To Our Buena Vista Schools Community, October 1, 2026
Our schools are places where students learn, grow, build relationships, and develop the confidence to express who they
are and what they believe. Protecting that environment means protecting students’ rights while also ensuring that our
schools remain safe, orderly places for every student.
During student arrival on Wednesday, September 23, students gathered at the flagpole to pray, continuing a practice
that has taken place in our schools and others across the country, for many years on a day known as “See You at the
Pole.” While this event was not sponsored, organized, or endorsed by the Buena Vista School District, the District
respects and will protect our students’ right to gather and to pray. Likewise, we respect and will protect our students'
right to be free from school-sponsored religious exercises in our schools. This year, the “See You at the Pole” was
significantly different from those of past years. The number of participants was larger, amplification was used, and the
gathering included visitors, staff members, and students who are not enrolled in Buena Vista Schools. Because of these
differences, the event was not in line with District policies intended to protect students' right to gather and pray and
their right to be free from religious exercises reasonably perceived to be school-sponsored.
Our District has established policies for the community’s use of school facilities and for visitors on our campuses. With
limited exceptions for school-announced events such as performances and athletic competitions, visitors are required
to check in through a school office. These policies exist so that we know who is on our campuses, and to protect the
safety of students and staff.
BV Schools respects and supports the students who chose to exercise their right of expression. At the same time,
visitors and non-enrolled students should not have participated in this student gathering on school property without
following the proper policies. Consistent with our obligation to separate from the endorsement of a religious gathering,
our staff and leaders must consider their presence at student gatherings on campus and any endorsement of a
religious viewpoint in their official capacities as District representatives. This is not a message against the right to pray.
It is not a message against students gathering together around something meaningful to them. It is a reminder that
students’ rights and student safety must be protected together.
To the students who participated, you did nothing wrong and we honor your right of expression. On behalf of Buena
Vista School District, I acknowledge that the participation of visitors and non-enrolled students in this gathering,
outside the parameters of our District policies, along with the presence of District staff, resulted in students and families
being placed in a situation they should not have been expected to manage on their own. We recognize our
responsibility to ensure that our policies are understood and followed and that 1st Amendment rights are protected.
To better protect both student rights and student safety, we will take action to educate our community and employees
regarding future similar events. In addition, the District will develop a clear process for students to notify school and
District leaders when they are planning a gathering on campus. This will allow us to work with students in advance to
ensure that a gathering has an appropriate location and time, does not disrupt classroom learning, and can occur safely.
Our goal is not to make student gatherings more difficult, but to make the expectations clear so that students can
continue to exercise their rights while the District fulfills its responsibility to all students. We recognize that when
students take initiative to gather around something they value, they are exercising an important part of becoming
responsible, engaged members of our community. We want our students to know that they can bring their ideas,
traditions, beliefs, and questions forward. And we will ensure this occurs according to policy and our legal
responsibilities as a public school.
We welcome and encourage our community’s involvement in Buena Vista Schools. In fact, we need our community and
parents as partners, volunteers, supporters, mentors, audience members, advocates, and people who care deeply about
the future of our students. There are many meaningful ways for community members to be part of school life, and we
hope you will continue to be connected with us. At the same time, being part of our school community means
respecting the structures that allow the district to keep students safe and learning in compliance with our obligations
under state and federal law.
Thank you for caring about our students and for partnering with us as we work together to create schools where every
student can learn, belong, and grow.
Lisa Yates
Superintendent
Buena Vista School District