Coeur d'Alene School District responds to 'everyone is welcome' sign ruling

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador issued a formal opinion June 30 regarding House Bill 41, which adds to an existing law to allow or prohibit the display of certain flags and banners on school property, bringing the “Everyone is welcome here” signs in Idaho’s public schools into question.

"Our responsibility as a school district is not to make or interpret law, but to comply with state law, the Idaho State Department of Education and the attorney general’s opinion," Coeur d'Alene School District Executive Director of Community Relations Stefany Bales said.

HB41 went into effect July 1, but as students have just returned to the classroom, schools are only now dealing with the results of the law.

Bales said her understanding of this guidance is that the words "Everyone is welcome here" were not viewed as political by the Idaho Department of Education.

"We continue to encourage staff to demonstrate through their words, actions and practices that every student is valued, respected and supported," Bales said.

Following that opinion, the Idaho Department of Education released related guidance where variations of the sign using alternative wording or design are allowed.

Idaho Code 33-143 prohibits the display of banners or flags that represent “political, religious or ideological views, including but not limited to political parties, race, gender, sexual orientation or political ideologies.” 

According to the Idaho Department of Education, the statutory definition of “banner” provides that it represents “a political, religious or ideological expression.” 

The Department of Education will consider whether a displayed flag or banner illustrates or shows opinion, emotions, beliefs or thoughts regarding politics, economics, society, faith or religion in its enforcement responsibilities. 

According to the department, the stated purpose of this law is “to ensure that flags and banners displayed on public school property do not promote political, religious or ideological viewpoints in order to maintain a neutral and inclusive environment for all students.”

Bales said she was not aware of any signs having been removed from Coeur d'Alene classrooms because of updates to the legislation.

In a Wednesday letter to the editor, Hayden resident Tamara Sines-Kermelis stated that as an educator, she found the district's response to be deeply disappointing.

"These signs do not violate Idaho’s new flag law," Sines-Kermelis wrote in the letter. "They are simple, powerful reminders that every child, no matter their background, belongs in our schools."

By choosing to follow Labrador’s opinion rather than the plain text of the law, Sines-Kermelis said the district sends the wrong message: That inclusion is controversial, and that kindness has no place in classrooms.

"Nothing could be further from the truth," she said.