Community pushback halts ban on Pride flag/classroom displays in Ohio village

The Little Miami Board of Education narrowly voted to halt the advance of a policy that would have restricted classroom displays, including Pride flags. 

The board voted 3-2 at a special meeting on January 16 not to place the language on the next regular agenda, effectively putting a stop to the proposed policy.

The proposed policy would have only allowed a limited number of displays, such as the American and Ohio flags, and would have resulted in the removal of safe space posters with LGBTQ+ flags.

The policy also would have applied to “any electronic messaging, including emails and any electronic messaging, including emails,” presumably including insignia that might be associated with the staff member’s email signature. The policy did not contain language on enforcement.

A first reading was held for the policy on December, 17 with both local residents and surrounding area neighbors representing special interests groups voicing their support or opposition.

Board members speak up

Board President Bobbie Grice began by questioning why the policy was even needed. 

“What’s the specific issue or concern that we would be remedying by this policy?” she asked. 

“If we take away things like this, we are not producing critical thinkers.”

Board member David Wallace said that he has been in numerous Little Miami classrooms and has “seen materials that go against our values and beliefs.” He did not at any point specify what those materials were. 

Wallace said he campaigned on “getting rid of special agendas” and that, by his successful election, the community “spoke loud and clear as to what they would like to see.”

“I want to trust that my child is walking into early American history and they’re not getting bombarded with today’s social issues,” Wallace said. 

Board member Wayne Siebert said that he received numerous messages from the community opposing the policy, which directly informed his own stance.

“The community has overwhelmingly rejected this policy,” Sibert said. “They don’t want it. They want nothing to do with it. I have to follow the will of the community.”

That pushback included a petition against the proposal by Moms for Little Miami, which had over 800 signatures. 

“The broad language would mean teachers have to remove any posters/signs/flags that are not related directly to curriculum,” the petition reads. “This would include, but is not limited to, signs that say things such as ‘Welcome to Our Classroom,’ ‘Let Your Light Shine,’ ‘Go Bengals/Reds/other sports teams!’ and more. This interpretation has been confirmed by Central Office.”

Board member Mary Elmer spoke in support of the policy, saying it “returns classrooms to a more classical education model that centers on academics.

“Ultimately, all classrooms at Little Miami should be safe spaces of education for all students,” she said. 

Breaking Robert’s Rules

After discussion, Board President Grice called for a roll-call vote on whether to place the policy on the following meeting’s agenda for a second reading. 

After Wallace and Elmer voted to advance the policy and Grice and Siebert voted no, only Board Vice President Diane Horvath was left still to vote.

Earlier in the meeting, Horvath had said that she wanted more time with the policy, wishing to see how similar policies – like one passed by the Big Walnut School Board in 2023 to ban Pride Flags  – worked out. 

When Horvath was called on for her vote, she hesitated, again saying that it was premature to discuss the policy. 

David Wallace immediately cut in, a clear violation of parliamentary procedure – on which the Little Miami School Board operates, with a policy specifically requesting that board members evaluate themselves on “good parliamentary procedure  – which does not allow for questioning fellow board members during a vote.

“What would it take for you to get to a yes?” Wallace brazenly questioned Horvath, attempting to sway her to his position. 

“Right now, a lot of people are not happy with [this policy] and mostly that’s who we have heard from. How do you ignore that if that’s what we’ve heard?” Horvath countered. 

“6,000 people voted for you because you put ‘conservative’ on your signs,” Wallace admonished Horvath. 

“I’m going about it in the right way,” Horvath said. “I’m representing my whole community as best I can.” 

Wallace then reiterated – still in the middle of a roll call vote – that he was elected for the very stance he was taking. 

“Hell yes, this is political,” Wallace exclaimed. “That’s why we’re here.”

Horvath then voted no, closing the matter for the time being. 🔥

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