Pierce

Heigham

Judson Pierce and Leba Heigham, two of the three School Committee members who helped craft a policy about the Pledge of Allegiance in schools, have addressed a request to explain their votes. The third, Cindy Starks, did not respond and may be on vacation.

July 21: Subcommittee recommends Pledge be said in all Arlington schools

Pierce and Heigham were among the three who voted no to a motion about the Pledge June 22, a vote that put Arlington in the national spotlight, particularly after Fox News inaccurately reported that the School Committee had "banned" the Pledge.

The 3-3 vote June 22, after an impassioned pitch by student Sean Harrington, was in response to a motion to have students at the high school hear a recorded Pledge. The tie vote meant it failed.

In devising a policy to recommend to the School Committee, the policies and procedures subcommittee voted, 3-0, July 21 to require principals at every public school in Arlington to make sure all students have the opportunity to voluntarily say the Pledge during the school day. 

Following the vote, YourArlington asked all subcommittee members to discuss their votes on this issue, as well as the perception that they may have changed their minds. Here are statements from two subcommittee members (once the third statement is received it will be added to this report):

Pierce, chairman of the subcommittee:

"On June 22nd I was unable to vote 'yes' on an oral motion that was not properly studied, expected, and did not follow our Committee’s procedure for new policy enactment. I did not have a copy of any petition nor did I have the full SJC advisory opinion or any other court rulings on the subject of the Pledge of Allegiance. 

"I viewed the summer, a time when students are not in school, as an opportunity to look to other district’s policies and consult with experts. 

"These last four weeks have been an amazing learning experience. I have had the opportunity to study the law and speak with lawyers, legislators, educators and the public. I am now comfortable voting for a voluntary pledge of allegiance.

"Last evening [July 21] our Policies and Procedures Subcommittee recommended a policy that I believe follows the law, allows for reasonable autonomy and flexibility to our school administrators for appropriate implementation, and one which I believe will be approved forthwith by town counsel, Juliana Rice. 

"It would then be heard by our full School Committee and will require two readings before it becomes enacted in our district policy manual.

"I value our process and our ability to deliberate over time and seek information as well as public comment. To quote Adlai Stevenson, 'Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.'

"I sincerely thank my colleagues for their hard work and I thank our community for sharing their collective voices. I welcome debate. I have reached out to so many and look forward to more opportunities to do the same. It is my deep and most sincere hope that our community dialogue on all issues going forward will be respectful and civil. I am honored to serve on the Arlington School Committee and hope to always represent my community in a professional and dignified manner."

Leba Heigham, subcommittee member:

"Based on the emails and conversations I had with Arlington community members, it became clear there is a need to craft a policy that balances expressions of national pride with protection of individuals’ civil liberties.

"Unlike the proposal made in June, this policy achieves that balance and is being developed in a manner consistent with our Policy Adoption Policy. 

"In addition to review by the full School Committee that involves two separate readings of the printed policy and an opportunity for community feedback, the Policies and Procedures Subcommittee has forwarded the proposed policy for legal review.

"I feel that this process is one that requires careful consideration of the effects of any new policy and I only feel comfortable in voting for a new policy when this process is followed."

Harrington has not responded to two requests for comment.

The recommended policy is expected to be discussed by the full committee at its Tuesday, Aug. 3, meeting.

July 7: School Committee chair offers guidance on Pledge policy

June 30: Arlington police probe hate e-mails to school officials over Pledge issue

This story was first reported Sunday, July 25, 2010.