New Pledge Policy Drafted and Set to Go Before Subcommittee

Arlington Senior Sean Harrington - the 17-year-old fighting for the Pledge of Allegiance - may get his wish after all.

A letter written by School Committee Chairman Joseph Curro and sent to School Committee Member Judson Pierce, the chair of the Policies and Procedures Subcommittee, details a new draft policy on the Pledge that would mandate recitation in the school, but would also allow for personal choice.

In the letter preceeding the new policy, Curro said he recognizes it may not be the final policy, but that this is his rcommendation, one which, "I hope might be factored into your subcommittee's work," Curro said.

Harrington and the Arlington Public Schools were thrust into the national spotlight after the School Committee deadlocked on Harrington's request reinstate the Pledge of Allegiance at Arlington High School at their June 22 meeting.

Though the pledge is recited in all of the elementary schools and at the Ottoson Middle School, it stopped being recited daily at the high school years ago and the decision as to whether it is recited daily has been left up to the individual school administration.

Harrington spent three years gathering more than 700 signatures for his petition to to reinstate the pledge in the high school. He presented it at the June 22 meeting and the committee voted 3-3. A tie fails.

The story went national after Fox News ran a report on the issue and soon the School Committee was flooded with phone calls, emails and threats.

Superintendent Kathleen Bodie and School Committee Chairman Joseph Curro released a joint statement last Wednesday calling the national media reports "misleading."

As for Harrington, he has been pleased by all the media attention and with the fact that he feels like he has been taken seriously for the first time in three years. "It has been very overwhelming and gratifying," Harrington said last week.

The new draft policy as outlined by Curro:

"At the commencement of each school day, all students and staff shall be afforded the opportunity to participate in a group recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Said recitation shall be led by a volunteer or a sound recording over the school public address system or in another manner to be determined by the building administrator, in consultation with the extended school community. Wherever possible, this practice shall be structured so as to provide students with leadership opportunities. 

Individuals wishing to utilize this time for silent reflection may do so without sanction. Harassment of any individual for their choice as to whether to participate or disruption of the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance shall not be tolerated. 

The Superintendent shall be responsible for ensuring adherence to this policy, along with the development and regular review of supplementary programs of civics education."

The Policies and Procedures Subcommittee meets on July 20 at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Saftey Building and will discuss the policy then.