How West Ada schools just tightened classroom-display rules after DEI uproar
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- West Ada School Board approved a new display policy aligned with state law.
- New rules ban classroom posters with political, social, or religious messages.
- Policy includes appeal process involving school leadership and district review.
The West Ada School Board has voted to change its policy surrounding classroom decorations, a subject of high interest since a middle school teacher was told to take down her “Everyone is welcome here” poster.
The policy includes measures that reflect a new state law regulating the posting of banners or flags in public school classrooms. The law, which took effect July 1, prohibits teachers and school administrators from posting banners or flags with political implications in public schools.
The policy passed Monday on a 3-1 vote, with Chair Lori Frasure and Trustees Lucas Baclayon and Angie Redford in favor, and Rene Ozuna against. Trustee David Binetti was absent.
Sarah Inama had a poster with the words “Everyone is welcome here” hanging in her Lewis and Clark Middle School classroom for four years before the West Ada School District told her to take it down. The poster included images of hands of different skin tones underneath the wording, which Attorney General Raúl Labrador says makes it political.
“…The design reveals its true purpose: colorful letters above imagery designed to signal adherence to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” Labrador said in an op-ed posted on the Office of the Attorney General’s website.
Additionally, the Idaho Department of Education released guidance saying teachers should not display flags or banners showing opinions about politics, economics, society, faith or religion.
West Ada’s new policy requires adherence to content-neutrality rules. The policy outlines examples of accepted flags, banners and posters, such as official state flags and posters used for learning material, like the periodic table.
It also includes instructions on how teachers and administrators can appeal orders to remove flags and banners already posted. The principal and the school leadership team will review appeals and vote on an outcome.
If a consensus is not reached by the principal and leadership team at the end of this process, the issue must be sent to the District Visual Review Committee within 10 days of the school-level consideration. During this, the committee will vote, and the director of accountability and support will provide a report of the decision.
“I appreciate our teachers, staff, and Board for working together to build this policy,” Superintendent Dr. Derek Bub told the Idaho Statesman by email. “Our focus remains on keeping classrooms welcoming and focused on student learning, while maintaining adherence with state law.”
The West Ada School District is Idaho’s largest. Its neighbor to the east, the Boise School District, Idaho’s second largest, is taking a different approach to the new law.
“The ‘Everyone is Welcome Here’ sign affirms a foundational principle of public education — that every student, regardless of their background, is legally entitled to dignity, respect and a sense of belonging in their school community,” the Boise district said in a July 10 news release.
Inama resigned from her teaching job in West Ada and was hired by the Boise district to teach at East Junior High. She said it is very “comforting and reassuring” to have the district’s support.
This story was originally published July 15, 2025 at 11:55 AM.
CORRECTION: West Ada School Board member Rene Ozuna voted against the policy change. An earlier version of this story included an incorrect vote.