CINCINNATI (WXIX) – The Little Miami Board of Education voted 4-1 Wednesday to remove a classroom poster from Little Miami High School, citing compliance requirements under Ohio House Bill 8 and district policy.
The poster, which displayed the words “Hate Has No Home Here,” also featured rainbow and transgender flag imagery. Board members said the decision was not based on the poster’s wording but on the images it contained.
The Little Miami Board of Education voted 4-1 Wednesday to remove a classroom poster from Little Miami High School, citing compliance requirements under Ohio House Bill 8 and district policy.(Little Miami School Board Meeting)Board cites parental notification law
According to board members, the teacher who displayed the poster said it served two purposes: supporting social studies curriculum that may involve sexual orientation or gender identity in a historical context, and signaling to students that the classroom environment is free from hate.
Board President David Wallace said neither purpose is prohibited under current law, but that the imagery raised compliance concerns.
“Neither purpose is prohibited; however, depending on context and interpretation, displays incorporating images that could reasonably be viewed as presenting or describing sexual concepts or gender ideology implicate parental notification and opt-out requirements under House Bill 8 and district policy,” Wallace said.
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Wallace further explained the board’s legal reasoning in a statement.
“The Little Miami Board of Education voted to remove a classroom poster containing the rainbow and transgender flags pending compliance with Ohio’s Parents’ Bill of Rights and Board Policy 5780.01. Under Ohio law, incidental references to sexual concepts or gender ideology do not trigger parental notification requirements. However, based on the record before it, the Board determined this poster was reasonably understood to engage students on those topics, which requires parental notice and the opportunity to review and opt out. Until those procedures are followed, the Board directed that the poster be removed,” Wallace said.
District issues statement
The school district also released a statement citing Ohio law as the basis for the removal.
“The Board cited concerns regarding compliance with Ohio House Bill 8 in making its decision. We understand this issue has generated strong opinions in our community. Little Miami Schools remains committed to providing a safe, respectful and supportive learning environment for all students,” the district said.
Parents divided during public comment
The decision drew reaction from parents during the public comment portion of the meeting, with some visibly frustrated.
“That sign is not one of the problems; it is saying that hate has no place here, and it doesn’t — it has no place in the schools,” one parent said. “My children shouldn’t be bullied, your children shouldn’t be bullied.”
A parent who spoke with FOX19 after the meeting said she supports the board’s decision.
“I also believe in having neutrality in the school,” the parent said. “I think it’s important that everyone is represented — but when you start representing people independently, that’s where we start to have the conflict that we’re having now.”
Both the board and the district emphasized the removal was not based on the phrase “Hate Has No Home Here.” The district said it remains committed to ensuring every student feels safe, respected, and free from bullying or harassment.
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