More than 1,000 postcard were delivered the school board ahead of Tuesday's meeting

REDLANDS, Calif. — More than 1,000 postcards urging the Redlands Unified School District (RUSD) Board of Education to reject a proposed policy restricting flags and political speech in schools were delivered Monday by the community group Together for Redlands.

The postcards, some designed by RUSD students, were circulated among church groups, school clubs, and local families in Redlands, Highland, Loma Linda, and Mentone, the group said in a media release Feb. 10.

The effort is part of growing opposition to a policy introduced last month by board member Candy Olson, the newly elected Trustee Area 5 representative.

The proposed policy would allow only the U.S. and California flags to be displayed on district campuses and restrict events or celebrations deemed political or ideological. 

Olson argued the policy addresses parent concerns about ideological influences in classrooms and said some families had left the district over such issues. “Parents want a neutral learning environment,” she said during the January board meeting.

The policy has sparked debate within the board and the broader community. Critics argue the policy marginalizes students and undermines cultural representation.

“We need to teach our children about diversity and tolerance,” said Samantha Trad, a member of Together for Redlands. “Banning symbols and restricting teachers from discussing anything political does not prepare our students for how to handle the real world and, frankly, it’s un-American. We should be celebrating our differences, not hiding them.” 

Before the board's January meeting, more than 460 public comments regarding the policy were submitted by email, with 400 in opposition. During the meeting, members Olson and Jeanette Wilson expressed support for the measure while board member Melissa Ayala-Quintero and Vice President Patty Holohan opposed it.

Board President Michele Rendler proposed conducting a community survey to assess public support for the policy.

Additionally, the California Teachers Association (CTA) issued a cease-and-desist letter, warning that the policy would infringe on educators' rights.

The proposed policy follows a pattern seen in other Southern California school districts, where conservative-majority boards have sought to limit classroom discussions on topics they consider political.

“A similar policy cost Chino and Temecula thousands of dollars—money that needs to stay in our schools,” said Trisha Keeling, executive director of Together for Redlands in a media release Feb. 10. “The last thing our district needs is to waste money on lawsuits against the state that clearly violate our First Amendment rights.”

Opposition to the measure has galvanized residents, with Together for Redlands organizing community engagement events, including weekly Sunday meetings at Olive Avenue Market and Friday happy hours at Escape Brewery. These gatherings have served as collection points for postcards and forums for residents to voice their concerns.

The RUSD board has not yet scheduled a vote on the policy.