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December 5, 2009

Area schools make pledge optional

By STEPHEN BARTLETT

PLATTSBURGH — Nothing revolutionary occurred when Beekmantown Central School tweaked its policy that ensures students can opt out of the Pledge of Allegiance if they choose.

In fact, every area school district the Press-Republican spoke with treats daily pledge recitals as optional for students, guided by a decades-old ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Locally, many schools have at least a couple of students who take advantage of their right to not stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

"Those students who do not say the pledge have been very cooperative," said Saranac Central School Superintendent Ken Cringle, recalling a few who opted out of reciting the pledge when he was High School principal.

Saranac School District gives students the option of not reciting it. When the district says the pledge each morning, students who choose not to must be respectful, specifically by not talking.

SUPREME COURT RULING
In 1943, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional to require West Virginia school students to stand and recite the pledge, an oath of loyalty to the United States composed in 1892.

There is currently a debate in Florida over whether students can decide on their own to decline to recite the Pledge of Allegiance or whether those rights come through their parents. Courts there ruled in favor of the latter, and the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case.

'INVITED TO JOIN'
A student at Beekmantown Central School had recently exercised her right not to recite the pledge in the morning, but her parent worried about the perception other students might have of the child.

"When it was brought to our attention, it became a challenge that if other students have that same right, they should know that, so a child doesn't have to feel awkward," said Superintendent Scott Amo.

"My original effort within the district was to say, 'Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, and for those who choose not to, please remain seated.' We no longer say that. Now we say, 'You are invited to join us for the Pledge of Allegiance.'"

Amo said that should satisfy any doubts students have about that right. He stressed that it was his decision and not an action by the School Board, which has been taking some heat from the public.

The district has not seen more students opting out of the pledge since the change.

MOST PARTICIPATE
Crown Point Central School students can choose not to participate by not standing or leaving the room during the pledge, which is recited each morning. That doesn't happen often, though.

"We have a pretty high rate of participation," said Superintendent Shari Brannock. "I would say in the past when it has occurred it has generally been for religious reasons, and parents would have notified us."

ALL STAND
AuSable Valley Central School students must stand, whether they recite the Pledge of Allegiance or not.

"We expect students to be respectful during that time," said Superintendent Paul Savage.

Malone and Northeastern Clinton Central schools expect students to stand, too, but they also would not be punished for remaining silent.

OPTIONAL
The issue hasn't been raised since James "Jake" Short has been superintendent of Plattsburgh City School. But students who don't want to say the pledge can sit quietly and not participate, he said.

"It wouldn't surprise me if there was a student or two."

Laura Marlow's stance has always been that the Pledge of Allegiance is optional for students at Northern Adirondack Central School. Any students who decide not to recite the oath don't have to stand, but they must be respectful.

"Students who do not want to do the pledge are pretty knowledgeable about their rights," said the superintendent.

'ramifications'
There is quite a bit of case law on the issue, said Saranac Lake Central School Superintendent Gerald Goldman, and students can't be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

"I don't even think they can be required to stand."

When he was High School principal and students chose not to stand, he had them sent to his office for a talk. Goldman told them his father was a Marine during World War II and gave up five years to fight for his country and would want students to respect the pledge and recite it.

"I pointed out it was their right not to do it, but it was my right to let them know what I thought about it," Goldman said.

"If you want to exercise your First Amendment rights, I am all for it, but I will also represent mine and let them know I think they are making a poor decision."

He would also point out that a teacher may remember the student's decision not to recite the pledge when that student asks for, say, a recommendation for college.

"There are always ramifications for your actions."

E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com

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