The Bigfork School Board last week approved a flag and banner policy and removed terms from the human sexuality instruction policy to be compliant with changes made to public school instruction by the state Legislature.

Bigfork Schools Superintendent Tom Stack explained the proposed changes to 11 existing policies and three new policies — including display of flags and banners on district property, release time for religious instruction, work-based learning and notice of nonrenewal of nontenured teachers for financial reasons.  

Policy 2335, human sexuality instruction and identity instruction, will no longer include mention of sexual orientation or gender identity in the definition of human sexuality instruction. The changes were made to be compliant with House Bill 471, which was signed into law this past May by Gov. Greg Gianforte. The law revises definitions and doesn’t allow students to attend lessons on gender identity without written parental permission.  

After Trustee Mac Kirk asked if gender identity was being discussed in the district, Stack said it is present in some student conversations, but it’s not being taught by teachers.  

“Is it being taught? No, if it were, I’d have a lot of parents in my office about it,” he said.  

Kirk also had concerns over the new flag policy, which was created to be compliant with House Bill 819. Also signed into law in May, the policy restricts flags and banners that “represent a political viewpoint” from being displayed on grounds owned or leased by state, county and local governments, including public schools, universities, courthouses and administrative buildings.  

Among the list of banned flags are any motifs that pertain to a specific race, sexual orientation or gender, including Black Lives Matter flags and flags representing members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

The law does allow the display of flags for a city, county or special district, tribal nations, official military and law enforcement flags, some historical flags, and flags or banners for a school district or mascot.   

Kirk was concerned there was still potential for a flag to be displayed in a political manner, bringing up the example of a Ukraine or Israel flag. Though he asked about striking it from the policy language, Stack said they believe the new policy has to follow what House Bill 819 outlines but added he would seek clarification on it.  

Other updates included changes to Policy 2150, suicide awareness and prevention. The district is now required to provide one hour of suicide prevention education every three years, compared to the old policy of two hours of education every five years, according to Stack. Though Bigfork Middle School Principal Charlie Appleby said it’s included every year for their students.  

A new religious instruction policy states that early release for religious instruction will not adversely affect the student's enrollment status or attendance record. With written permission from parents, a student can leave school for the purpose of receiving religious instruction for one hour per week.  

The work-based learning policy now includes a provision for credit for employment at congregate care and childcare facilities. 

Other policies ranged from a wide array of topics, pertaining to the school calendar, disciplinary action for both students and personnel, administering medication to students and family involvement.  

Trustee Ben Woods made a motion to approve the board policies, which was seconded by Kirk and approved unanimously.  

The next meeting for the Bigfork School Board of Trustees is scheduled for Oct. 8, starting at 5 p.m. in the Bigfork High School library.