📰BIDDEFORD | Ray Responds to Pride Flag Concerns in Schools

"I’m not going to have it removed. That’s my call, not the teacher’s." - Jeremy Ray, Superintendent, Biddeford and Saco Schools

September 2, 2026, Earlier today a letter was shared to social media by a parent of a student attending school in Biddeford. The letter was sent to Superintendent Jeremy Ray and was outlining the parents concerns about a pride flag that was currently displayed in a elementary classroom in a Biddeford school.

Ray's response to the parent is included below:

"Thank you for writing, and for taking the time to outline your thinking.

We agree on more than we disagree. Inclusion does show up in how a teacher treats kids day to day, not in what’s on the wall. If this particular teacher were kind to some students and cold to others, no flag would fix that.

Where I see it differently is the phrase identity-based symbol.

I understand why it’s being used, but I don’t think it fits what’s actually hanging in that room. That flag isn’t asking a third grader to adopt a belief or to be anything. It’s telling the handful of kids in that building who are being raised by two moms or two dads that their family isn’t going to be treated as odd in art class.

That’s not an ideology. That’s a kid knowing they can talk about their life like everyone else.

I’d also say our classrooms have never been blank. We put up family photos, flags of the countries our students come from, work about the holidays and plenty about Biddeford’s Franco heritage.

Every one of those is tied to somebody’s identity, and I’ve never had a parent tell me they broke neutrality. I understand this one feels different to you. I’m telling you honestly that when I look at the wall, I don’t see a different category.

The other thing I’d offer is that there’s no neutral option here. Putting it up says something and taking it down says something too, and the kids it’s meant for would hear the second one loud and clear.

I’m not willing to send that message, so I’m not going to have it removed. That’s my call, not the teacher’s.

Regarding your request for guidelines, that one isn’t mine to decide. We don’t currently have a policy that lists approved classroom displays, and policy is set by the Biddeford School Committee, not by me. If you want that considered, the right place to say so is directly to them.

Our next meeting is September 9 at 5 p.m. and there’s a public comment period near the end. You’re welcome to come and speak, and I’d encourage it.

In the meantime, the one line I hold is elections. Campaign signs, candidate names and ballot questions come down, because staff shouldn’t be influencing how a family votes.

I know this isn’t the answer you asked for. You and your family are welcome in our schools, and disagreeing with me on this doesn’t change that one bit. If you’d like to sit down and talk it through before the 9th, I’m glad to. Just tell me when.

Thank you,

Jeremy Ray"

BELOW IS THE LETTER THAT WAS SENT TO SUPERINTENDENT JEREMY RAY FROM THE CONCERNED PARENT:

Good Morning,

I’m reaching out regarding something I recently learned about the classroom environment in Ms. Gurwig’s art class. I understand that an LGBTQ pride flag is displayed in the classroom, and I want to express my concerns as a parent.

First, I want to make clear that I have tremendous respect for the teachers and staff at the school. We have had very positive experiences over the years, and I have always felt that my daughter’s classrooms have been safe, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed for young children. I genuinely appreciate the work that goes into creating that environment.

That is why I was particularly concerned to learn that a pride flag is being displayed in an elementary classroom. My concern is not about judging or disrespecting any individual or group. It is about what I believe is appropriate for an elementary school environment and, more importantly, where the responsibility lies for introducing certain subjects to young children.

My daughter is eight years old. Topics involving sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity, and related social issues are matters that I believe should be introduced and discussed by parents at home—not by teachers or through displays in an elementary school classroom. These are personal and sensitive conversations, and parents should have the ability to determine when their child is ready for them and how they should be explained based on their family’s values.

I do not believe it is the school’s place to initiate these conversations with children who are this young. Even if a teacher does not intend to start a discussion, placing a pride flag in a classroom inevitably creates the possibility that a child will ask what it means. At that point, the teacher is put in the position of introducing or explaining a subject that I believe belongs at home and should be addressed by a child’s parents.

I also believe there is an important distinction between making every student feel welcome and supported and actively displaying symbols associated with particular social, cultural, or ideological viewpoints. My daughter should absolutely be taught to be kind, respectful, and accepting of others. I fully support that. But those values do not require the school to introduce or promote particular perspectives on sexuality or gender.

For that reason, I respectfully but firmly ask that the pride flag be removed from Ms. Gurwig’s classroom. If there are other pride flags or similar displays elsewhere in the school, I ask that those be removed as well. I believe this should be a consistent standard throughout the school and should apply regardless of the classroom, teacher, or particular symbol involved.

I would also like clarification regarding the school’s policy on classroom displays. Specifically, what guidelines determine which flags, symbols, or other displays teachers are permitted to have in their classrooms? If there is a written policy addressing personal, political, social, ideological, or identity-related displays, I would appreciate being provided with a copy or directed to where I can review it.

I am not asking the school to treat anyone differently, nor am I suggesting that students should not be taught to treat others with dignity and respect. I am asking that the school recognize the appropriate boundary between providing a welcoming educational environment and introducing sensitive subjects that should be left to parents to discuss with their children.

I appreciate you taking the time to consider my concerns. I look forward to your response and to understanding how the school intends to address this matter.

Respectfully,

Kelly Burt

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