File:  IMDB - FLAG PROTOCOLS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

The purpose of this policy is to establish the Framingham Public School's guidelines for the display of flags of governments recognized by the Federal Government, and other flags on school district property.

The school district's flagpoles and other indoor and outdoor locations are not intended to serve as a forum for free expression by the public. Rather, they are an expression of the school district's official sentiments.

The school district's flagpoles are only able to display two flags at the same time.

Flags Indoors:

The School Committee, in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 71, Section 69, directs that the American flag be flown in classrooms, auditoriums, and at other appropriate indoor locations throughout all school buildings. Additionally, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag shall be flown in all auditoriums.

Flags Outdoors:

The following flags will be displayed on flagpoles outdoors at school facilities as an expression of the school district's official sentiments:

1.  The United States of America flag shall be displayed year round;
2.  The Progress Flag shall be displayed year round;
3.  The Juneteenth flag shall be displayed the week of Juneteenth from Sunday to Sunday;
4.  The Disability Awareness flag shall be displayed the entire month of July; and
5.  If additional space exists on flagpoles, the Massachusetts flag shall be displayed year round.

Whenever necessary due to space reasons on the flagpole during the Juneteenth and/or Disability Awareness flag raising occurrences, the Progress Flag may be removed from the flagpole and displayed in an alternative prominent indoor or outdoor location.

All outdoor flags will be lowered to half-staff when directed by the President, Governor, or Mayor in honor of the death of a key individual, or in observance of a specific event or circumstance.

Flags Displayed in Conjunction With Official Events or Ceremonies:

Official School District Events/Ceremonies: By the authorization of the Superintendent or designee, other flags may be displayed indoors and/or outdoors (but not on flagpoles) on a case by case basis as part of official school district events or ceremonies. This authorization is intended to be only for short-term events scheduled during one calendar day. If granted, this serves as an expression of the school district's official sentiments in the furtherance of the District's educational goals, programs, activities, or events.

Permitted Events by Non-School District Organizations: By the authorization of the Superintendent, as part of a permit for outside organization's events on school property, other flags may be displayed indoors and/or outdoors (but not on flagpoles) on a case by case basis. This authorization is intended to be only for permitted short-term events scheduled during one calendar day. In this situation, only flags of governments or organizations recognized by the Federal Government such as the U.S. Military branches, foreign nation's flags, as well as official professional sports teams, and the flags on school district flagpoles (U.S., Massachusetts, POW MIA, Pride, and Disability Awareness) are eligible. If granted, this serves as an expression of the school district's official sentiments in the furtherance of the District's educational goals, programs, activities, or events. Therefore it is important that detailed review be completed as part of any request by non-school district organizations.

Other Provisions:

All flags shall have been manufactured in the United States.

If any provision of this policy shall be held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, then such provision shall be considered separately and apart from the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect.

LEGAL REF.:

M.G.L. 2.6

M.G.L. 2.6A

M.G.L. 43.81

M.G.L. 71:69

CROSS REF.:

Article X, Section 8 (City of Framingham Ordinances): Display of Flags on Municipal Property

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Flag Status and Notifications

Federal "Our Flag" Publication of the Congress, House Document No. 96-144

This policy was updated and approved by the Framingham School Committee in Open Session on October 1, 2023.