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JUNE 13, 2024
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Proud progress on flag policy Educators recommend putting students at center of flag display decisions BY JASON STARR Observer staff The Pride Progress flag has been flying at the entrance to Williston Central School since February, sharing a flagpole with the Black Lives Matter flag that was raised in 2020. How long the flags should remain, positioned as they are next to the U.S. and Vermont state flags, has been the subject of a protracted debate drawing in students, educators, school board members and citizens. Despite a school board policy adopted in 2022 that limits the display of flags (other than the U.S. and Vermont flags) to no more than 20 consecutive school days, the board has agreed to keep the Black Lives Matter flag up at all district schools indefinitely.
The Pride Progress flag display also has no end date. “We have no plans to take the
A close up of the Pride Progress flag that is flying at WCS. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
flag down at this time or in the future,” Williston Lead Principal
Greg Marino said, adding that the Pride Progress flag will go up at Allen Brook School as soon as a second flagpole is installed at the K-2 school, likely this summer. Created in 2018, the Pride Progress flag is a symbol of “diversity and inclusion” representing LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual) people of all colors, according to Outright International. Williston Central School’s Gender & Sexuality Alliance presented a petition to school administrators at the beginning of the school year to have the flag raised and, in February, led a flag-raising ceremony outside the school. “It’s a sign we accept everyone,” one of the students said in the petition. see FLAG page 4
The Pride Progress flag has joined the Black Lives Matter flag on display outside WCS this school year. The flag is expected to be raised at Allen Brook School this summer. OBSERVER PHOTO BY JASON STARR
MAKING THEIR RUN
Angela Arsenault
Ginny Lyons
Erin Brady
Bruce Roy
Candidates line up for Statehouse seat nominations BY JASON STARR Observer staff
The Democratic Primary Election in August for nominations to represent Williston in the Vermont Senate will be contested with four candidates vying for three seats. Also, Williston’s Bruce Roy will run uncontested for a Republican nomination, setting up a contest
between him and three Democrats in the General Election in November. Williston is part of the Chittenden Southeast Senate District along with several neighboring municipalities. Incumbents Thomas Chittenden of South Burlington, Ginny Lyons of Williston and Kesha Ram Hinsdale of Shelburne are all running for re-election. Chal-
lenging them for a Democratic nomination is Louis Meyers of South Burlington. The deadline for candidates to file petitions with the Vermont Secretary of State to appear on primary ballots passed May 30. The Primary Election will be held Aug. 13. In the House of Representatives, incumbents Erin Brady see CANDIDATES page 12
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