Belizzi said the district received 12 POW flags as a donation and staff will replace worn-out flags so every school has what it needs. She also pointed out disagreements between schools over who raises and lowers flags; Many elementary schools assign this task to students as part of their daily duties.
Mr. Deptula described a low-cost solar option for lighting: “Solar lighting doesn't have any wiring. You just clip the thing to the pole,” and said devices typically require battery replacements about every three years. District staff estimate that properly lighting all schools could cost about $4,000 to $5,000 total, factoring in additional annual maintenance or battery replacement costs.
Board members asked whether flag policy (including half-staff orders) was the responsibility of the city or county. Staff said official para-staff orders typically come from the governor's office and are routed through the city; Linda Lavelle and Bev Summers will distribute notifications through district channels as needed. Members called for consistency across schools and suggested that the district consult with the city about a citywide policy on flag protocol.
No formal policy change or funding vote was made; Staff will continue to replace damaged flags and come back with estimates if the board requests district-funded lighting.