Washakie County school officials OK gay senior's yearbook photo

Washakie County School officials said Tuesday they will allow the photo of openly gay senior Matt Jolley to be published in the Worland High School yearbook. Jolley had submitted a photo that included him holding a gay pride flag. The decision was made after a meeting between the superintendent and local school board officials on Monday evening. "The district has determined that the student request to have a gay pride flag in his/her senior picture will not disrupt school processes and will be allowed," Superintendent David Nicholas said in an emailed statement. "This decision was made after a review of policy and following consultation with legal counsel." School officials initially said the photo violated the school's policy to refrain from taking a stance on political issues. They told Jolley on Friday he would have to pay for the photo as an advertisement if he wanted it in the yearbook, Jolley said.