SHERBURNE – Teachers, students and concerned residents gathered Wednesday night to discuss student suspensions surrounding the Confederate Flag.
“The fact of the matter is that it [displaying of the Confederate Flag in the school by students] became a disruption,” said Sherburne-Earlville Superintendent Eric Schnabl. “It does have historical reference, yes, but it is what it has evolved into. They [students] know the KKK, they know Dylan Roof, and people can say that it symbolizes being a redneck, or racism, or the southern army … but we’re dealing with the present now.”
Parents and even concerned citizens aired their concerns at the public forum which lasted nearly two hours.
Schnabl explained that there was a petition that was started by students who wished the flag not be allowed to be displayed in school. He said that a supporter of wearing the symbol “posed as someone against the display of the flag” and went in the room with the group against displaying the flag to tear up the petition.
“That’s when it becomes a disruption,” said Schnabl. “We’re not here to say anyone’s opinion is right or wrong or to change anyone’s mind on the matter, but there is a limit to free speech in a public school.”
The superintendent explained that students displaying the flag in recent weeks were asked to cover it up. Those who did not comply were sat down with faculty and if they were insubordinate, some were suspended.
Schnabl said the suspension count was less than ten, despite rumors of nearly forty student suspensions.
“There were more than 100 copies of the flag printed out on a school printer and they were placed on shirts, classroom doors, and lockers,” said Schnabl. “Again, this is when it becomes disruptive to the learning process.”
Said Schnabl, “For some, this symbol represent racism and hate. For others, it represents history. But when something escalates to a potential disruption, we have to take action.”
One parent in attendance spoke and brought his son up to the speaking area with him. His son, a S-E student, was wearing a shirt depicting the flag being discussed. The father asked attendees to raise their hands if the shirt offended them. Less than a third of those in the room raised their hands.
“If you want the connotation of the flag changed, go to the extremist groups and tell them to stop giving it a bad name,” said Schnabl.
Schnabl explained that he is of German decent and that he has a family member buried in a mass grave. “I fully understand historical context of many things, but the issue here is not only the potential disruption but also the safety of the students in the district. If someone feels in danger because of another student’s display, we must take action.”
After one parent explained that the flag is commonly linked with the term “redneck,” and this area is a “redneck area,” it was rebutted that the term ‘redneck’ has a negative connotation in the dictionary.
One woman spoke and said that while S-E is not an overly diverse school, there could be African American students offended by the display of the flag and afraid to speak up. She said everyone’s safety should be taken into account and that removal of the flag from school property was the proper decision to take into account safety and respect for all – including those scared to speak out about their dissent. “It takes a brave soul to speak up about something like this, and when you’re outnumbered by so many, it is hard,” she said.
Another woman said her daughter was suspended for having the flag displayed on her planner. The daughter additionally spoke. “What’s next, though? What comes after this? Why are we not hearing from the other group? We’re hearing that one side is wrong and the other side is right.”
Said Schnabl, “We are not asking anyone to change their opinion on the matter of the flag, but again, first amendment rights are limited in public school. It’s not just the flag, there are other things not allowed in the school, but in this case it escalated and became an issue we needed to address. We are a nation of rules and laws. When you step into a public school, you’re expected to comply with its code of conduct.”
One parent said that he appreciated the respectful discourse and differing opinions, but said that conversations need to take place at home, not just at school. “Children are always going to rebel,” he said. “In my day, it was the pot leaf. Today, they’re using the flag. Different symbols but the rebellion is going to be there, it always will.”
Another woman spoke up and said that as a tax payer, she would like see the suspended students return to school as soon as possible and comply to the rule of not displaying the flag. “I am supporting the students now with my tax dollars,” she said. “I want them to get an education and a job. I’m not going to support them with my tax dollars as an adult.”
Schnabl explained that the school needs to be a place where students and faculty feel safe, and he said he feels the decision is a step in the right direction.
Prior to the end of the meeting, many parents in attendance expressed thanks to everyone who came and respectfully shared their thoughts.
An attendee, Susan Webster, said Thursday morning, “ The Superintendent, Eric Schnabl took the time to respectfully and patiently listen to various viewpoints from members in the audience. Although there was a definite division with viewpoints from those in attendance, everyone was given equal opportunity to speak if they wished to. In my estimation the foundational issue in this case is not the flag itself, but the disruption that this has caused to the fundamental job of the staff at the S-E MS/HS and that is to educate our students and provide a safe atmosphere free from harassment and intimidation.”
Webster continued, “The viewpoint from several parents in attendance seemed to be that their children were being unfairly targeted and given disciplinary consequences without any discussion or due process. That was not the case. In each situation, the students wearing or displaying the Confederate flag were given opportunity to discuss their reasoning, beliefs and viewpoints with adults at the school including teaching staff and administrators. The students were given the opportunity to simply cover up the symbols and they refused which escalated into insubordinate behavior. At this point it was necessary to give disciplinary consequences as per the code of conduct for the district.”
Said Webster, “The insubordination continued with students making hundreds of copies of the Confederate flag symbol and displaying them on teachers classroom doors, student lockers and various other places in the school without permission. I know that there were students in school who were intimidated, unnerved and felt threatened by that overwhelming display. They may or may not have spoken up publicly due to fear of retribution by those students who were becoming increasingly bold with their displays.”
“The Confederate flag symbol may have been created originally as a military flag with different connotations, however the fact that this symbol has evolved into something symbolizing intolerance, hate, bigotry and racism is undeniable. These ideas have no place in a public school setting and certainly have the potential to cause a substantial disruption to the school day and as such the Administration at S-E schools have not only the right but the duty to act. I support them for doing so,” said Webster.
Schnabl said that this is not only a school matter, but a community-wide matter.

Ashley Babbitt Photo