School district changes flag practice in response to complaint

Spokane Public Schools will now leave flags at half-staff over the weekend prior to Memorial Day.

The change in practice comes after Stephen Latoszek raised concerns at Wednesday’s board meeting. Latoszek, a retired technical sergeant in the Air Force, was shocked when he saw that Lewis and Clark High School’s flag was at full-staff on Memorial Day.

The flag was left at full-staff because the school was closed for the holiday and no staff were working to lower it.

Superintendent Shelley Redinger personally called Latoszek on Wednesday to let him know of the new practice. In Latoszek’s presentation to the board he’d suggested leaving the flag at half-staff over the weekend prior to Memorial Day.

The practice will apply to the 14 flagpoles in the district that remain lit during the night, district spokesman Kevin Morrison said. Flag etiquette calls for flags to be taken down at night unless they are illuminated.

The practice will also apply to any other days when the flag should be at half-staff but schools are closed.