MARBLEHEAD—  The School Committee Policy Subcommittee presented its proposed flag and banner policy before having to end the meeting early due to explicit content being sent to the committee through Zoom.

Explicit content has been recently sent through Zoom on three other occasions. One time at a select board meeting and at two other school committee meetings.

The proposed flag and banner policy states that the Marblehead School Committee is the governing and policy-making body of the Marblehead Public Schools and has the sole authority to determine that flags, banners, and similar symbolic displays on school district property reflect the school district’s mission, vision, and values and constitute the school district’s government speech. The School Committee has therefore developed this policy which is subject to the following rules: 

“Flags that have official legal status — the United States flag, the Massachusetts state flag, the POW/MIA flag, and the town of Marblehead flag — shall be displayed on school property,” The policy states. The school district shall also comply with the relevant provisions of state law which generally prohibits displaying the flag or emblem of a foreign country outside state, county, or municipal buildings and public schools, with an exception for public buildings other than schools when foreign dignitaries visit.

After some discussion, Chair of the school committee Jenn Schaeffner said, “Alison (Taylor) and I agreed it’s the right thing.”

When Friday’s meeting was opened for public comment, it was disrupted with a “zoom bomb” of explicit material and abruptly ended. The recording was subsequently not posted and Schaeffner reported the incident to the Marblehead Police Department. 

When adopting a new policy, the policy must have three open meeting readings before the policy can be voted upon, Schaeffner said. The second reading will take place at the School Committee retreat on Aug.14. 

Schaeffner said the committee plans to have another opportunity for the public to comment on the policy because it  got cut short. There will be a third reading to the full School Committee as well. The committee is trying to adopt a new flag and banner policy before the opening day of school on Sept. 3.

Schaeffner bought up policies for the boards consideration such as teaching controversial subjects, and JIC policy on student conduct, outlined expectations, and disciplinary actions to be enforced. The current policy states it’s “under review” and the policy has to be approved. 

Taylor discussed setting a policy for two recesses for elementary school children. 

These were requested to be put “top of mind” for Superintendent John Robidoux.