The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
On a 5-1 vote Southern School board members voted to "prohibit the use and display of the confederate flag from all school grounds and athletic events with the exception of any historical artwork."
Board members took awhile Monday night to come to an agreement on just how far the issue of the flag should be taken.
Doug Brooks reported that he and Brendan Schaley had met with the high school students after the game with Chicago International Charter School-Longwood was canceled because of the confederate flag. They met again with the Student Council on Monday to get their views on what they would like to see done. He said they were impressed with the students, who asked some really tough questions, that he couldn't answer. The students were upset at being portrayed as racist, however they kept a level head and agreed to stop flying the flag at football games, he said. The students also agreed to let the board make the decision on the painted flags on the gym floor and the walls because of the expense involved.
The gym floor cannot be redone at present because of the amount of time it takes, and it is likely the decor on the walls of the gym will change next year when the school becomes part of the West Central Conference. A time frame for the these changes was not set.
The IHSA recommendation referred only to a problem with the flag, Principal Dale Buss reminded the board.
Superintendent Barber stated he had talked to the board's attorney and he said there are a few exceptions to freedom of speech and this is one of them. The board does have the right to restrict clothing, also.
"Enforcement will be a nightmare", predicts Principal Buss.