Redlands Unified unions push back against proposed flag and cultural observance restrictions

REDLANDS, Calif. — Unions representing Redlands Unified teachers and professional staff are pushing back against a proposed policy that would limit flag displays and restrict cultural observances in the Redlands Unified School District.

In a joint letter on Jan. 17, representatives of the Redlands Teachers Association (RTA) and Redlands Education Support Professionals Association (RESPA) demanded the school board cease efforts to adopt Board Policy 6115 in its current form.

Why it matters: The Redlands Unified school board joins a growing number of districts in the Inland Empire and across the United States debating policies related to cultural diversity and partisan issues. According to a recent UC Riverside and UCLA report, such conflicts have cost school districts billions of dollars in legal fees, increased security, and staff time.

Background of the policy proposal: The proposed policy was discussed during the Jan. 14, 2025, school board meeting.

Backed by newly elected trustees Candy Olson and Jeannette Wilson, the policy would allow only the U.S. and California flags to be displayed on district campuses and would restrict events or celebrations deemed political or ideological.

More than 460 public comments regarding the policy were submitted by email, with 400 in opposition. About 100 attendees lined up outside the school board meeting to watch or share their perspectives.

During the meeting, many public commenters voiced concerns over potential legal battles and the cost of implementing the policy.

Olson, who represents Trustee Area 1, attempted to reassure the public about legal concerns over the proposal.

"We spoke to both of the union presidents. We included them in this process and adopted a lot of their suggestions, and they had fantastic input, I'll tell you. We really valued hearing from them and took into consideration everything that they said."

Following the meeting, the teachers’ unions condemned the proposal.

Teachers' unions respond: In their letter, the RTA and RESPA presidents argued that the policy would violate state and federal laws protecting employee and student rights and infringe upon the district’s obligations to bargain under the Educational Employment Relations Act (EERA).

Prohibiting certain flags “unlawfully interferes with employees' rights to engage in symbolic speech and expressive conduct,” the unions stated in its letter dated Jan. 16, 2025.

They also criticized the policy as “vague and overly broad” regarding limitations on classroom discussions and school-sponsored events.

"These restrictions conflict with California law, which requires public schools to provide inclusive environments free from discrimination and to promote quality and critical thinking," the letter stated.

The union presidents warned that the district’s duty to bargain in good faith under EERA would be at risk if the board adopted Policy 6115.

Big picture: A recent study by UC Riverside and UCLA researchers found that conflicts over race, LGBTQ+ rights and partisan issues cost school districts nationwide $3.2 billion in the 2023-24 school year.

These disputes, which have escalated since the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to increased expenses for security, legal fees, and staff time.

The study surveyed 467 school superintendents, estimating that per 10,000 students, cultural conflicts cost an average of:

• $249,765 in low-conflict districts,
• $485,065 in moderate-conflict districts, and
• $811,805 in high-conflict districts.

Conflicts also create administrative burdens, including an influx of public records requests and legal battles, and have a chilling effect on classroom instruction, said UC Riverside education professor Joseph Kahne, a co-author of the study.

"You find principals and superintendents not promoting teacher training about topics such as the history of racial discrimination in the U.S., or climate change, or whether or not the 2020 election results were accurate," Kahne told CalMatters. "Schools should provide students with opportunities for fact-based discussion using evidence and argument."

Moving forward: To address these challenges, researchers emphasize the need for community involvement in school board discussions to foster productive dialogue and reduce hostility.

At the direction of the school board, Redlands Unified is preparing a survey for students, teachers, and parents regarding the proposed policy.