I am the lone dissenter....
SAD 36 board backs Pledge
By Donna M. Perry, Staff Writer
Friday, December 9,2005
LIVERMORE FALLS - SAD 36 directors voted 12-1 Thursday to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each board meeting. A new chairman had put the oath on the agenda in June without the board's vote of approval, which is required by the board's policy.
Three members that had not been standing with other directors to recite the Pledge of Allegiance came under fire by veterans groups Thursday before those directors could explain their reasoning.
Donald Simoneau, representative of the state and local American Legion, said it was a sad day in the state of Maine when some members of the board would not stand up to pledge allegiance to the flag of this great nation. He also noted that many veterans fought for the country and are still fighting for the country, with some giving the ultimate sacrifice.
He said the oath was not a prayer and it is time for the country to stand up for the right to say the Pledge of Allegiance in schools.
Director Denise Rodzen said the board has policies and procedures, and one policy requires the board as a whole to change the agenda.
Chairman Ashley O'Brien said there were several policies and one does state that the agenda be put together by the superintendent and the chairman. He said the board would deal with changing the agenda long-term with a vote following discussion on the Pledge of Allegiance.
Palmer Hebert, commander of the VFW in Jay, said the area is a strong veterans' community, and veterans like he have upheld the flag and fought for the flag and the country.
Member of the veterans groups, Sherry Given, said that those who didn't want to say the oath should at least stand and pay respect to the flag.
Board Vice Chairman Fred Nadeau said that the issue didn't have to come to a protest, but could have been voted on at any time by members simply by making a motion.
Director Elaine Smith, one who did not stand when the allegiance was recited Thursday, said she initially stood and said the Pledge of Allegiance when it was first introduced. She has veterans in her family, she said, but she asked why it had been put on the agenda and she was told it was because the chairman put it there.
Smith also noted that there are students in the district and other places that are not allowed to say the pledge because it is against their religions and sometimes students are reprimanded for not saying it.
"Believe me, I didn't like to be sitting, I'd like to follow the rules," Smith said.
Director Rod Newman said the issue should have been brought up six months ago when the new chairman was elected.
Rodzen, who does stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, suggested an alternate Pledge of Allegiance could be said by directors not wanting to say the words "under God."
Superintendent Terry Despres made it clear that whatever action the board took, it did not supersede an individual's rights.
Director Amie Smith, the lone dissenter in the vote, said she was concerned for students who may be reprimanded for not saying the Pledge of Allegiance because it was against their religion or they were atheists.
Director Damon Rodzen, who also didn't stand, said he recited the oath all through high school and wanted it to be part of school. He said adding it to the agenda should have been done with a board vote.
The board's recommendation to say the pledge will now go to the policy committee to have it embedded into policy.
In other business, there was a tie vote for chairman between Rodzen of Livermore Falls and O'Brien of Livermore and they ended up drawing for the position and O'Brien won.
By Donna M. Perry, Staff Writer
Friday, December 9,2005
LIVERMORE FALLS - SAD 36 directors voted 12-1 Thursday to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each board meeting. A new chairman had put the oath on the agenda in June without the board's vote of approval, which is required by the board's policy.
Three members that had not been standing with other directors to recite the Pledge of Allegiance came under fire by veterans groups Thursday before those directors could explain their reasoning.
Donald Simoneau, representative of the state and local American Legion, said it was a sad day in the state of Maine when some members of the board would not stand up to pledge allegiance to the flag of this great nation. He also noted that many veterans fought for the country and are still fighting for the country, with some giving the ultimate sacrifice.
He said the oath was not a prayer and it is time for the country to stand up for the right to say the Pledge of Allegiance in schools.
Director Denise Rodzen said the board has policies and procedures, and one policy requires the board as a whole to change the agenda.
Chairman Ashley O'Brien said there were several policies and one does state that the agenda be put together by the superintendent and the chairman. He said the board would deal with changing the agenda long-term with a vote following discussion on the Pledge of Allegiance.
Palmer Hebert, commander of the VFW in Jay, said the area is a strong veterans' community, and veterans like he have upheld the flag and fought for the flag and the country.
Member of the veterans groups, Sherry Given, said that those who didn't want to say the oath should at least stand and pay respect to the flag.
Board Vice Chairman Fred Nadeau said that the issue didn't have to come to a protest, but could have been voted on at any time by members simply by making a motion.
Director Elaine Smith, one who did not stand when the allegiance was recited Thursday, said she initially stood and said the Pledge of Allegiance when it was first introduced. She has veterans in her family, she said, but she asked why it had been put on the agenda and she was told it was because the chairman put it there.
Smith also noted that there are students in the district and other places that are not allowed to say the pledge because it is against their religions and sometimes students are reprimanded for not saying it.
"Believe me, I didn't like to be sitting, I'd like to follow the rules," Smith said.
Director Rod Newman said the issue should have been brought up six months ago when the new chairman was elected.
Rodzen, who does stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, suggested an alternate Pledge of Allegiance could be said by directors not wanting to say the words "under God."
Superintendent Terry Despres made it clear that whatever action the board took, it did not supersede an individual's rights.
Director Amie Smith, the lone dissenter in the vote, said she was concerned for students who may be reprimanded for not saying the Pledge of Allegiance because it was against their religion or they were atheists.
Director Damon Rodzen, who also didn't stand, said he recited the oath all through high school and wanted it to be part of school. He said adding it to the agenda should have been done with a board vote.
The board's recommendation to say the pledge will now go to the policy committee to have it embedded into policy.
In other business, there was a tie vote for chairman between Rodzen of Livermore Falls and O'Brien of Livermore and they ended up drawing for the position and O'Brien won.