Another, Krista Stewart, said she thought the only flag that should be flown in classrooms is the American flag.

 Few speakers concerned about Pride flag

One speaker during the meeting said he was concerned that the LGBTQ+ Pride flag being flown in a classroom could influence children, which he disagreed with.

Another, Krista Stewart, said she thought the only flag that should be flown in classrooms is the American flag.

Stewart added that she hopes “there’s a policy in place” regarding flying flags in Atascadero school classrooms.

She may have been referencing the policy change that occurred in the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District after a teacher at the high school displayed a Pride flag that then got torn down and defecated on in a toilet by a student.

After the hateful September 2021 incident, which later made international headlines, the school district implemented a policy that limited flags flown in classrooms to 2 feet by 2 feet in size.

The new Paso Robles policy sparked outrage by the community, and students organized a “Coming Out Against Hate” event where they shared stories of LGBTQ+ hate they’d experienced and demanded the school district do better for queer youth. Hundreds of people showed up to the October 2021 event, and the school district later formed a task force to improve conditions for LGBTQ+ students.

Atascadero Superintendent Butler told The Tribune before the Tuesday evening meeting that all dialogue from community members regarding the Pride flag in Atascadero schools was welcome.

He also reiterated the school district’s commitment in supporting Pence for displaying the LGBTQ+ Pride flag.

“She’s a very strong teacher,” he said. “We want everyone to feel welcome and supported at our schools.”