PITTSBURGH – A federal judge in Pittsburgh has signed an order closing a lawsuit brought by a southwestern Pennsylvania girl who claimed she was disciplined for refusing to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Herald-Standard of Uniontown reports Wednesday that U.S. District Judge Mark Hornak ordered the case closed, though he'll retain jurisdiction to ensure the settlement between the Brownsville Area School District and the girl is enforced.
The settlement not only allows the 13-year-old student to sit during the pledge, it required the school board to announce that other students have that same right under the First Amendment.
The school board's solicitor tells the newspaper that the school board last week approved a $16,000 settlement, that will be paid by the district's insurance carrier.
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