Maine School District Reinstates Pledge of Allegiance Amid Lawsuit

A school district in Maine has brought back the Pledge of Allegiance in local high schools in response to a lawsuit filed by a parent earlier this year.

The lawsuit, initiated by Christopher Hickey on March 3, claims that the Falmouth School District and Superintendent Steve Nolan failed to comply with state laws and district policies by not allowing his son, Clayton, to recite the pledge in school. Hickey sought an injunction in Cumberland County Superior Court to ensure that the school adhered to state requirements.

According to reports, Falmouth High School officials recently held a voluntary recitation of the pledge, following the guidelines of a 2011 state law.

Maine law states: “School administrative units must provide all students enrolled… the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance… School administrative units may not require students to recite…”

Nolan remarked that the district is dedicated to upholding practices that are lawful while also respecting students’ individual rights, aiming for a respectful environment for everyone.

When asked about the lawsuit’s status, Nolan didn’t confirm its resolution but mentioned that the school has made changes. “Students at Falmouth High School can now recite the Pledge of Allegiance if they choose. Since we became aware of this issue, we’ve ensured that students wanting to participate can do so at a specific time during the school day,” he stated.

Jack Baldacci, the attorney for the Hickey family, expressed satisfaction with the district’s compliance, hoping it signals a renewed commitment to quality civics education for all students.

Voluntary recitation of the Pledge has been in place in Maine schools since the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. In 2015, a similar issue in South Portland was addressed after a petition spurred the school to establish a procedure encouraging participation in the Pledge.