West Ada school leaders are considering districtwide policy changes in the wake of a controversy over teacher Sarah Inama’s inclusive classroom signs. 

At a regular board meeting Tuesday, trustees discussed proposed changes that would essentially direct staff not to wear or display anything that could create a distraction for students. It was a first reading, so trustees took no action on the proposals and will discuss them again at a future meeting.

The proposed policy, which the Idaho Statesman first reported on, is dubbed “personnel conduct” and would have 10 subsections. At Tuesday’s meeting, Trustee René Ozuna shared concerns over how two subsections — on visual displays and professional appearance — could impact teachers.

Ozuna said some teachers are concerned that they cannot display basic colors — the colors of the rainbow — in their classroom. She asked the board if they would consider adding language to the policy to make it clear that they can use all colors “if they’re not tied to certain things … so that we don’t have our staff on edge every time they’re using” basic colors. 

One of the inclusive signs Inama was told to remove contained a spectrum of colors, which some people associate with LGBTQ allyship. 

“We could use the Lewis and Clark Middle School poster that had the primary colors with the words on it as an example and talk through that,” said Ozuna, who later pushed the board to “have a conversation around messages of inclusivity as well.”

But the other four trustees declined to speak in specifics, instead using vague language and generally supporting the proposals as written. 

“I observe classrooms often and I’ve seen lots of use of all kinds of colors that I think are great,” board chair Lori Frasure said. “I think it looks beautiful, I think it’s wonderful. It’s important that our classrooms are colorful and inviting to kids.”

“I don’t think (the proposed policies) need to be changed,” trustee Angie Redford said. “It’s pretty clear and if there are any issues, there are clear steps to resolve anything that might be questionable.”

Ozuna also asked about the proposed policy’s professional appearance subsection. She wanted to ensure the district wouldn’t use the “distraction-free” language to ban “for example, the ‘Everyone is Welcome Here’ T-shirts.” Ozuna said she wanted to ensure the district wasn’t violating staff’s “First Amendment rights.”

Teachers and community members throughout Idaho and across the country have purchased and worn shirts bearing the slogan — which appeared on the second sign Inama was told to remove — as a sign of support for the teacher.

Amy White, the district’s legal counsel, said she would look into it and ensure the policy aligned with free speech protections. 

Trustee Dave Binetti said he thought the proposed policies were in line with legal standards as written. 

“I just want the classrooms focused on education. That’s it,” he said. “Things that get in the way of that, I’m going to be very suspect of.”

The proposed policies are part of a broader policy review that was initiated before the poster controversy began.