BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Bismarck Public Schools has updated an existing tolerance policy after a student asked for the Confederate flag to be banned.
Marianna Miller, a 16-year-old Black student, earlier told school board members that the flag should be banned because it causes distractions to the learning environment and makes some people feel uncomfortable.
Miller cited a recent incident in which a white student wearing a piece of clothing with the Confederate flag was confronted by another white student.
Critics have long said the Confederate battle flag is a racist symbol that is flown by the Ku Klux Klan and other hate groups.
The amended policy allows teachers and staff to be more proactive in prohibiting items that can be disruptive, including clothing, symbols and messages that promote intolerance or hate. The Confederate flag is not mentioned by name.
Members of the school board commended Miller for speaking out about the incident and said they did not want students to feel unsafe, the Bismarck Tribune reported.
Miller said she was grateful the district took action.
“I was really happy. Not only for me but for other people in the future that this would help,” she said.
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