Idaho School District Orders Removal of 'Everyone is Welcome Here' Posters

An Idaho school district has sparked controversy by ordering a teacher to take down two “Everyone is welcome” posters from her classroom, citing concerns that they could “inadvertently” create division among students. This directive has led to a significant backlash, particularly from the teacher involved, Sarah Inama, who is determined to stand her ground.

Inama, a 35-year-old educator at Lewis and Clark Middle School, received the removal order from the West Ada School District on February 3. Since then, the situation has escalated, culminating in a month-long debate within the district. In a rather unusual twist, school officials even resorted to a sports analogy to justify their stance on the matter.

“I took them down, but I was very sad about it,” Inama shared with the Idaho Statesman. “In the following days, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. So, I came back in on a Saturday with my husband and my baby, and I put it back up.” Her determination to reinstate the posters highlights her commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for her students.

The posters in question feature messages of inclusivity, with one stating, “Everyone is welcome here,” surrounded by hands of various skin tones. The other poster emphasizes that “In this room, everyone is welcomed, important, accepted, respected, encouraged, valued,” with each word presented against a different background color. These messages are designed to promote acceptance and diversity within the classroom.

Inama explained that she was told the phrase “everyone is welcome here” does not reflect a universally accepted belief, which led the district to classify it as a personal opinion. This assertion has raised questions about the interpretation of inclusivity in educational settings.

Emails obtained by the Statesman revealed that Marcus Myers, the district’s chief academic officer, instructed Inama to remove the signs, citing violations of the state’s Dignity and Nondiscrimination in Public Education Act. The district argued that the posters did not adhere to school policy, which requires that signs be “content neutral and conducive to a positive learning environment.”

In a statement to the media, the district expressed concerns that the posters could “inadvertently create division or controversy.” They clarified that the issue was not with the message of inclusivity itself, but rather with the representation of different skin tones in the artwork.

In response to the growing backlash, West Ada school leaders issued a district-wide memo reiterating their policy. The memo likened the educational process to a well-coached sports team, emphasizing the importance of adhering to a structured game plan. “Every player knows that while they bring their own strengths and personality to the game, they must operate within the rules to maintain fairness and consistency,” the memo stated.

Inama has been warned that the signs must be removed by the end of the school year in May. “Obviously, it would not be easy or ideal to lose my job,” she admitted to the Statesman. “I would miss my students immensely, and it would be a real financial hardship for me. But I just fundamentally feel so unsettled and disturbed by what they’re asking me to do. I just can’t be complacent in it.”

This ongoing situation has ignited discussions about the role of inclusivity in education and the balance between school policies and personal beliefs. As the debate continues, Inama remains resolute in her commitment to her students and the values she believes in.