A Montgomery County middle school teacher’s decision to punish a student for twice refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance “should not have occurred” and the school has apologized to the student’s family for the incident, according to a letter from the school’s acting principal sent home with students Wednesday.
“I want to assure you that we respect students’ rights at Roberto Clemente Middle School and are committed to rectifying the situation that occurred last month,” Khadija F. Barkley, acting principal of Roberto Clemente Middle School in Germantown, wrote in a letter to students, staff and parents.
On two occasions in January, a female student at the school refused to stand for the pledge, and instead remained in her chair. The teacher threatened detention and then sent the student to the school counselor’s office. The second time, the teacher called a school security officer to take the student to the counselor’s office. Neither nor the student nor teacher has been identified.
“It’s a violation of our policy, and it shouldn’t have happened,” said schools spokesman Dana Tofig. “It’s very clear that you can’t compel someone to take part in a patriotic act.”
According to the Montgomery County Public Schools student handbook, “students cannot be required to say a pledge, sing an anthem, or take part in patriotic exercises. No one will be permitted to intentionally embarrass you if you choose not to participate.”
In the 1943 case West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, the Supreme Court affirmed the right of students to refrain from participating in the Pledge of Allegiance.
“It is unfortunate that this incident occurred at Clemente, but we will use it as a learning experience as we move forward,” Barkley wrote. “Our entire Roberto Clemente Middle School staff is committed to building a school where all students feel respected and valued. While we fell short this time, it does not lessen our commitment.”
A call placed to Ajmel Quereshi, a lawyer for the ACLU of Maryland, was not immediately returned Wednesday evening. The ACLU is seeking an apology on behalf of the student and her family.
Examiner Staff Writer Leah Fabel contributed to this report.
