Father Sues Blue-State School District on Behalf of His Son Over Pledge of Allegiance
Deprecated: str_getcsv(): the $escape parameter must be provided as its default value will change in /var/www/html/breaking-news/wp-content/plugins/wp-auto-affiliate-links/aal_engine.php on line 361
A Maine father has filed a lawsuit against the Falmouth School Department and Superintendent Steve Nolan, alleging the district failed to provide students with an prospect to recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the school day. The suit,brought on behalf of his son Clayton,a 10th-grader at Falmouth High School,cites a 2011 Maine statute that requires a school administrative unit to allow every student the opportunity to recite the pledge at some point during a school day,while also stating that participation is optional. The plaintiff seeks compliance and also a letter of apology from the district. Local coverage and veterans’ comments referenced in the report emphasize the belief that patriotic expressions are important, while the case centers on what constitutes an “opportunity” to recite the pledge, including whether it should occur over the intercom or in the classroom.
A father in Maine has filed a lawsuit against his son’s school district, accusing them of failing to provide children an opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the school day.
The lawsuit, filed against the Falmouth School Department and Superintendent Steve Nolan, alleges that the district is violating Maine law, according to the Portland Press Herald.
The statute in question dates back to 2011 and is posted on the legislature’s official website.
“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,” the statute reads. “A school administrative unit may not require a student to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.”
The plaintiff, Christopher Hickey, reportedly filed the lawsuit on behalf of his son, Clayton, a 10th-grader who has attended Falmouth High School for two years.
WGME-TV cited an affidavit from Clayton stating that neither he nor his classmates were ever given a chance to recite the pledge during the school day.
In addition to the school providing an opportunity for all students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in a structured way, Hickey also wants a letter of apology from the Falmouth School Department.
The courts will likely have to determine what constitutes an “opportunity to recite the Pledge;” however, the lawsuit states that it has not been d over the school’s intercom or led by teachers in the classroom, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Local Army veterans spoke with WGME-TV and said such expressions of patriotism are vital to a healthy nation.
A Maine high school faces a lawsuit for not giving students the chance to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Army veteran: “You should always do the Pledge… It’s part of being proud of our country.”pic.twitter.com/Mkq0232nTV
— Brandon Straka #WalkAway (@BrandonStraka) March 15, 2026
“Our students don’t get enough citizenship instruction. And that’s the least they can do, I think,” said Army veteran Chris Winne. “You know, it represents so much to not only veterans, but the entire community and our country. And so I don’t see any bad in it, only good.”
“I think you should always do the Pledge of Allegiance in the high school,” Falmouth Army veteran James Richardson added. “It’s what makes America America. That’s part of [taking] pride in our country.”
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
