Schools

ARIS Mat's Flag Raises Concerns

Resident asks board to remove door mat with a drawing of the American flag as part of the school's logo.

The Hillsborough Board of Education may look to hang the custom rubber floor mat that's greeted students since shortly after the school's opening, after resident John Pratt questioned the lesson children learn by walking on the depiction of a flag on the mat at Monday's board meeting.

"How shall our children learn respect for this flag when the pillars of our society throw it at their feet to be trampled with dirt on their shoes?" Pratt asked after recounting the many instances where the American flag prevailed in battles and societal changes.


The flag in question is part of the Auten Road Intermediate School logo, which features three Colonial era figures, one holding a flag with "ARIS" in the left hand and the American flag in the other.

The logo was created by a student about 14 years ago, according to board member Greg Gillette and was reproduced on a large rubber mat at the entrance to the school.

Gillette suggested having the mat placed on a wall somewhere in the school, and seek another student-created design more appropriate for the door mat.


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