A Maine school district has officially brought the Pledge of Allegiance back to its high school hallways, moving to resolve a lawsuit brought forward by a local father this spring. Christopher Hickey filed the suit on March 3, alleging that the Falmouth school district and Superintendent Steve Nolan were in direct violation of state law.
According to court documents, Hickey claimed his son, Clayton, was never given the opportunity to recite the pledge during the school day.
The legal push sought a court injunction to force Falmouth High School into compliance with a 2011 Maine statute. That law, specifically section 4010 of Title 20-A, is very clear: schools must give every student the chance to say the pledge, though they cannot force any student to participate.
Superintendent Steve Nolan confirmed this week that the school has adjusted its daily routine. While Nolan didn’t explicitly say the lawsuit was fully settled, he noted that the district is taking action to fix the oversight.
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“At Falmouth High School, students are welcome to say the Pledge of Allegiance if they choose,” Nolan stated. He added that the district has now carved out a designated time during the school day for students who wish to participate, while remaining committed to upholding the law while respecting individual rights.
The move marks a win for the Hickey family. Their attorney, Jack Baldacci, expressed relief that the district is now following state guidelines. “We are glad the district is now complying,” Baldacci said, “and we hope this marks the beginning of a renewed commitment to the robust civic education every student deserves.”
This isn’t the first time the pledge has sparked conversation in the region. While Maine schools generally resumed the practice following the September 11 terrorist attacks, individual schools have occasionally run into procedural hurdles.
Back in 2015, nearby South Portland High School had to formalize its own process after a petition pushed the administration to ensure the student body president officially invited peers to stand and join in.
In Falmouth, the change is effective immediately, ensuring that the morning routine now includes the optional recitation as mandated by Maine’s revised statutes.
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