Laura Chapman is a civic volunteer, social justice activist, and works with human-services nonprofits that help neighbors in need.
PUTNEY-A few weeks ago, a collective unease rippled through our community as large flags for Trump and Harris appeared in the Dummerston School library window.
This unexpected display at the school, which serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, sparked a flurry of conversation on social media. When the principal was approached, she declined to remove the flags from public view.
During the recent local school board meeting, attended by the superintendent, the school principal, and the library media specialist, Windham County NAACP Chapter President Wichie Artu made a poignant plea.
He urged a shift in our decision-making process, proposing that we focus not on the legality or intention of our choices but on the impact these decisions have on those we aim to serve, considering the context in which we exist.
It is important to note that Vermont's anti-discrimination laws protect people from discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, ancestry or place of birth, mental or physical disability, age, marital status, and credit history (though the categories apply differently to housing, employment, and public accommodations).
Political opinions are not included, likely because they should not be conflated with human rights issues.
The school board commendably held space for all public comments. The superintendent recognized the room's varying perspectives and said he would make a recommendation the following day.
Since then, the flags have been moved to an interior wall.
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While I disagree with the decision to let the flags remain hanging anywhere in the school for many reasons, I sincerely appreciate the desire to prepare our children's civic minds. There are many paths to successful civics education, especially in a school like Dummerston's, where they strive to be a community of learners who seek to support one another.
The principal and the librarian genuinely care for their students and believe they are creating a safe space for honest, respectful conversations about either candidate.
While their intentions are commendable, what now needs to be recovered from the conversation and centered on is the impact of this particular approach on human rights issues.
These flags are not just a slap in the face for many. Donald Trump has belittled, lied about, and caused the endangerment of many groups of people in the United States, most recently Haitian Americans. We have children in our community of direct Haitian descent, as well as children who identify with other groups the former president has slandered.
"They know that [Trump] flag hurts BIPOC community members, but they don't care," a local BIPOC friend told me. "They think they know better than us for our kids and your kids. That flag will hang until November because we don't matter."
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Before educators and school leadership make another decision that could cause serious harm to unprepared people, I hope they remember this moment and use a survey, which would allow parents and students to engage in discussions or decisions about controversial or impactful choices safely and anonymously.
I also wish that more of us, including myself, immediately went to the principal and shared our thoughts. If either of those things had been done, the librarian might have reconsidered or been better prepared to respond to community concerns.
Unfortunately, that is not what happened, and many questions remain: What lesson is a 4-year-old getting with these two flags in their library? Why only the two flags? Where are the other presidential candidates?
And if this is about a mock election, campaign and political materials are not allowed in polling places. Why not teach the reason and importance of the absence of these items in areas where we make critical choices?
How about students whose identities are called into question by a candidate being proactively supported? Does the school have safe, no-barrier channels for feedback? And how is that done for the youngest students?
Has the school considered that displaying these flags in the same school building with other flags that represent a school community's affirmation and support for human rights issues can devalue and endanger those human rights platforms?
If these questions have not been considered, I suggest that they be.
I also suggest that the school board immediately begin work on a clear policy to address potential future displays.
The Secretary of State's Office requires any state employee or political candidate to seek permission from the school board before placing political campaign signs on school property if a town or school board does not have an ordinance, regulation, or policy in place.
I urge our school board to consider a similar policy to require permission for staff seeking to display any political candidate flag, banner, or sign on school property.
There is a reason that the Secretary of State has such strong guidance around this issue. It would be wise for the school board to do so as well.
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