Oklahoma investigating school policies after student barred from displaying U.S. flag

The Oklahoma Department of Education has made “promoting patriotism” a priority after a public-school student was told he could no longer display the American flag while on school property.

“What we’re going to continue to do is ask questions of Edmond Public Schools to tell us what their policy is, how their actions aligned with that policy and how that policy aligns with our guidance,” said Ryan Walters, state superintendent, during a Sept. 26 state board meeting. “I want the parents that have reached out to know that we will ensure that students’ individual rights are protected and that we will be promoting patriotism.”

The superintendent’s office heard from many community members after Caleb Horst, a senior at Edmond North High School, shared in August how the school had asked him to remove the flag from his pickup truck. Friends shared his photo on social media, sparking widespread outrage. 

In response, Walters released district guidelines to ensure the U.S. flag can be displayed “without infringement” on school campuses, “though it’s questionable if Walters has the unilateral authority to force districts to comply with the guidelines,” according to The Oklahoman. 

From a ‘long-standing practice’ barring flags to ‘largely in line’ with guidelines 

Edmond Public Schools called itself “proudly patriotic” and argued its existing rules are “largely in line” with Walters’ guidelines. 

“While the district does not currently have a policy regarding flags, it is important to note that our current practice is largely in line with these new guidelines,” The Oklahoman quoted a district spokesperson in a statement. “The district has begun working on language that can accomplish both safety and respect for the flag. That process includes advice from organizations with a long, existing history of honoring the flag.” 

This marks a reversal from the district’s position at the time of the incident, when it argued how a no-flag policy helped prevent disruption to the learning environment. 

“You can’t allow one [flag] and limit another,” Jeff Bardach, the district’s public information officer, had said. “It’s been our long-standing practice to not allow students to bring flags.” 

Later, parents in the Edmond district received an email from superintendent Angela Grunewald explaining how the policy developed in 2017. 

She highlighted several incidents, “including fights and other aggressive behavior, at our Edmond high schools where the American flag was being displayed improperly and grossly disrespected.” 

As a result, the school decided not to allow any flags in its stadiums and parking lots, “thus reducing the disruptive and sometimes violent behavior and eliminating the possibility of the U.S. flag being disrespected or used inappropriately,” she wrote. 

However, the school could find other means of allowing students to display the flag respectfully without violating their First Amendment rights, several state officials argued. 

“The American flag is a powerful symbol of our nation’s history, values, and the freedoms we cherish. It represents unity, sacrifice, and the shared ideals that bind us together as Americans. Displaying the flag, especially within educational settings, fosters a sense of patriotism and respect for the principles upon which our country was founded,” four lawmakers wrote in a letter to Grunewald. 

“In the case of the student who chose to display the American flag on his truck, it is important to recognize his actions as an expression of patriotism and personal belief. The rights of individuals, including the freedom to express oneself and the right to display symbols on personal property, are fundamental to our democracy. This is especially true when such expressions are respectful and in alignment with the values of our nation.” 

The flag had been flown before at the school without incurring any problems, Horst noted in an interview with KOCO-TV. 

“I’ve never really had problems with it before, and it’s our First Amendment,” he said, “so it’s kind of hard for them to infringe upon our rights.”