Portland teachers union pushes back against policy that bans 'political or personal' classroom displays

Portland Public Schools established a new policy in August that bans teachers from displaying political or personal messaging in the classroom. Irate about the policy, the teachers union filed a grievance with the school district, calling the guidance "unworkable" and an impediment on academic freedom.

Since the new guidance was an administrative directive, it did not require approval from the school board or a public vote. According to the policy, the items displayed on classroom walls and bulletin boards must be associated with approved curriculum or district-sponsored events.

"At all times, students and staff in our buildings should feel safe and be provided an educational environment in which they can learn, teach, and thrive, especially when discussing or experiencing complex and difficult topics. Classrooms and other physical spaces are for teaching and learning the PPS curriculum and displaying items that are consistent with that work," the directive states.

"Content on classroom walls, bulletin boards or otherwise displayed in the classroom must be related to the curriculum or district-sponsored [events]," it continues. "Those spaces cannot be used for an employee's personal expression whether that is related to a political or personal issue."

Additionally, PPS said, "All materials posted in common areas such as hallways, cafeterias, and doors, must be approved by an administrator and can only be placed in authorized areas."

The new guidance comes following district-wide unrest last spring related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. At the time, a group connected to the Portland Association of Teachers released a contentious lesson plan manual for organizing and teaching in favor of Palestinian statehood, the Oregonian reported. Students were advised to pray to Allah for the Palestinians and pen letters to President Biden demanding the US cease Israel funding.

The updated policy has already been put to the test since the start of the school year. Jeremy Reinholt, a social studies teacher at Grant High, had "Stop Genocide" posters removed by administrators that he had posted on his doorway, according to the paper. 

Angela Bonilla, the president of the Portland Association of Teachers, told the Oregonian in a statement that the policy "violated our collective bargaining agreement. In addition, it is unworkable, overly broad and vague."

In August, the union issued a grievance to the district regarding the new policy, arguing that it is in conflict with the contractual language regarding academic freedom, which reportedly permits teachers to introduce controversial topics that are pertinent to their courses, as well as PAT's right to post union-related materials in schools.