LAFAYETTE, Colo. — A physical education teacher at Angevine Middle School in Lafayette is under investigation for allegedly assaulting a student who refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Officials with the Boulder Valley School District placed the teacher, Karen Smith, on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
Lafayette Police responded to the school, 1150 W. South Boulder Road, around noon Thursday.
District officials declined to release details surrounding the alleged incident. However, in a letter sent to parents, administrators write that they are cooperating with police.
Lafayette Police are currently conducting interviews to determine what happened and if criminal charges are warranted. It's not clear if any student was injured.
The district told the Boulder Daily Cameraits policy allows students to sit or stand during the pledge.
School officials say Smith, a 20 year veteran of the Boulder Valley School District, will be replaced with a substitute teacher for the time being.
The school also asks that “everyone respect Ms. Smith’s privacy,” and stressed they are “dedicated, as always, to supporting our students and ensuring that we have qualified educators working with them during their physical education time.”
