America 250 Draft Resolution header obtained by Bellingham Metro News
LYNDEN, Wash. — A lengthy and at times emotional discussion unfolded during a recent Lynden School District board workshop as school board members debated a proposed resolution tied to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration in 2026.
The proposed resolution, identified as Resolution No. 10-26, calls for the Lynden School District to recognize and commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial, or 250th birthday, through educational activities, patriotic displays, and community reflection.
The conversation centered around several topics, including patriotism, immigration, public education, political neutrality, symbolism in schools, and the role of elected school boards in shaping community values.
The resolution itself references the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and states that students benefit from learning about America’s founding principles and historical documents. It also proposes encouraging educators and staff to create commemorative opportunities for students while supporting the installation of a display featuring the Pledge of Allegiance inside the Lynden High School gymnasium.
Much of the discussion was led by board member Nick Sawka, who said he viewed the proposal as an opportunity to recognize an important milestone in American history and reinforce civic pride within the community.
Sawka argued that symbols and public displays can carry meaning beyond academics, saying he believed the country’s 250th anniversary was significant enough to deserve public recognition from the district. During the discussion, he described the United States as “home” and said the resolution was intended to encourage appreciation for the nation’s history and freedoms.
The proposal also included mention of Northwest Branding LLC donating vinyl lettering for a planned Pledge of Allegiance display in the Jake Maberry gymnasium. Board members discussed whether publicly naming the business within the resolution itself was appropriate or whether recognition should happen separately through district procedures.
Several board members raised legal and philosophical questions surrounding the proposal.
Superintendent David VanderYacht noted during the workshop that school boards commonly reserve resolutions for matters directly tied to district governance or essential policy actions. He questioned whether portions of the resolution, particularly references to recognizing a private company, were necessary within the formal language of the document.
Board President Jim Verburg also voiced concerns about whether symbolic resolutions unrelated to direct student outcomes were the appropriate role of a school board. He acknowledged the importance of patriotism and national history but questioned whether passing resolutions of this nature could open the door for future boards to pursue other politically or ideologically driven statements.
Verburg said he worried about school boards becoming too focused on “political theater” instead of district priorities such as academics, enrollment, and student services. He also referenced broader national debates surrounding ideological resolutions adopted by school boards in other parts of the country.
At multiple points during the workshop, members attempted to separate personal patriotism from the debate over whether the resolution itself was appropriate district business.
One of the most detailed portions of the conversation came from board member Khush Brar, who spoke extensively about her experience as an immigrant to the United States. Brar said she viewed the resolution as a celebration of freedom, constitutional rights, and opportunity rather than a partisan political statement.
Brar described the United States as a country that allows individuals to maintain their culture, religion, and identity while still pursuing opportunity and security. She said immigrants often come to the country because of the freedoms protected under the Constitution and argued that acknowledging America’s 250th anniversary should not be viewed as exclusionary.
The discussion later shifted toward whether patriotic messaging and symbolism meaningfully influence students.
Student representative Ashley Skyler Acton raised concerns about whether installing patriotic displays in a high school gymnasium would realistically change students’ views or behavior. She suggested younger students in elementary or middle school might be more receptive to lessons intended to encourage civic pride.
Ash also questioned how visible or impactful the proposed display would be given the existing layout of the gymnasium and noted that many students already hold firmly developed personal beliefs by the time they reach high school.
Other board members pointed out that students in Lynden schools already participate in history lessons, Veterans Day events, Memorial Day observances, and instruction related to the Constitution and American history.
Danielle Ingham questioned whether the district already provides adequate opportunities for students to learn about patriotism and civic history without the need for a formal resolution or permanent display.
As the workshop continued, tensions occasionally escalated between members over whether opposition to the resolution reflected disagreement with patriotism itself or simply disagreement over the board’s role.
At one point, Sawka argued that elected officials should not hesitate to publicly recognize the nation’s 250th anniversary, while others pushed back against what they viewed as framing the disagreement as a test of patriotism.
People present at the workshop later told Bellingham Metro News that board members Nick Sawka and Khush Brar appeared supportive of the proposal during the discussion, while Board President Jim Verburg and Danielle Ingham appeared more undecided and Danny Martinez appeared opposed. No formal vote was taken during the workshop, and the discussion remained informal as part of the board’s open workshop process.
Following the workshop discussion, Sawka told Bellingham Metro News that the intent behind the resolution was not to create controversy, but instead to “shine a light on the amazing place in which we live.” He said he is currently working on rewriting portions of the proposal and removing other sections in an effort to make sure the resolution highlights contributions from all backgrounds to American history and culture.
“My hope is that we will show people that America is bigger than political parties and that it’s worth saving,” Sawka said.
Board members also discussed potentially rewriting sections of the proposal to better reflect immigrant experiences and broader community inclusion.
Toward the end of the workshop, members agreed that some portions of the draft resolution may require revisions, including language related to funding allocations and references to the donating company. The discussion concluded without a final vote, as the item remained in workshop status for further consideration.
The proposed resolution comes ahead of nationwide preparations for the United States Semiquincentennial in 2026, which will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Bellingham Metro News reviewed both the draft resolution document and the publicly available workshop discussion while preparing this report.
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