Middle school teacher Karen Smith, a “strict” Colorado gym teacher has been accused of assaulting a student because he refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
School district officials said Smith has been placed on paid administrative leave after the alleged incident at Angevine Middle School.
Local police in Denver confirmed that cops are investigating reports that Smith assaulted an unidentified student for refusing to stand for the Pledge.
Charges have not been filed and details of the alleged incident have not been revealed.
“I am reaching out to you tonight to let you know that we will have a substitute teacher working with some of our PE classes for the time being,” Principal Mike Medina said in a letter sent home to parents.
“While I cannot share much information, following an incident today at school, Ms. Smith was placed on paid administrative leave. We are working closely with our partners at the Lafayette Police department,” the letter read.
“We believe in due process and therefore ask that everyone respect Ms. Smith’s privacy at this time.”
Smith, a 20-year veteran at the school, is known as a “strict” teacher, but that had never before been an issue, one parent of a child at the middle school said.
It is the school district policy to allow students the choice of sitting or standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.
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