High School Cheerleaders Put on Probation for Posing With Trump Banner
On Monday, cheerleaders from a North Carolina high school were put on probation for the remainder of the football season for posing with a Trump 2020 banner before a football game on August 30.
The North Stanly High School cheerleading squad was placed on probation by the #NCHSAA for posing with a #Trump banner before a game. Officials say all #NC schools have a policy against displaying political signs. DETAILS: https://t.co/NZ1TyU5eLZ #ncnews #politics #news #WCCB
— WCCB Charlotte's CW (@WCCBCharlotte) September 17, 2019
The photo was posted on Facebook, prompting some commenters to take issue; one wrote, “Why in the world would the school board allow this to happen. I am sad and very disappointed with NS. This is a High School football game, not a political rally. Shame on them,” as The Daily Mail noted.
NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker told McClatchy news group that probation is not punishment, but rather, “It serves as a notice of behavior or action that is against NCHSAA Handbook Policy or contrary to expectations of sportsmanship and proper behavior,” according to the Charlotte Observer. She also said, “One of the rules we have is that every contest should be conducted in a wholesome, athletic environment. We take that to mean that it’s in an environment where good sportsmanship is shown, where people feel safe…that respect for all people participating is being shown,” according to thesnaponline.
The Stanly County School District issued a statement saying:
We are currently investigating this matter but as of this morning we have determined this was not an act planned or endorsed by the school or its staff. A student attending the event brought the flag into the game, which was not present when entering the gate … Stanly County Schools respects the rights of its students, staff, and visitors to express their opinions in a respectful manner on their own time, however, Stanly County Board of Education policy prohibits the display or distribution of political advertisements on campus or at school events. Further, Stanly County Schools never makes political campaign endorsements. These policies ensure that all students, staff and visitors are able to attend school events in an environment that promotes students and not a particular political viewpoint.
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