'Fix' in pledge raises concern

Jeffco school's counselor alters phrase 'under God'

Jennifer Miller, Rocky Mountain News

Friday, April 22, 2005

JEFFERSON COUNTY - Seventh-grader Bailey Pierce, hand pressed against her heart, was reciting the Pledge of Allegiance when the voice over the intercom said something that stopped her cold.

"One nation, under 'your belief system.' "

Bailey said that guidance counselor Margo Lucero substituted the phrase for "under God" while leading the morning pledge at Everitt Middle School on Wednesday.

Bailey said the incident shocked her and her classmates, many of whom stopped in mid-sentence and exchanged bewildered looks.

Principal Kathleen Norton was out of the building during the incident, but apologized Thursday to the student body and today will be sending letters of apology to parents.

"It was completely inappropriate," Jefferson County School District Superintendent Cindy Stevenson said. "We completely believe any teacher or student has the right to follow their individual conscience, however, when leading children, you adhere to the Pledge of Allegiance."

Lucero said she didn't intend to be offensive but rather wanted to mark the sixth anniversary of the Columbine High School slayings by evoking a sense of tolerance.

"Given the anniversary of Columbine, it was a spur-of-the- moment choice that I made, intended to acknowledge differences that lie in our society," Lucero said. "It's not a reflection of the district, and it was not my intention to offend anyone, rather to include (everyone)."

Stevenson would not discuss whether Lucero faces any discipline but said Norton was working with the counselor.

Some parents, including Christina Pulciani-Johnson, say Lucero should be disciplined.

"I think she should be reprimanded," said Pulciani- Johnson, who has a son in the seventh grade at Ever-itt.

Pulciano-Johnson said she spoke with Lucero, and the counselor told her that she believed in separation of church and school.

Still, "she had no right to change (the pledge)," Pulciani- Johnson said.

Stevenson said that Jefferson County schools follow state guidelines that give children the choice of saying the pledge. Most district schools broadcast the pledge over their intercom system along with announcements at the beginning of the day, she said.

At Everitt, the principal normally leads the pledge. If she's unavailable the secretary does it, and occasionally, students perform the duty.

"It was unusual," Stevenson said of what happened. "The counselor just said, 'I can do it,' and she did it."

Students were questioning whether what the counselor did was right.

"It kind of changed some kids' day," Bailey said.

"Some of them believe in God and thought it was wrong for her to change it."

Bailey's mother, Shelley, said, "The school intercom system is not the correct means for voicing one's personal political opinions."

The district agrees.

"If you have a problem with the pledge, that's your issue," Stevenson said. "Adults should not try to influence children with their personal conscience."

millerj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5425