AndrewBlakeLafayette, CO – A middle school teacher was put on paid leave while the police investigate allegations that the female teacher assaulted a student who refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance Feb. 1.
The Longmont Times-Call reported that Karen Smith, an Angevine Middle School physical education teacher, has worked for the school district for 20 years and is on paid administrative leave, according to Boulder Valley School District spokesman Randy Barber.
Lafayette Police Department Commander Brian Rosipajla confirmed to the Longmont Times-Call that police responded to the school at about noon. The police were investigating a report of a teacher assaulting a student for refusing to stand for the pledge.
Barber said the school district’s practice is to allow students to sit or stand during the pledge.
The Longmont Times-Call reported that the school district sent a letter Feb. 1 attributed to the school’s principal and two assistant principals that told parents a substitute teacher would be filling in for Smith while the police investigated the incident.
“We are dedicated, as always, to supporting our students and ensuring that we have qualified educators working with them during their physical education time,” the letter stated.
An assault could constitute any unwanted touching, and it’s not clear at this time how the student was assaulted.
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