Teachers in Manhattan Elementary District 114 took down their own bulletin boards last week in solidarity with a teacher after her bulletin board with LGBTQ symbols in hearts was ordered removed as a result of a new school board policy, the teacher union president said.
Susan Kubik said she personally took down the hearts bulletin board at Wilson Creek Elementary School in Manhattan Feb. 15. Throughout the day, all teachers in the building took down the content of their hallway bulletin boards but kept up any colored paper backgrounds and borders, she said.
“That was to support the teacher who has always advocated for her students. She’s one of the best ones we have in the district and, quite honestly, has handled herself with grace beyond belief,” Kubik said.
When the hearts bulletin board was up, Kubik said students did not ask about the meaning of the colors they saw. The students just commented on how colorful the bulletin board was, she said.
“In our building and our district, those kids see those hearts as love and acceptance and that’s it. We’ve never had conversations of gender or sexuality,” said Kubik, a kindergarten teacher. “We don’t even talk about the Easter bunny and God. When things are brought up we say, ‘Have a conversation with your grown ups.’”
Over the last few days, Kubik said teachers have started putting up content on their bulletin boards approved by building administrators.
The teachers expected the policy, Kubik said, and they will honor it. The hardest part about enforcing the policy, Kubik said, is watching teachers second guess their actions.
“My only sadness comes with seeing colleagues that I respect and that I’ve worked with for years hesitate and question what I know they’ve been doing with credibility and grace all along for our students and our families in Manhattan,” Kubik said.
The school board approved a new bulletin board policy Feb. 14 to address concerns about a hearts bulletin board in the hallway of Wilson Creek School, which serves preschool through second grade students.
The bulletin board had 12 hearts on it, two that read “open heart” and “open minds” and 10 hearts with different colors. The display included one heart with a rainbow design and a design with a white stripe and pink and blue stripes on both sides.
A rainbow flag is a symbol of the LGTBQ community, while the transgender pride flag has a white stripe with light pink and blue stripes on either side.
About 100 parents attended the school board meeting in January to voice their concerns and support for the bulletin board. The board voted Feb. 14 on a new bulletin board policy, with board member Cheryl Donovan voting against it, that required the removal of the hearts bulletin board.
A few days later, District 114 Superintendent Russell Ragon and Director of Human Resources Christine Ruddy resigned for “personal reasons,” according to the district letter to parents.
Kubik said she spoke with Ruddy, who told her they did not resign because of the bulletin board policy.
“I can confirm it has nothing to do with the bulletin board or changes in policy,” Kubik said. “On behalf of the teachers, they are and will continue to deliver high quality education with integrity to all of our students as we always have.”
Kubik said she did not know the cause for their resignations. Teachers and staff were shocked and confused by the actions.
“The staff have faith in the school board and know that they have the best interest in the district through their actions,” Kubik said.
The school board held a special meeting Thursday and appointed Ron Pacheco, the principal of Manhattan Junior High, as interim superintendent while a search for a new permanent superintendent is done.
Vince Perillo, the vice principal of Manhattan Junior High, was named principal and Gina Burlison vice principal.
The concern about the hearts bulletin board was never brought to the school administration or the teacher that put up the bulletin board, Kubik said. The concern was first shared on social media, she said.
“She was never asked to take it down or refused. I, as union president, never refused,” Kubik said. “I asked the superintendent, whoever is saying they want it down to put the directive in writing. That caused them to have to rewrite the policy because our policy didn’t cover it.”
akukulka@chicagotribune.com