By Anna Pier
Superintendent of Sonoma Valley Unified School District Jason Sutter was a strong presence among the students at Sonoma High during the October 13 noontime walkout to demonstrate for the return of the Pride Flag to its flagpole at the entrance to their school. “I was there to support our students,” he stated simply. “I wanted to be sure the students could safely exercise their First Amendment rights.”
Sutter affirmed that many administrative staff from the District office and from the High School were also present. “Regardless of the issue,” he added, “we will be there with our students to support them.”
“I am really proud of the students,” the new superintendent stated clearly, explaining that they initiated and organized the peaceful demonstration. Their action was in protest of the School Board’s October 8 decision to remove the Pride Flag from its flagpole at the entrance to their campus, where it had been flying since 2019. The Trustees voted , in a 3–2 split decision, to fly only the U.S. and California flags on the flag poles.
Superintendent Sutter, who took over the leadership of the District in March, not only praised the high school students for organizing this peaceful demonstration, but also for their ongoing activity ever since the Pride Flag was removed in January. He is very appreciative of how the students have responded during this long period of decision regarding the Pride Flag flying over their campus. Students affirm that the Pride Flag symbolizes a welcome to all students, gay and straight, and is an affirmation that everyone is safe there, where hatred and prejudice will not be tolerated.
Sutter stated that the students had learned a lot about civic and political engagement. He explained there had been lots of talking about the issues, and discussion of the challenges that students face. He pointed out that many students had learned about how to peacefully assert their position, coming to Board meetings where they spoke confidently to the Trustees on the issue. “It’s their moment.”
Asked about the pride flag draped around the neck of the huge bronze dragon statue at the high school entrance, Sutter stated that it had been removed. He explained that displaying it there next to the flagpoles it would be “endorsed protest of Board governance. My job is to carry out the will of the Board, that there will be no other (official) flags.” The students have learned that “in a democracy things don’t always go your way,” adding , “I am happy with their response.”
On October 14 before school opened, Superintendent Sutter was present as students planted small pride flags all over the from lawn on Broadway. The pride flag continues to be seen throughout the campus.
Sutter responded to questions about the whole issue of the official display of the Pride Flag, He said ruefully, “no new superintendent would relish staring their term with this issue.”
At the request of the Board, in September Sutter had presented what he described as “four reasonable options” to the Board for their consideration. He affirmed “I know they were reasonable because other school districts in our area do them.” He elaborated that some districts fly the pride flag year round, and others fly only the US. and state flags. “It is my job to be sure I give them my best thinking.” He added, “I gave my recommendation – to fly the Progress Pride Flag year round– so they would know where I stood.”
At that meeting, Student Voice Austin Cheeseman – who was elected by the SV High students to represent them, including at school board meetings – presented a variation of Sutter’s recommendation, that would have made the decision solely a student decision. Sutter said that ultimately the Board’s vote had made the decision on the flag solely a Board decision.
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