08/26/2026
This 👇
Parents send their children to school to learn — reading, math, history— core academic foundations. Yet at the beginning of the year, I hear from parents concerned about pride flags and other ideological displays in elementary classrooms. This continues to be a distraction from the learning that should be happening.
SF 496 was written for public schools to keep elementary classrooms focused on learning. Instead of simply complying, some districts continue trying to skirt the law by arguing definitions and technicalities. A West Des Moines School had a flag; a parent complained and elevated the conversation to the school board- and now we wait on a decision.
But Iowa Code § 279.80 is unambiguous: a school district “shall not provide any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation to students in kindergarten through grade six.” A rainbow flag in a 6th grade classroom is exactly the kind of promotion the statute was designed to prohibit.
The spirit and plain language of the law were intended to keep such messaging out of the early grades. Districts should not be allowed to redefine or delay compliance while continuing the very practices the law forbids.
Parents and taxpayers expect the law to be followed, not negotiated around. If clarity is needed. I have no problem strengthening the language next session and expanding it so there is no confusion for any grade — because parents want classrooms focused on teaching, and this continues to be a distraction from that core mission.
Read article👇
https://whoradio.iheart.com/featured/who-radio-news/content/2026-08-25-jordan-creek-elementary-at-center-of-pride-flag-debate/?fbclid=IwY2xjawT7-yBwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4tr1iu53ehnalkvfn3h-_h38FlN3pOo1I5hiQiux1gXVYFZTkjmBoDaxrJfg_aem_0Thb7hNPbLFSInuFMPJb9A
