Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Demovictory9

(32,475 posts)
Tue Oct 10, 2023, 09:19 AM Oct 2023

Public school principal questioned student's religious beliefs, punished her for dancing

Last edited Tue Oct 10, 2023, 02:19 PM - Edit history (1)

Louisiana public school principal apologizes after punishing student for dancing at a party
A Louisiana public school principal has apologized and requested leave for punishing a student and questioning her religious beliefs after he saw a video of her dancing at an off-campus party


WALKER, La. -- A Louisiana public school principal has apologized and requested leave for punishing a student and questioning her religious beliefs after he saw a video of her dancing at an off-campus party.

The 17-year-old student government president and scholarship candidate was videotaped dancing at an off-campus party following Walker High School's Sept. 30 Homecoming festivities. A hired DJ took the video and posted it on social media. Three days later, Jason St. Pierre, principal of the public high school near the state capital of Baton Rouge, told the student she would be removed from her position with the student government association and that he would no longer recommend her for college scholarships.

At a meeting in his office with the assistant principal, St. Pierre told the student she wasn’t “living in the Lord’s way,” her mother said, according to The Advocate. He printed out Bible verses with highlighted sections and “questioned who her friends were and if they followed the Lord," the news outlet reported.

In a statement published Sunday on the Livingston Parish Public Schools district Facebook page, St. Pierre reversed course. Citing the significant public attention the episode had received and more time to consider his decision, the principal apologized to the student's family and undid his previous disciplinary plans. He also addressed his invocation of religion.

“Finally, during my conversation with (the student) regarding the dance party, the subject of religious beliefs was broached by (the student) and myself," St. Pierre wrote. "While that conversation was meant with the best intentions, I do understand it is not my responsibility to determine what students’ or others’ religious beliefs may be – that should be the responsibility of the individual.”

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/louisiana-public-school-principal-apologizes-after-punishing-student-103839938
11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Public school principal questioned student's religious beliefs, punished her for dancing (Original Post) Demovictory9 Oct 2023 OP
Pathetic apology and explanation. Resign or he should be fired Raven123 Oct 2023 #1
Even though it's unclear from the article, Wednesdays Oct 2023 #2
This principal will do something like that again you can count on it, he got away with it Walleye Oct 2023 #3
Controversy continues Demovictory9 Oct 2023 #9
Both of them are white dalton99a Oct 2023 #4
nope obamanut2012 Oct 2023 #6
Link Demovictory9 Oct 2023 #8
He lies in his apology and says that the student initiated the discussion on religion. POS Beakybird Oct 2023 #5
Yep..he lied..what does his Bible say about lying. Demovictory9 Oct 2023 #10
The Supreme Court has emboldened people like this principal because they now believe they can Lonestarblue Oct 2023 #7
+1 ProfessorGAC Oct 2023 #11

Wednesdays

(17,418 posts)
2. Even though it's unclear from the article,
Tue Oct 10, 2023, 09:30 AM
Oct 2023

(Is there a link?)

What do ya wanna bet the student is black, and the principal white?

Lonestarblue

(10,094 posts)
7. The Supreme Court has emboldened people like this principal because they now believe they can
Tue Oct 10, 2023, 10:10 AM
Oct 2023

force their religion on everyone since the Court has given them special dispensation to discriminate against others and to think they have the power to do so with impunity. But every day they infiltrate more areas of public policy and institute their hateful biases into law or education.

ProfessorGAC

(65,213 posts)
11. +1
Tue Oct 10, 2023, 02:52 PM
Oct 2023

They have been emboldened by a court that seems to think only religious people can be discriminated against. So, they take that as a cue to do their own discrimination even if it's obviously wrong & probably illegal.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Public school principal q...