Hartland Arrowhead safe spaces banned, board recommends

HARTLAND, Wis. - Hartland Arrowhead school leaders and community members met again Tuesday, June 20 to discuss a controversial policy proposal. 

If approved, it would ban things like Pride flags in school buildings. Stickers, signs and other items with political affiliation, race, and gender preference also would not be allowed. 

Some argue the policy is too vague and could lead to unintended consequences. 

The board recommended that safe spaces be banned. Board members said allowing certain areas to be designated as safe spaces implies only certain areas of the building are "safe" at Arrowhead Union High School. The board also proposed to not specifically ban signs or banners related to LGBTQ or Black Lives Matter.

Leaders discussed what would happen if a teacher tried to articulate something that they felt was curriculum related.

"Let's say they were doing U.S. history, and they said, ‘Well the Confederate flag had a historical sense in it,’ and the district might say, even, ‘One could argue that particular symbol would be so disruptive for the educational environment that we do not feel its appropriate we have the Confederate rebel flag up in a classroom setting,’" one person said.

The board has asserted its right to disapprove of any signs or displays within the high school. The final vote on this matter is scheduled for July 12th. 

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Waukesha and Kettle Moraine schools have similar policies in place. The policy, as it is written now, does not include students' clothes or personal items, so long as it is within the dress code.