An inclusive classroom poster phrase has sparked a movement as hundreds rally in Boise in support
Apr 06, 2025
Everyone is welcome here, chants came from the crowd Sunday afternoon, as hundreds of local educators, parents, and students rallied at the Idaho Capitol Building steps.They held posters and shared personal stories with attendee
s to spread the message that Everyone is Welcome Here. Its 100% for [the] students. None of us would be here if we werent in a position where we see how much our students are struggling, said Lara Luthy, an educator and president of Boise's Education Association.If West Ada School District had an ounce of decency, they would never ask these types of values [to] be silenced, said Caleigh, a concerned parent from Nampa.As Idaho News 6 reported last month, the West Ada School District asked a 6th grade middle school teacher to remove these signs from her classroom, stating they violated policy because political opinions dont comply with pre-existing poster guidelines.The teacher, Sarah Inama, ultimately put the signs back up, saying the inclusive phrase isnt political. Other educators agree that teachers play a large role in making a student feel safe enough in a classroom in order to learn.It's our job to help them through that, and we need to be given the latitude to do that, said Luthy.In a locally produced podcast, the districts Chief Academic Officer, Marcus Meyers, explains why the imagery doesnt comply with policy.PREVIOUS REPORT | West Ada School official defends district's stance on "Everyone is Welcome" posterThe interpretation of the visual images, thats the issue that exists here, said Meyers. Many across the state, country, and even internationally disagree, I think thats a really cowardly thing to do, to ask her to change out the poster by the end of the year. Not only is the poster not wrong, its correct. Its the correct and decent thing to believe that everyone is welcome, said Caleigh.The Boise Education Association says theyll continue to rally support for pro-public education candidates for future elections, To make sure that we have legislators in office who are going to support policies that will include all children, said Luthy. ...read more read less
