While West Ada leaders remain largely silent on poster controversy, Boise publicly backs teacher

Updated March 26 at 9:20 a.m. with comments from Dan Hollar, Boise’s spokesperson.

West Ada school district leaders are remaining largely silent and declining interviews amid continued public backlash — including from Boise administrators — after a middle school teacher was asked to remove classroom signs promoting inclusivity.

Derek Bub, the district’s superintendent, Marcus Myers, the district’s chief academic officer, and Lori Frasure, the district’s board chair, declined interview requests Tuesday.

EdNews also sought comment via email from Frasure and the board’s other four trustees Tuesday but did not immediately receive any email responses.

The silence is somewhat unusual, as school districts often respond to controversies with news releases, public hearings, interviews and/or special board meetings. The board is scheduled to hold its next regular meeting on April 14.

“The district acknowledges the community’s feedback and remains committed to listening to all perspectives,” Niki Scheppers, the district’s chief of staff for communications, wrote in an email. “Any future communication or public engagement on this matter will be considered in accordance with board policy and established procedures.”

Scheppers said the district is currently focusing on “maintaining a respectful, welcoming, and safe learning environment where all students can thrive.”

The classroom sign controversy has gained statewide and national attention since KTVB News broke the story regarding teacher Sarah Inama’s classroom posters on March 11.

One of the two signs Inama was asked to remove. Photo courtesy of KTVB News.

Trustee René Ozuna did post a statement on her public social media page on March 19 and said the incident has left her “unsettled.” She wrote that she is against discrimination and hate, and clarified that all students are welcome at West Ada.

“I support keeping personal political beliefs out of the classroom,” she wrote. “But I never anticipated – and I don’t agree – that a message of inclusion would be seen as political.”

But Ozuna also backed administrators, who she said made the request in an effort to “uphold policy and protect our teachers” since school staff members “have been under attack for similar imagery, not only in West Ada but across the country.”

“I also recognize that understanding why this happened doesn’t take away the pain and anger it caused, and for that, I am truly sorry. My heart hurts with you,” she continued. “For those struggling to make sense of this decision, I hope this provides some additional context.”

Ozuna said she requested a review on the decision and a discussion on the policy.

While Ozuna spoke alone on the issue, fifteen Boise school leaders banded together Monday to publicly support Inama.

The school leaders took the unprecedented step of posting a picture on social media of themselves wearing shirts featuring an image from one of the two signs Inama was asked to remove.

“In our schools, everyone is welcome!” the post read. It was widely shared, liked and commented on.

Dan Hollar, the district’s public affairs administrator, wrote in an email that the district’s intention was not to “criticize another district, but to remind our own community that we are committed to creating schools where every student feels like they belong and are supported in their learning.”

“This message is not a political statement — it’s a reflection of our core beliefs,” he continued. “We felt it was important to publicly reaffirm these values, especially in light of the conversations currently happening in our state and across our nation.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Boise School District’s social media post had accumulated thousands of reactions and hundreds of shares and comments.

The Idaho Education Association also offered support for Inama on social media: “(IEA) members stand in solidarity with people all over the world to say, ‘Everyone is Welcome Here.'”

Members of the public and students have demonstrated support for Inama by wearing apparel with the image from one of her signs, and via multiple protests, including a walkout and a “Chalk the Walk” event.

A handful of news outlets reported that West Ada employees washed off the chalk messages, written Sunday, before students arrived to school Monday.

“Chalk markings on sidewalks on our campuses were washed off intentionally to prevent the material from being tracked inside and potentially damaging carpets and other interior surfaces,” Scheppers wrote in an email to EdNews. “Chalk art in parking lots and parking stalls was not removed and remains in place, along with any paint markings.”

Another protest is being planned for Friday, according to Renaissance High student Finn Angelopoulos.