Redlands school board approves labor agreements tied to flag display policy

REDLANDS, Calif. — The Redlands Unified School District Board of Education approved two negotiated agreements with employee unions addressing a recently adopted policy on flag displays and commemorations.

Why it matters: The agreements, approved in a 3–2 vote with board members Jeannette Wilson and Candy Olson voting no, resolve an impasse between the district and employee unions over the implementation of Board Policy 6115 – Ceremonies and Observations.

The policy, adopted earlier this year, limits which flags may be displayed on school property to the U.S. flag, the California state flag, military flags and displays tied to approved curriculum. Student clubs may still display flags during their own events. The policy also requires daily patriotic exercises, including the Pledge of Allegiance, and states that school-sponsored events should emphasize academic or civic values without endorsing political, social or religious beliefs.

Following the policy’s adoption, the district entered negotiations with the Redlands Teachers Association (RTA) and the Redlands Education Support Professionals Association (RESPA) over how the rules would apply to employees’ workspaces and personal items.

Details: The negotiated agreements clarify that employees may continue displaying personal items at their work desks even if those items fall outside the parameters of the policy.

Under the agreement, staff members "shall have the right to place personal items on their work desk … consistent with historic practices," meaning teachers and staff can continue displaying items they traditionally have kept at their desks.

For employees who do not have a desk, the agreement allows personal items to be displayed in an alternative designated workspace with supervisor approval. That alternative space could include items such as a podium, table or cart used in place of a desk.

Any items displayed outside those designated spaces would still be subject to the district’s flag policy.

During the meeting, Superintendent Juan Cabral explained that the agreements were designed to reflect common classroom practices.

"As far as different examples of what’s OK and what’s not OK, it’s something that was discussed at the table," Cabral said. "Looking at what’s on your desk, what has historically been a practice — it could be pictures, a pendant maybe."

He said an example of something that would not be allowed would be "draping your desk with any specific flag or painting your desk."

What they’re saying: Olson argued that teachers should avoid displaying items that promote political, religious or controversial viewpoints.

"We need to keep our spaces, our teachers’ spaces neutral and be respectful of all families and their values," Olson said. "It is really coming from a common sense position of neutrality."

Wilson echoed those concerns, raising questions about how religious or ideological displays might affect families’ perceptions of public schools.

"It would help some parents decide to keep their kids in a public school when they don't have to have their own moral or religious views countered by their child's teacher," Wilson said. "Let the teachers focus on education, and what is on their desk should be related to education."

Olson also directly challenged board President Michele Rendler over her support for the policy.

"The fact that there is no dimensions or the fact that you would be okay with just all... concerns to the wind," Olson said. "It's basically the same exact thing – the flags on the walls versus on the desk, without any type of restrictions."

Rendler responded that her support for the agreement was based on historic classroom practices by teachers.

Board Vice President Patty Holohan said she trusted educators to handle the responsibility appropriately.

"Our teachers are professional,” Holohan said. "I think they will respect boundaries."

Moving forward: While the agreements resolve the labor impasse over the implementation of Board Policy 6115, it does not signal union support for the policy itself.

Language in the agreements states they "do not constitute the Association’s agreement with the policy itself" and do not prevent the unions from pursuing additional action regarding the policy.

Either party may reopen negotiations with 15 workdays’ written notice.