School board hears from student, others

PENDLETON — They were called “courageous” for speaking up by the head of the local school board.
Multiple residents, a student, a former teacher and other concerned citizens were among the speakers at the May 20 meeting of South Madison Community School Corp. Board of School Trustees. They expressed disapproval of the board’s recent decision to remove LGBTQ+ pride flags from classrooms at Pendleton Heights High School.
Along with those who spoke at the meeting, many others attended to provide support.
The flags were being displayed in a handful of classrooms, but they were removed based on the premise that they are political.
Nearly all speakers addressed the board calling the dispute a human rights issue, not a political one.
“The point I wanted to focus on was the mental health of my peers,” Pendleton Heights sophomore Tai Wills told the board.

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The sophomore was the first of eight to address the board.
“(The flags are) important to me because it gives hope. Luckily for me I have supportive parents, but a lot of students don’t, and school is the only safe place that they have,” she said.
Wills said she was also concerned that a Gay-Straight Alliance club was not allowed to be active. She said at first she thought it was related to the COVID-19 pandemic but later realized other clubs were meeting.
Missy Darr of Anderson read a letter from a student not ready to come out as part of the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) community.
The letter stated, “(We’re) striving for equality and it feels like they’re striving for silence, but we won’t be silent.”
After the meeting, Darr said, “Honestly, I want (the board) to hear what the students are saying. I want them to hear what the parents are saying. I want these students that don’t have anyone that supports them at home to have somewhere to go.”
“I keep hearing the word ‘political,’” James Wills, the father of Tai Wills, said. “It isn’t a political issue; it’s a human rights issue.”
Along with questioning the board’s decision to remove the flags, many of those who spoke were critical of a statement sent out to students, parents and staff from board President Bill Hutton.
In the statement, a comparison was made that if the LGBTQ+ flags were allowed, then so would flags that represent white supremacists.
Hutton clarified the statement in the meeting that it was made to establish that the two groups are directly opposed to each other, and if you allow one flag you would have to allow the other.
Hutton said he does not condone white supremacy.
“I wanted (the board) to understand the difference they can make with the kids,” James Wills added on why he and the others came to the meeting to speak to the board. “LGBTQ+ kids are bullied relentlessly in high schools. It’s quite difficult for them. To know teachers have a safe place for them is important.
“I’m glad people got a chance to vocalize how they feel. It was nice, respectful, friendly,
but I don’t have any sense that it made a difference.”
Hutton said he would be in discussion with Superintendent Mark Hall, also in attendance at the meeting, along with the school board, to talk about the concerns raised.
“They are courageous by coming and speaking,” Hutton said. “This is a highly emotional situation. I wish I had a magic wand that I could wave and all of society would be more understanding. I appreciate what they have come up with.”