Lafayette 'Pledge' Teacher Charged With Assault, Child Abuse

BOULDER, CO -- An Angevine Middle School teacher on administrative leave from Boulder Valley Public Schools was ticketed by Lafayette police Feb. 13 after allegedly forcing a student to stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance Feb. 1. Karen Smith, 59, of Longmont, a physical education instructor and 20-year veteran of the BVPS, was cited for third-degree assault and child abuse.

On Feb. 1, Lafayette police arrived at the school, at 1150 W. South Boulder Road, around 9 a.m. after a report that a juvenile had refused to stand for the Pledge and that a teacher had forcefully pulled the student to his feet by his jacket and then banished him from the classroom.

Randy Barber, a spokesman for the district, said the school would be conducting their own investigation.

"We are cooperating with the District Attorney's Office and respect their decision on this matter," Barber told the Daily Camera."We are unable to comment further because it remains a personnel matter that the school district is actively investigating."

Students in BVSD are allowed to sit or stand during the pledge, according to district practice. A 1943 U.S. Supreme Court decision — the West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette — ruled school officials cannot force public school students to salute the flag while reciting the pledge.

Members of Boulder's chapter of the NAACP met with officials at BVSD on Tuesday, the Daily Camera reported.

Smith's first hearing is scheduled to take place in Boulder County Court Feb. 28.

Image via Lafayette Police