In response to public outcry, a Bennington County school district is taking heat for what parents say is a recently announced ban on saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union includes Mt. Anthony Union High School in Bennington, and schools in Pownal, Arlington, Shaftsbury, and Sandgate. According to the story reported by News 10 out of Albany, NY, the controversy began when parents learned their children attending Shaftsbury Elementary School would no longer have the option of saying the pledge.
At present, the supervisory union has an ‘opt-out’ policy for students and staff. The proposed ban would stop any public recitation of the Pledge. One parent said her daughters were marked ‘tardy’ for saying the Pledge before school started.
Of the 29 comments beneath the News 10 story, none supported a ban. Some welcomed the ‘opt out.’
In response, Superintendent James R. Culkeen issued statement saying that due to friction, the opt-out policy should be replaced with a “more consistent practice” – apparently meaning, no pledge at all.
The public and school board will discuss the topic at the next school board meeting October 8.
Culkeen’s entire statement appears below:
The Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District and Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union have not banned the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance. We are all a part of the same community. Within our community, there are a variety of voices and opinions. When it comes to reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in schools, some families are in full support, some families find different points of controversy, and some families care very little about the subject. There are reasons that validate all of those stances.
For the last several years, the principals of each of the schools in the SVSU have been empowered to decide if the Pledge of Allegiance would be recited in the individual buildings. This is not new. Across all schools where the Pledge was recited, students and staff have the choice to opt out.
On its face, the ”opt-out” choice seems reasonable. But as we’ve learned, when students do so, it highlights differences between our kids. It disrupts the community and excludes kids who just want to be a part of their classrooms. Classroom teachers, building Principals, and school staff should not be leading activities during instructional time that make our kids feel separate from their classmates, no matter how well intentioned the activities may be.
It is now clear that a consistent practice needs to be developed across our schools, to address all of the various points of view on this matter, while fostering a stronger sense of community among our students. The SVUESD will be undertaking this work for the seven schools under its purview, and encourage the other member districts of the SU to do the same.
Guy Page | Vermont Daily Chronicle
