Southern California school board adopts parents’ bill of rights, flag policy
A bill of rights for parents and guardians and a new flag policy limiting what can be flown on campuses were approved at the Orange Unified School District.
A bill of rights securing the right of parents and guardians to be heard in their children’s education and know what their children are being taught was adopted by Orange Unified School District trustees Tuesday night.
Also outlined is parents’ rights to protect their children’s privacy and easily access information regarding the school district.
School board president Rick Ledesma said he wanted to reassure parents the board would pay attention to their concerns with the district and their children’s education.
“Right now, there are ideologies that are being taught inside classrooms that parents need to see, understand, and have a voice,” one parent told the board. “When it comes to public education, parents have certain rights and expectations to ensure the wellbeing and success of their children.”
Trustees Andrea Yamasaki and Kris Erickson criticized what they said was a lack of timely notice that the school board would be considering the bill of rights at the meeting and said parents and guardians did not have enough time to participate in the policy’s creation.
Several community members argued the document is “performative” and “redundant” because the school district already protected their rights.
One speaker said the bill lacked input from parents or it was written with a small, vocal group of supporters in mind.
Erickson proposed amending the bill of rights to include equitable access to age-appropriate books for a diverse student population and First Amendment rights protection for children, as well as including an assurance that the school district will follow all state laws regarding academic content and standards. She also suggested including the right to advocate for students in the family’s native language and an assurance that student rights are protected and that harassment, bullying or disciplinary procedures will be posted online.
But a board majority rejected her additions. Despite some having voiced concerns, all the board members voted for the bill of rights.
Ledesma said he hoped the bill of rights will empower parents so they know where and how to get information from the school district.
On Tuesday, the school board also unanimously voted on a policy to only fly the American flag and California state flag on district and campus flagpoles, as well as in classrooms. Other flags or banners cannot be raised, but can displayed in other ways, the school board decided.
The new policy mirrors similar decisions this year by the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the Huntington Beach City Council.
Although there are already guidelines requiring the U.S. and state flags to be flown in the school district, the board’s vote would amend language to not allow for other flags, banners or pennants to be flown.
A majority of community members who addressed the board during its meeting said the policy would unite children under the flags, without division.
Those that disagreed said it was a covert effort to exclude the Pride flag and a misuse of district resources for a political motive.
“I hope that everyone in this room sees this motion about the flag for what it is. It’s self-preservation, thinly veiled as patriotism,” one Orange resident said.