“That’s not flag related,” they said.
“It is flag related,” someone responded.
“I’m speaking,” Spratlin said, addressing continued disruption.
Despite the disruption, Spratlin and 12 other commenters were able to make their full comments to the board.
Those opposed to the amendment cited higher rates of bullying directed toward LGBTQ+ youth as well as higher depression and suicide rates. Some speakers mentioned Channing Smith, a Coffee County Central High School student who committed suicide in 2019.
These speakers believed continuing to allow LGBTQ+ flags in classrooms would help create an environment where these students feel safe and welcome. They said the flags were not political and divisive, but welcoming and unifying. Some speakers gave personal anecdotes from their time at THS as students claiming to be part of the LGBTQ+ community.
“We’re showing that students have a safe space in our classrooms to be themselves, and that through all the harassment and slurs that may happen at THS there are teachers who will accept them,” said Avery McLean (THS class of 2024). “We cannot afford to lose any more students. That is the worst possible scenario.”
Those supporting the amendment said that LGBTQ+ flags represented a political agenda. They said that students holding opposing political views would feel uncomfortable in a classroom with a pride flag.
“It’s about one view being accepted to the exclusion of others,” said Gary Neil, grandparent to multiple THS students. “When you go down the road of allowing one flag that represents the farthest left side of our country and you deny others, then you’re going to have problems.”
Normandy resident Richard Shasteen and Neil expressed separately that their main concern was that there are any students at the high school who feel unsafe, whether they are LGBTQ+ youth or students from conservative-leaning families.
“People are afraid. I hope you know that,” Neil said, addressing the BOE. “There are parents who are afraid to speak up because they’re afraid of retaliation. … To me that is the greater issue. Why do we have students in the high school who are afraid to speak up because they are afraid of retribution.”
Neil cited comments allegedly made by THS Principal Dr. Greg English as examples of intimidation. English has denied making these comments.
“We love these kids. The teachers love these kids,” BOE member Broc Compton said. “No one should feel unsafe in a classroom. The kids need to know that the teachers are there for them. The administrators are there for them. The principals are there for them.”
Compton said if a student is experiencing exclusion, condescension, or bullying, that student should go to their principal or a guidance counselor.
Tullahoma is not the first school system to pass such a policy. The Coffee County School System passed a similar policy recently. In that policy decision, Coffee County Schools requires the US Flag and Tennessee State flag to be displayed in all classrooms. Read that story here.
