Flag ban a ‘necessary steps towards a brighter future,’: school division

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The Mountain View School Division (MVSD) is attempting to explain to teachers and staff why they banned all but federal, provincial and school flags on school property.

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On Tuesday, a letter, obtained by the Winnipeg Sun, was sent by the MVSD board of trustees to all staff in the Dauphin-based school division.

The letter claims a recent decision by the board to ban all except federal, provincial or school flags that has been raising concerns among some in the community should not been seen as divisive, but instead was “rooted in a commitment to creating a safe, caring and respectful environment.”

“By choosing to only fly the Federal, Provincial and school flags, we aim to send a clear message that everyone is welcome, included and supported under these banners,” the letter reads.

The letter then goes on to quote parts of a speech given more than five decades ago by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson as further justification for the ban.

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“In the words of Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, ‘May the land over which this new flag flies remain united in freedom and justice; a land of decent God-fearing people; fair and generous in all its dealings.’” the letter says. “These words remind us of our shared values.”

Trustees also claim the ban works to “eliminate negative responses towards diverse cultures and communities, especially during sensitive times.”

“While the decisions we make may be difficult, they are necessary steps towards a brighter future,” the letter to staff says.

“Thank you for your commitment to our shared vision.”

The move, however does not match what some say is their vision for MVSD schools, as retired MVSD teacher Cam Bennet, who taught in the division for 33 years, spoke out against the decision last week, saying he was concerned about the message it sends to diverse and marginalized groups and members of the LGBTIQA+ community.

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“It seems that flags of other nations or organizations offend this group of trustees,” Bennet said.

Controversy is nothing new to the MVSD board in recent months, and the board remains under a provincial governance review that began after trustee Paul Coffey made a presentation to the board in April that Indigenous leaders have called “profoundly racist.”

Recent controversies in the division also include three trustees, Leifa Misko, Floyd Martens and Scott McCallum, all stepping down last June from their positions, one day after the board voted to terminate Superintendent Stephen Jaddock.

The board has announced they will hold a by-election on Oct. 30 to fill those three seats, as well as a fourth seat left vacant in March when trustee Charlene Gulak stepped away to pursue a professional opportunity.

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Last week the Manitoba Teacher’s Society (MTS) and the Manitoba School Boards Association (MSBA) released a joint statement asking eligible voters to educate themselves on what MVSD trustee candidates stand for, and what they would bring to a division already embroiled in turmoil.

“The students of Mountain View need you,” the two organizations said. “Within the community of Mountain View, citizens are uniquely positioned to stand up for students to reshape the future for the benefit of all. We need voters to ask questions, to speak out and to vote.

“The stakes could not be higher.”

— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

Have thoughts on what’s going on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada or across the world? Send us a letter to the editor at wpgsun.letters@kleinmedia.ca

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