PSD: No Obama video scheduled for Sept. 8
by Krystin Fain
Sep 03, 2009 | 1127 views | 10 10 comments | 10 10 recommendations | email to a friend | print
According to a report from Buddy Harrison of the Polk School District, Polk County Schools have no intention of showing the Obama video on Sept. 8, or any other day.

“The only place I’ve heard of it is on the news,” he said in a phone interview. “We clearly have no official plans at this time to show anything.”

Harrison hopes to deter parents from keeping children out of school due to the annoucement that the president will address children in a live webcast on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Fears have surfaced due to several local rumors regarding the internet-televised 'indoctrination' speech. Various blogs and media outlets have also speculated that there will be essays and discussions regarding student’s responsibilities to the country and to Obama.

Read the White House release concerning the webcast

Harrison had seen no video, plans or discussion topics at the time of this report on Thursday afternoon.

Superintendent Marvin Williams remains out of the office following surgery, according to a report from Tuesday’s board meeting, and could not be reached for comment.

Harrison hopes to see all students present and accounted for when Tuesday morning rolls around.

“It would be an unexcused absence,” he said. “Clearly we don’t want to encourage parents to keep their kids out of school unless they’re sick.”

Update: The webcast is scheduled to run Sept. 8 in Rome/Floyd Co. Schools. Click here to read the official release from FCBOE
Share This Article |
similar stories

Update: Airing Obama's webcast will be determined by each school | 12 months ago

PSD lunch menu: Sept 8-11 | 12 months ago

Death of area Marine is part of new PBS documentary | 10 months ago

Obama sends video backing Chicago 2016 Olympic bid | 13 months ago

PSD budget meeting scheduled for Aug. 10 | 13 months ago

comments (10)
« Mipoco wrote on Monday, Sep 07 at 11:50 AM »
Some words come to mind in viewing Polk School District's outlook on this issue. Words like asinine, silly, petty and ridiculous. Wonder if they would deny Phil Gingrey, perhaps Pat Buchannan or even Superintendent Marvin Williams to speak to the students? We don't have children in school but we do send a lot of our tax dollars there. Unfortunately there is no "excused absence" for our tax dollars not showing up for school even though our tax dollars are "sick" of the mind set.
« Mipoco wrote on Saturday, Sep 05 at 08:15 PM »
These unAmerican Americans dictating their agenda in our schools should be brought to justice for their attitudes towards Obama. He's still the president, respect him. These educated ignorant types are the same ones that would push for prayer and religion in schools as long as they could pick the diety to pray to and the religion to be taught. Still in the Dark Ages.
« Hereon278 wrote on Friday, Sep 04 at 11:04 PM »
How dare the Polk County School Board impose their own political agenda upon the children of Polk County. Yes, I say imposing a political agenda... The school boards disdain for the President (moreover, the Democratic Party) is evident by their refusal to broadcast this message from the President of the United States to the students of Polk County...

Come on Mr. Harrison, this isn't Tennessee circa 1925. We're not testing the Butler Act here...

I say to the school board, do not let your political views and bias' over step your academic responsibility of impartiality. To do otherwise, the credibility of the school system administration will certainly suffer and this action could be construed as "political indoctrination" by the state. And we do not want that now... Do we?
« Who?_Me? wrote on Friday, Sep 04 at 10:40 PM »
I don't agree with Obama's views or what he's trying to do. I don't think he's qualified to be president. BUT, like him or not, he was elected & deserves the respect due the President of the U.S.

I think parents have an obligation to discuss issues with their children on a level the child can understand. Whether they agree or disagree with what Obama has to say, they should be able to discuss the topics and explain their own points of view. Not allowing the child to watch shows disrespect for the Office of the President - not just the man. It also denies the parents an opportunity to teach their children something about how the 'real world' works.

« asdfdv96 wrote on Friday, Sep 04 at 03:19 PM »
If the schools here are not going to allow the students to watch the President of the United States, when he addresses them directly, this will be a sad day for Polk County. I am very concerned about Polk County School Boards lack of respect for our children and the President of the United States. However, I found the following and will make sure my Child is educated and enlighted myself. "Families have the option of watching the president’s remarks with their children outside of school. The speech will be available on both the White House (www.whitehouse.gov) and CSPAN (www.c-span.org) web sites after the address. Floyd County Schools encourages families to be there for your children and spend time at home discussing the importance of education and setting personal academic goals."

Atleast Floyd County has the sense to allow the children to have the option to view their President in this historic event!

« Buzz wrote on Friday, Sep 04 at 01:43 PM »
Poor Cedartown Bulldogs. The Pepperell Dragons are going to do what Rockmart should have, and beat Cedartown BADLY@!!!
« incog wrote on Friday, Sep 04 at 08:27 AM »
I think Polk School District should allow the children to watch the president's indocrination speech, get your head out of the sand Buddy Harrison, this is history my man..allow our children to witness it!
« Papagoose3 wrote on Friday, Sep 04 at 06:50 AM »
I will be contacting both schools that my children attend in PSD to ask that they be permitted to watch the President's speech. AtticusFinch is correct - ignorance is making a comeback and I will do whatever I can to prevent narrow-minded people from keeping my children in the dark
« AtticusFinch wrote on Thursday, Sep 03 at 07:00 PM »
Will there be an option for those parents who want their children to show respect and patriotism for our nation to be excused to see the president speak? I am surprised by the rancor and ignorance that seems to be prevalent in our society. When did it become objectionable to listen to a president. I think some people may be misguided. Rather than being concerned that my child is going to hear the president's speech, I would be more concerned that my child would be so easily influenced as to be "indoctrinated" into any beliefs after hearing one person speak on TV.
Postings are not edited and are the responsibility of the author. You agree not to post comments that are abusive, threatening or obscene. Postings may be removed at our discretion.