Nearly a hundred people gathered at Pace High School on Tuesday night to discuss a controversial Florida statute about the Pledge of Allegiance.
Community members sported American flag skull caps, military regalia and patriotic colors to show their stance. With full support from those who attended, Representatives Mike Hill (R-PensacolaBeach) and Doug Broxson (R-Gulf Breeze) and Sen. Greg Evers drafted a new statute clarifying the existing law.
“I feel reasonably sure we can get the bill through hurriedly,” Evers said.
If passed, the new statute will allow students to submit a written request to their school to be excused from saying the Pledge of Allegiance. It will also limit the posting of students’ rights on this matter to the school’s student handbooks.
Currently, Florida statute 1003.44 reads that “each student shall be informed by posting a notice in a conspicuous place the student has the right not to participate in reciting the pledge. Upon written request by his or her parent, the student must be excused from reciting the pledge.”
This hearing was sparked by a parent who complained to Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick that their child was asked to say the Pledge of Allegiance against their wishes. The parent also complained the school didn’t place signs in classrooms to explain students’ rights.
Wyrosdick put up the signs, but doesn’t want to keep them there.
“Change the law and I will follow the law,” Wyrosdick said. “The problem is not with the law; it’s why we have to put up the signs.”
Like most attending the hearing, Evers had an issue with posting the notification in classrooms.
“One of the worst things is to hang signs on the wall,” Evers said. “It’s hanging dirty laundry.”
During the meeting, a steady stream of community members spoke about their disdain for the statute.
Haley Odom is a 16-year-old student in the district. She said her “heart sinks” for those who lost their lives fighting for the U.S.
“It makes me sick to my stomach,” she said through tears. “These signs do not belong in classrooms. I just don’t understand.”
After her speech, the crowd gave a standing ovation.
Jerry Coeuy spoke next. He said the district should have consulted the community before posting signs.
“Our superintendent should have had that complaint in a school board meeting,” he said. “It was behind closed doors. That troubles me greatly.”
Couey said he’s fed up with being politically correct.
Take a look at the Press Gazette's Storified version of the Pledge issue for more perspective. https://storify.com/SRPG_Aaron/students-don-t-have-to-pledge-but-how-do-they-know
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Lawmakers propose bill to settle pledge issue