20-7-133. Pledge of allegiance required -- exemption for students and teachers. (1) Except as provided in subsection (4), the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America must be recited in all public schools of the state.
     (2) The recitation required in subsection (1) must be conducted at the beginning of the first class:
     (a) of each school day in kindergarten through grade 6; and
     (b) of each school week in grades 7 through 12.
     (3) The recitation must be conducted:
     (a) by each individual classroom teacher or the teacher's surrogate; or
     (b) over the school intercom system by a faculty member or person designated by the principal.
     (4) A school district shall inform all students and teachers of their right to not participate in recitation of the pledge. Any student or teacher who, for any reason, objects to participating in the pledge exercise must be excused from participation. A student or teacher who declines to participate in the pledge may engage in any alternative form of conduct so long as that conduct does not materially or substantially disrupt the work or discipline of the school.
     (5) If a student or teacher declines to participate in the recitation of the pledge pursuant to this section, a school district may not for evaluation purposes include any reference to the student's or teacher's not participating.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 320, L. 1997.