Posted on 09/27/2017 10:29:01 AM PDT by abb
(BOSSIER PARISH, LA) - The head of Bossier Parish schools is speaking out on the controversial issue of National Anthem decorum.
In light of the national dialogue taking place, Superintendent Scott Smith has released the following statement as a statement as it relates to the district's stance:
Freedom is not free. Each day the men and women at Barksdale Air Force Base and in other branches of the military in Bossier Parish and throughout the nation don a uniform and put their lives at risk as they proudly serve and protect us with honor. The least Bossier Schools can do is expect our student athletes to stand in solidarity when the National Anthem is played at sporting events in honor of those sacrifices.
In Bossier Parish, we believe when a student chooses to join and participate on a team, the players and coaches should stand when our National Anthem is played in a show of respect. This extends to those that elect to join a club or student organization, which requires a faculty sponsor. It is a choice for students to participate in extracurricular activities, not a right, and we at Bossier Schools feel strongly that our teams and organizations should stand in unity to honor our nation’s military and veterans.
This district directive was derived after seeking input from all Bossier Parish middle and high school principals in light of the national conversation currently taking place. Our principals and their coaching staffs have sole discretion in determining consequences should a student athlete elect not to stand during the National Anthem and they are making their expectations known to players and their families this week. As Superintendent, my administration will be in full support of these school-based decisions.
Our district stance is reflective of the values held not only at Bossier Schools, but throughout our great parish. The vast majority of our citizens are proud to live in a patriotic community that supports its military and shows deep respect and reverence toward our active duty military and veterans.
It is an honor for Bossier Schools to pay homage to the American flag and stand during the National Anthem. May we never take that for granted.
I was stationed there in the early 80s. Gotta love those Global Shield Alerts!
> The least Bossier Schools can do is expect our student athletes to stand in solidarity when the National Anthem is played at sporting events in honor of those sacrifices. <
Good for the superintendent! But if he tries to enforce his anthem directive in any way, shape, or form, he will lose. The ACLU will sue him, and he will lose.
That’s just the way Balkanized America rolls these days.
One suspects students in the Bossier schools are learning some important values about living in America. God bless all those who are teaching them these values.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that schools can limit student speech and conduct. There will be no successful litigation against this school or any others who enforce such rules. The threat of litigation is used as an excuse by cowardly administrators who fear for their jobs.
The Mississippi NAACP based in the biased city of Jackson, Mississippi, is trying to get the high schools in this state to take a knee during the National Anthem. This is the NAACP that gets a kickback from the Tobacco Settlement of $10 million per year and honored a rapist member of the NAACP.
> The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that schools can limit student speech and conduct. <
True that. But can they force conduct? Can a school force a student to go to class when the bell rings? Any judge would say yes.
But can a school force a student to make a political statement, like standing for the pledge? Back in 1945, any judge would say yes. Today I’m not so sure.
Thanks abb.
Oops, he just opened himself and the school for about 15 lawsuits from every commie lib organization out there. Wait until one person whines to the school board and he gets fired.
>
True that. But can they force conduct? Can a school force a student to go to class when the bell rings? Any judge would say yes.
But can a school force a student to make a political statement, like standing for the pledge? Back in 1945, any judge would say yes. Today I’m not so sure.
>
No, but I suspect they can kick the student off the team. No ‘force’ needed.
Our principals and their coaching staffs have sole discretion in determining consequences should a student athlete elect not to stand during the National Anthem...
So, if the principals and their coaching staffs choose to do nothing, it looks like there would be no consequences.
He could probably get away with pulling the plug on the entire football program. Let the peers of the "oppressed" do the enforcing.
Maybe what people need to start doing is filing class action lawsuits against the ACLU. Would be interesting to see if there is some way to force them to open their books. Are they a tax exempt organization?
Shreveport and Bossier City is home to a large contingent of retired military. There would be consequences.
“the controversial issue of National Anthem decorum.”
When the Hell did this become controversial?
Leftists hate America. Leftists hate the American Flag. Leftists hate the American National Anthem. Therefore, all these things are "controversial".
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