An independent public archive — not an official Redlands Unified School District site Not an official Redlands USD site
In the Minutes Redlands USD
Upcoming Board of Education — August 25, 2026 · agenda posted View the agenda See a summary
We are now In the Minutes — new address: intheminutes.org
Meeting recap ← All meetings

Board of Education — October 10, 2023

AI-generated summary · can be wrong — verify with the linked sources Agenda Transcript Minutes

Early transcript-only summary — no source links

The Redlands Unified School District held a board meeting where extensive public comment was given regarding a proposed policy to restrict flags displayed in schools to only American and state flags. The policy has been framed by opponents as targeting pride flags specifically. Numerous community members, including students, teachers, parents, mental health professionals, and residents, provided testimony on both sides of the flag policy debate. The overwhelming majority of public comments supported maintaining the ability to display pride flags, citing their importance for creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students and their alignment with the district's stated mission of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Key decisions

  • Approved minutes from September 5, 2023 special board meeting and September 12, 2023 regular board meeting (unanimous approval)

Public comment

Twenty-three community members provided public comment, with overwhelming support for maintaining pride flags in schools. Speakers included students (Ella Keeling, Milo Easley, Kate Heinze), teachers (Patricia Molnar, Jen Ugubian, Erin Hudson), parents (Tricia Keeling, Paula Brannon, Dominique Swanson, Sarah Russ), mental health professionals (M. Arnts), and community advocates. Common themes in supportive testimony included: pride flags create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students, research shows inclusive environments reduce suicide rates among LGBTQ+ youth, flags represent acceptance and belonging, and banning them contradicts the district's diversity mission. One opposing speaker (Val Zavis) argued that displaying flags other than the American flag shows favoritism and that pride flags have no place in educational settings. Another speaker (Paul Blatchley) addressed Williams complaints procedures rather than the flag policy.

Notable speakers

Tricia Keeling - Parent, detailed past extremist disruptions and advocated for inclusive policies, Ella Keeling - Sixth-grade student, articulate argument against flag ban, Milo Easley - Transgender high school student, shared personal testimony about need for support, Patricia Molnar - Teacher and GSA advisor at Redlands High School, emphasized student safety, Paula Brannon - Parent of bisexual student, spoke about child safety and belonging, Hannah Capps - Licensed clinical social worker and mental health professional, cited GLSEN research on harassment, John Swanson - Community resident, compared flag restrictions to civil rights opposition, Dominique Swanson - Long-time community member, connected flag policy to district mission, Erin Hudson - Educator in district, spoke about classroom experience with pride flag, Val Zavis - Community member, provided opposing viewpoint on flag policy

Topics: Pride flag display in schools · LGBTQ+ student safety and inclusion · School policies on flags and symbols · First Amendment and freedom of expression · Student mental health and belonging · Diversity and inclusion initiatives · School climate and safety · Educational environment for marginalized students