Cache County school officials consider new policies on displaying political symbols

CACHE COUNTY, Utah — Changes are in the works at schools in Cache County when it comes to posting symbols that some might consider political.

School officials are questioning if symbols like the pride flag should be allowed in the classrooms, something that pride activists are worried about.

“We’ve talked to kids in the schools, and they’ve told us their nightmare stories about what goes on there,” said Clay Essig, vice president of the Logan Pride Foundation.

He said LGBTQ students need all the support they can get, and he’s been working with parents that are afraid to speak up and put attention on their kids.

“And to that degree of fear going on in our schools, not just with the kids, but with their parent,” Essig explained.

It’s why he’s concerned about the upcoming policy changes regarding displaying these types of symbols at Logan City Schools.

But, Shana Longhurst, communications director for the Logan District, said it’s still unclear how the policy could turn out, and board members are trying to keep people on both sides happy.

“The Logan City School District is a very diverse school district, with our students and our community, and so they’ve been very deliberate in hearing both sides of the issue,” Longhurst said.

Administrators are working to implement their new policy in the Cache County District.

“We’re trying to give additional clarity and guidance for teachers,” said Alden Jack, the district’s director of Equity and Inclusion

He said symbols like the pride flag should only be posted in personal spaces, not in classrooms or halls.

“A teacher could make an expression like a pride symbol or an ally symbol in their personal space, and that has meaning for that individual, and it can have meaning for other students who come into that space,” Jack explained.

Currently, there is no policy in place to ban posters for the Gay Straight Alliance or other school functions in Cache County Schools. The new policy will give more guidance on employee expression.

The Logan School Board is expected to present its proposed policy next week.