The Marysville Board of Education has released a statement about a photograph that stirred pride in some community members and outrage in others.
“As a board, we have a responsibility to represent both of them,” board member Dick Smith said.
The statement was the result of two special meetings concerning a photograph that drew a national spotlight on the local district. The decision making behind the statement drew a great deal of debate, as officials considered intent, free speech and empathy before finalizing the district’s official stance.
When a pair of recent Marysville alumni drew attention to the promotional photograph funded by the local football booster club, it quickly spread across social media. The photo of senior members of the Marysville football holding a variety of flags, including traditional American Flags as well as those altered to show support for various first responder groups and the military, was to be used on promotional posters.
Those opposing the photograph noted that the “thin blue line” flag has been used by some groups with racist connections. As online opposition to the photograph grew, locally support for the image galvanized the community behind support for local police, fire and military members.
The letter itself notes that district officials have been told that intent of the photograph was to support first responders related to members of the team, as well as a former team member who graduated early to join the military.
“It is important to understand that intent cannot be measured or evaluated in a picture,” the statement reads. “It is also important to recognize multiple perspectives…a symbol or flag can mean one thing to one person and something entirely different to another.”
The full wording of the statement can be found on page 2.
Board member Brian Luke said during Monday’s meeting he felt the statement could be perceived as weak, if it did not mention the root of the controversy. He said to explain the intended support of first responders and the military, without noting the potential racial divisiveness of some of the flags, felt like the board was taking sides.
“It feels a little weak to me to dance around the issue of race,” Luke said.
He said the original two individuals to object to the photo were Marysville alumni and a summary of their concerns should be included in the statement, as they represent the feelings of others.
“They’re still members of our community and I respect them,” Luke said.
Board member Nan Savidge asked if ignoring the racial issue would perceived as an intentional omission. Savidge noted that the photograph can be perceived as tone deaf given the current racial divide in the country, considering the history of the thin blue line flag which she called “mixed at best.”
Board member Amy Powers said she did not feel like pointing out individual reasons people were offended by the photo was wise. She said there could be several reasons why the photo stoked anger.
“Our job is not to be specific,” she said.
Luke, who said he, as a private citizen not representing the board, has marched and spoken at Black Lives Matter events, felt the inclusion of the racial issues strengthened that board’s statement.
Powers was against that idea and said she was proud of the original statement and did not want any mention of racism to be included.
“I feel that we will stir fires that don’t need to be stirred in this community,” Powers said.
The discussion also took a turn into the arena of protected speech as Savidge noted that the district is not allowed to take political stances, but students were wearing jerseys representing Marysville schools. As a former Marysville football coach, Smith said players are told that when they put on their jersey they represent their family, school and community.
But various board members agreed that individual students have a right to protected free speech, but when they come together as a collective the issue gets muddier.
Luke said the inclusion of the flags made the photograph a political statement, even if that was not the intent.
“It is political because it has flags in it that have meaning, including the American flag,” Luke said.
Luke said that the intention behind the photograph is irrelevant to him, because it is protected free speech, whether it makes a political statement or not.
“This is a political statement and it’s protected,” he said.
Superintendent Diane Allen said the true intent of the statement is to guide the district’s commitment to what comes next. She said the photograph has sparked discussion in the district which must be continued with “trust and a tone of decency with one another.”
Luke agreed, noting that perhaps the discussion of racism and equality is better served with a pledge to continue the conversation in schools, rather than a board statement. He said the district needs to foster all perspectives rather than trying to “oversee the political thought of our community.”
Smith focused on the idea that people in the local community need to be more kind to one another and open to differing ideas. He said he is disheartened to see how local citizens treated each other online.
“I thought our community was better than that,” he said.
Marysville District’s official statement
“Recently, the Monarch Quarterback Club, the booster organization which supports the Monarch Football team, released this year’s senior photograph. The Monarch Quarterback Club has sponsored, organized, and produced the senior picture and poster for many years. While we have a collaborative working relationship with the Monarch Quarterback Club and are grateful for the support they offer our student-athletes, we do not provide direct oversight of their organization. The booster group is a separate legal entity with their own governing board.
Through many conversations, we have been informed that the photograph was intended to honor various family and friends of the senior football players who serve as first responders and military personnel. Additionally, the picture was taken as a special recognition for a fellow teammate who chose to forego his senior year and graduate early to begin serving our country in the military.
As stated last week, it is easy to rush to judgment, especially right now with our society being so polarized. It is important to understand that intent cannot be measured or evaluated in a picture. It is also important to recognize multiple perspectives…a symbol or flag can mean one thing to one person and something entirely different to another.
We have worked diligently to promote and preserve an inclusive school culture as we fulfill our mission to provide a quality education. We consider this a teachable moment and an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to understand and respect the feelings of others. In the midst of the controversy associated with the photo, it is clear that we have a community full of pride and a collective interest in providing the best for our students. Additionally, we recognize the need for open communication in order to create awareness, foster empathy, and bring a better understanding amongst us all. It is ok to have differing opinions. Seeking to engage in respectful two-way communication will build trusting relationships. This is fundamental for us to move forward. We will passionately work towards a future that serves our students now and our community in the future.
We are incredibly fortunate and grateful to have a strong collaborative relationship with the first responders in Marysville and Union County. Simultaneously, we recognize the real pain felt across America due to all forms of injustice.
Our hope is that our community can come together, find common ground, and respectfully recognize multiple perspectives on this issue. When we choose to see only one side, one way, or one opinion, we limit our collective ability to see the rich character of our entire community. The beauty is when we can find commonalities and the “and” in our situations, that’s when we win. Can we honor and respect first responders AND fight against injustice? We say yes! We believe promoting a culture of respect, inclusion, and understanding will help us move forward in our community and allow us to come together as a stronger, better Monarch Nation and beyond.”
The full audio from the recent Board of Education meeting can be accessed via https://www.marysville.k12.oh.us/Downloads/Special%20Meeting%20August%2031,%202020.MP3