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Johnston School District has allowed flags representing 43 different countries to be hung in the cafeteria at the high school — with one noticeable exception.

If you look close, you will notice the absence of the American flag.

“In an effort to harbor an inclusive and representative space for all students, CORE has been working for the past two months to get country flags hung in the cafeteria at JHS,” the group wrote. “Thank you to JPEAR (Johnston Parents for Equity and Antiracism) for helping us purchase 43 different country flags to represent our students within the high school. We look forward to adding more flags as our community grows.”

The Iowa Standard was told school administration has been asked about the absence of the American flag, but there hasn’t been an addition as of yet. We contacted the district and will publish an update when we hear back.

Lynn Meadows, director of communications for Johnston School District, said the project was planned and funded by CORE (Community of Racial Equity).

“They did not have the funds to purchase every flag necessary,” Meadows said. “The U.S. flag and others are being ordered.”

Meadows said there are more than 100 U.S. flags at Johnston High School, with one prominently displayed at the top of a flag pole in the front of the school.

“There is also one U.S. flag in every classroom that we say the Pledge of Allegiance to every day,” she added.

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