A Maine school district appears to have shifted its stance following legal action initiated by a father-son pair. The duo filed a lawsuit a month ago, contending that the district prevented high school students from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in classrooms.
Last month, the Portland Press Herald reported that Christopher Hickey took legal action on behalf of his son, Clayton, a 10th grader. The lawsuit accused the Falmouth School Department, located in southern Maine, of flouting a district policy and state law mandating daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by students.
The complaint highlighted a discrepancy within the district: while elementary and middle schools regularly recited the pledge, high school students had not been involved in the practice for the past two years.
The district’s leadership, addressing the issue, conveyed to Fox News Digital that they welcome families to express any queries or concerns regarding district policies. They emphasized that the Pledge of Allegiance is indeed an option for students at Falmouth High School.
The district’s policy mandates that an American flag be present in every classroom. As Falmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Nolan explained in a statement on Wednesday, “At Falmouth High School, students are welcome to say the Pledge of Allegiance if they choose.” He added that, in light of the lawsuit, the school has now implemented measures to allow students the opportunity to recite the pledge during a designated time within the school day.
“At Falmouth High School, students are welcome to say the Pledge of Allegiance if they choose,” Falmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Nolan said in a statement Wednesday. “Now that this matter has been brought to our attention, we have taken steps to provide an opportunity during the school day for students who wish to say the Pledge of Allegiance to do so during a designated time.”
Statute §4010 states: “A school administrative unit shall allow every student enrolled in the school administrative unit the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at some point during a school day in which students are required to attend. A school administrative unit may not require a student to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.”
The school’s policy says that an American flag will be flown on school grounds on school days in addition to having it visible in every classroom.
“Furthermore, an opportunity must be provided, during the school days for which students are required to attend, for students and staff to recite the Pledge of Allegiance,” the policy added.
The lawsuit alleges that the pledge was a regular occurrence in both the district’s elementary and middle schools, but not for students at the high school for the last two years. (Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)
Hickey’s attorney, Jack Baldacci, wrote in a statement to the Press Herald that despite Nolan’s wish to handle the matter without legal action, they do not think the change would have been made without filing the suit.
“The district had ample time to correct this longstanding omission on its own and failed to do so,” Baldacci wrote. “We are glad the district is now complying, and we hope this marks the beginning of a renewed commitment to the robust civic education every student deserves.”
A teacher holds an American flag in a classroom. (iStock via Getty Images)
According to a 2024 survey conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 70% of registered voters did not pass a general civics test, including questions which asked how many Supreme Court justices there are.
Baldacci did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The lawsuit is ongoing.
The U.S. Department of Education did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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