In March 2025, West Ada middle school teacher Sarah Inama was told by her boss to remove a classroom sign that read, “Everyone is Welcome Here.”
She refused, and took to the airwaves to tell her side of the story. District leaders were far less transparent and not united in their reasoning.
The standoff went viral, with Inama garnering most of the general public's support.
State leaders sided with West Ada administrators.
On March 20, Gov. Brad Little signed into law House Bill 41, which prohibits in classrooms flags and banners that display a political viewpoint.
In June, Idaho's attorney general shared the opinion that Inama's sign violates the law and should not be displayed.
In July, West Ada trustees approved policy in agreement with the AG's opinion.
Meanwhile, leaders in Boise where Inama now works, say they will allow her to display her sign.
So confusion remains ahead of the upcoming school year — as teachers decide how to decorate their classrooms, and the state prepares to handle complaints.
Idaho Education News has closely followed the developments and will continue to write about how the new state law — and opposition to the law — impacts teachers, kids and school culture.
Here is our coverage.
