Alameda County sheriff’s deputies were called in to keep the peace at a school board meeting in Sunol Tuesday, but there was nothing peaceful about it.
At issue was a national debate playing out in the small town between Pleasanton and Fremont.
Community members were there voicing their opinions on a resolution that would limit the type of flags that can be flown at Sunol Glen Elementary School.
In a 2-1 vote, only United States and California flags are allowed, and that didn’t sit well with a lot of people there.
There were interruptions, yelling, and several calls for order.
Just minutes after public comment began for the resolution, deputies were asked to step in and everyone in the audience, except for the media, was kicked out to allow the board to continue the debate without interruptions.
After everyone was asked to leave, the heated debate continued outside.
Deputies were asked to go outside as community members started to yell some more at one another.
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The sheriffs office had to break up groups and stayed on campus until everyone left.
“I was taught a different America. I was taught an America that people saw as something that was a forerunner, a light in the darkness of the world and now we're just turning on each other,” said Marissa Whitfield, who was against the resolution.
On the other side of the debate was Lisa Disbrow, who was for the resolution.
“This is something that needs to happen in all 900 plus districts in California, we need to clarify that school is funded by taxpayers, Californians under the state flag and that our United States, American, red, white and blue flag is the most inclusive flag that's ever existed,” she said.
It all started back in June, when Sunol Glen School put up a flag to celebrate Pride Month, which was reportedly torn down two days later. The school responded by raising another one, this time on the campus flagpole.
The decision caused a stir in the town of about 900 people just off Interstate 680 and state Route 84.
Ultimately, the board president proposed this solution: a resolution limiting the display of flags on school grounds to the U.S. flag as well as California’s state flag. The school board voted for it in a two to one.
The board president turned down a request for an interview Tuesday from NBC Bay Area. But one of the board’s members, and an opponent of the resolution, did want to speak up.
“The problem with a divisive resolution like this, is that it basically achieves just the opposite of what everyone wants,” said Peter "Ted" Romo, a board trustee, “which is divisiveness.”
Sunol Glen School is the district’s only school, with 270 students in its kindergarten through eighth grade classes.
“The pride flag has been flown for multiple years without incident,” said Romo. “The goal of the school is to, of course, create an inclusive environment to demonstrate its inclusivity. The pride flag is a representation of that for a number of our students who are here.”
“It’s been all the buzz,” said Matthew Sylvester, the parent of a student at the school. “Unfortunately, this is happening, but parents are rallying.”
Sylvester stood against the resolution.
“It does seem to be a sort-of national trend at a school board level, introducing anti-LGBTQ bills and resolutions which harm students and inclusiveness,” said Sylvester.
Others in Sunol who supported the resolution said it’s about keeping partisan politics out of education.
“I support the LGBT community,” said Sunol resident Ajei Olivencia. “But when it comes down to pride flags, that can turn into so much more. And politics should stay away from schools.”
After the meeting, the superintendent said she was disappointed considering all of the school staff were in support of putting up the Pride flag.
She also said the resolution will go into effect immediately.
