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Jan 14, 2009 4:46 pm US/Central
Keller ISD Allowing Limited Inauguration Viewing
Selena Hernandez
KELLER (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Last week administrators in the Keller Independent School District decided that students there would not watch the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama.
After an outcry from parents and members of the community, the school district has partially reversed its decision. A receptionist at one Keller ISD school said she had "been overwhelmed with phone calls from parents angry about the decision."
On Wednesday, no one from the school district would comment to CBS 11 News on camera, but issued a statement that said in part, "Keller ISD will allow students to view Tuesday's Presidential swearing-in as is appropriate."
School officials said it was never their intent to in anyway imply that the inauguration was not a historical event and that the previous decision was made believing that the community would want the district to, "maintain its focus on our approved curriculum".
The statement went on to say the Keller school district has, "embraced the historic importance of the 2008 Presidential Election through programs such as last falls district-wide mock elections".
With the reversal, KISD students, curriculum Kindergarten through 12th grades, will be allowed to watch the inauguration if it occurs during their Social Studies or U.S. History class. The KISD website states, "Variances in viewings will be based on schedules, age appropriateness and technology."
"Now they're saying they will allow it – only in the circumstance that it's a Social Studies class," said the Associate Director of the United Educators Association, Larry West. "What if I'm in math class at noon? That means I can't watch it. I can't watch it live. It's like watching the Super Bowl on rerun – it's just not the same thing."
A Keller ISD spokesperson confirmed that all students were allowed to watch the 2005 presidential inauguration of George W. Bush. CBS 11 News was told that no policy existed in 2005 and that the school district was under a different administration at that time.
A majority of the school districts contacted by CBS 11 News were either allowing students to watch the inauguration live or encouraging teachers and principals to work the event into their educational day – including the Birdville, Denton, Fort Worth, and Mesquite Independent School Districts.
"Public education is about raising engaged, active citizens. What an opportunity? It's going to be missed by some Keller students," said West.
Inauguration swearing-in ceremonies for the president-elect and vice president-elect begin at 10:30 a.m. on January 20th and can be seen live on cbs11tv.com.
At Noon Barack Obama will take the oath of office, which is a simple, 36-word, statement: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Following the swearing in, President Barack Obama will give his inaugural address.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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