Michael Mounsey

Being a product of New Hampshire public schools, I understand what a classroom is supposed to be: a place for learning, not activism—and not political signaling dressed up as “support.” When teachers display flags in classrooms tied to sexuality or ideology, they drag students into an adult culture war they didn’t ask for. That doesn’t build trust; it fractures it. Public schools serve every family, which is exactly why classrooms should stay visibly nonpartisan and neutral. That’s why I support HB1345/1132 which limits regularly displayed flags on public school property to the U.S. flag, the New Hampshire flag, and the POW/MIA flag, and prohibits other national, commercial, religious, political, or activism flags (with narrow exceptions like miniature historical flags for educational use). ? This isn’t some fringe concern. Nationally, parents are split—and often uncomfortable—about schools wading into sexual orientation and gender identity topics. A Pew Research Center survey found 54% of U.S. adults say parents should be able to opt their children out of learning about sexual orientation and gender identity in school, and 37% of parents said their children shouldn’t learn about gender identity in school at all. ? That level of disagreement is exactly why educators should not be making the classroom look like it’s taking a side. And New Hampshire schools have enough real problems to solve without inviting more division. The state reported 160,323 students enrolled in New Hampshire public and public charter schools (down from 162,660 the year before, and down from 205,000+ about 20 years ago). ? When enrollment is shrinking and trust is fragile, the last thing we need is classroom symbolism that tells students, “This space has a political identity.” Keep the classroom focused on academics. Keep the environment welcoming to everyone by keeping it neutral. Pass this bill.