A new bill has been introduced in Ohio that aims to increase transparency in schools by requiring them to publicly disclose their Pledge of Allegiance policies. The Transparency in Pledge of Allegiance Act (T.I.P.A.) was brought to the Ohio House of Representatives on Aug. 19, 2024 by Rep. Gail Pavliga, R-Atwater, and Rep. Tracy Richardson, R-Marysville.
Under the proposed bill, schools in Ohio would need to have a policy in place regarding whether or not they recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Rep. Pavliga expressed her passion for the pledge, stating that as a patriotic individual, she believes it should be recited in schools. However, she did not want to mandate a specific policy. Instead, she believes that making the policies publicly accessible to the constituents of each school district is the best approach.
Rep. Richardson, who co-sponsored the bill, emphasized the unifying nature of the pledge and the importance of keeping parents informed about school policies. Richardson, a former member of the Armed Forces, highlighted the significance of the flag and the pledge as symbols of unity and patriotism.
According to the Freedom Forum, 46 states currently have requirements regarding the recitation of the pledge in schools, with exemptions or reminders in place in 34 states to ensure that students cannot be forced to participate. The organization promotes First Amendment freedoms and advocates for transparency in school policies.
Rep. Pavilga emphasized the importance of parents knowing the policies of their school districts, especially since they are taxpayers. She believes that the community should have a say in how their local government operates, which is why the bill does not impose a specific policy but instead ensures that parents are aware of their school’s stance on the Pledge of Allegiance.
Richardson echoed Pavilga’s sentiments, stating that the bill is about transparency and fulfilling the expectations of Ohioans for openness from their elected officials and government agencies. The bill aims to provide clarity to parents and community members regarding school policies on the pledge.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in West Virginia v. Barnette in 1943 affirmed that public school students cannot be compelled to salute or pledge allegiance to the U.S. flag. The pledge itself, which dates back to September 1892, was written by ordained minister Francis Bellamy to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival.
Rep. Pavilga expressed optimism that the Ohio House will pass the bill before the end of the 135th state assembly session in December. Fox News Digital reached out to the Ohio Board of Education for further comment on the proposed legislation.
In conclusion, the proposed Transparency in Pledge of Allegiance Act in Ohio seeks to ensure that school districts are transparent about their policies regarding the recitation of the pledge. The bill’s sponsors, Rep. Gail Pavliga and Rep. Tracy Richardson, believe that parents and community members have the right to know where their schools stand on this issue. By promoting openness and transparency, the bill aims to uphold the values of unity and patriotism embodied by the Pledge of Allegiance.
