Father SUES Son’s High School for Refusing to Give Students the Chance to Recite Pledge of Allegiance

You probably remember saluting the flag and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with your fellow classmates every morning when you were in school.

It’s a great way to instill patriotism and a sense of civic duty in young minds.

But, apparently, it’s not happening everywhere anymore — despite many states having laws mandating the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited during the school day.

In Maine, specifically, a state statute requires schools to give every student the “opportunity” to recite the Pledge of Allegiance on a daily basis.

However, a concerned father from Maine says that the high school his son attends is not doing that.

So, he’s taking action and filing a lawsuit against the school department.

This local news clip dove deeper:

JUST IN: Dad files lawsuit against Falmouth High School in Maine for not givng students the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance pic.twitter.com/BU6ZW583is

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 15, 2026

The father, Christopher Hickey, says that Falmouth High School has not made any effort to provide students with an opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in the two years his son, Clayton, has been going there.

This is rather odd, especially because the pledge is recited at both Falmouth Elementary and Middle School.

Portland Press Herald has more details on the lawsuit:

In 2012, the Falmouth School Department adopted a policy that requires an opportunity for students and staff to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The lawsuit claims the district is violating its responsibilities under both state law and district policy.

“The lawsuit highlights a straightforward violation of Maine law and the Falmouth School Department’s own policy,” attorney Jack Baldacci, who is representing Christopher Hickey, wrote in an email.

“My client, Christopher Hickey, is seeking to ensure compliance so that his son Clayton, and all Falmouth students, can benefit from this important civic tradition. We’re optimistic the court will act promptly to reinstate it.”

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Both district and state policies state school administrations cannot require a student to recite or participate in the pledge. In 2015, three students at South Portland High School challenged how the pledge was introduced each day, igniting local tensions and eventually leading to a change in the introduction to make clear that recitation was optional.

In a 2015 survey of 23 public and private schools in southern Maine led by the Portland Press Herald, nearly all recited the pledge daily. While several private schools did not pledge, Cape Elizabeth High School was the only public school to not incorporate the pledge into its daily routine. Many schools had not been reciting the pledge prior to Sept. 11, 2001, but resumed the practice after the terrorist attacks.

The lawsuit asks the Cumberland County Superior Court to declare the Falmouth School Department in violation of state and district policy and issue a permanent injunction requiring them to immediately comply and provide a structured opportunity to recite the pledge daily.

Christopher Hickey is getting a lot of support from patriots online.

Take a look at some of these replies:

Good for him. That should still be done in every school.

— Shannon (@peanutandjojos) March 15, 2026

We need more brave parents to stand up for “good”!

— Kristi (@KristiKettler) March 15, 2026

Good. All these liberal schools need some good American learning. Hope he named the staff as well.

— American Revivalist (@MikeCBurlew) March 15, 2026

What are your thoughts?

Should reciting the Pledge of Allegiance be required in schools?