A Tennessee school board voted unanimously to remove LGBTQ pride flags from classrooms and establish the American and Tennessee flags as the district’s standard displays. The Tullahoma City Schools Board of Education approved the policy in a 7-0 vote on Tuesday, October 21st. The rule applies across district buildings and also covers banners, pennants, and digital signs. Limited exceptions remain for educational and school-sanctioned uses.
The vote followed weeks of debate over whether political or social flags belonged in Tullahoma classrooms. Board members reviewed similar policies adopted by Coffee County and Tipton County, contacted the Tennessee School Boards Association, and consulted the district’s attorney. A study session was held in mid-October before the proposal returned for final action.
Although the amendment does not mention pride flags by name, its restrictions mean those displays must be removed from district classrooms. The rule applies the same standard to other political and social flags, as well as banners, pennants, and digital signs. Board members described the policy as an effort to create consistent expectations throughout Tullahoma’s schools while keeping classroom displays tied to education.
As WSMV reported, the district said it reached the decision after examining the Coffee and Tipton County rules. Before the vote, a district spokesperson said the board regularly reviews and changes policy to provide “better clarity around expectations.” The amendment was placed in Section 4.400 of the policy manual, which governs textbooks and instructional materials.
The policy says no flags or other displays may appear in or on district buildings except the American and Tennessee flags, unless they are official country, state, Tullahoma school, higher-education, post-secondary institution, or U.S. military branch flags used solely for educational purposes. Thunder Radio reported that principals may also approve exceptions tied directly to curriculum or another school-sanctioned event or program. A foreign-language teacher, for example, could request permission to display the flag of the country being studied.
“This policy does not come lightly. It has been worked on for more than a month,” board 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 public-comment period lasted more than 45 minutes, with 15 people signed up to address the board and the meeting room filled to capacity.
Supporters argued that classrooms should remain focused on education rather than political activism. Gary Neil, a grandparent of several Tullahoma High School students, said allowing one side’s symbol while excluding others would create conflict. “It’s about one view being accepted to the exclusion of others,” Neil said. “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.”
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Former Tullahoma Alderman Daniel Berry had launched a petition supporting the change, calling for the removal of pride flags and other political or social flags. “Our schools exist to educate, not to promote political or social agendas,” the petition said. An opposing petition urged the board to reject the policy and argued that pride flags signal safety and acceptance to LGBTQ students. Despite that campaign and several speakers asking the board to keep the displays, all seven members voted for the amendment.
The district planned to train teachers on the new requirements before putting the policy into effect by the second semester. Tullahoma became the third Tennessee school system to adopt such a rule, according to WZTV.