Louisiana public school principal apologizes after punishing student for dancing at a party

WALKER, La. — A Louisiana public school principal has apologized and asked go away for punishing a student and wondering her spiritual ideals after he noticed a video of her dancing at an off-campus party.

The 17-year-old student executive president and scholarship candidate used to be videotaped dancing at an off-campus party following Walker High School’s Sept. 30 Homecoming festivities. A employed DJ took the video and posted it on social media. Three days later, Jason St. Pierre, principal of the public top school close to the state capital of Baton Rouge, advised the student she could be got rid of from her place with the student executive affiliation and that he would not suggest her for faculty scholarships.

At a assembly in his administrative center with the assistant principal, St. Pierre advised the student she wasn’t “living in the Lord’s way,” her mom mentioned, consistent with The Advocate. He revealed out Bible verses with highlighted sections and “questioned who her friends were and if they followed the Lord,” the news outlet reported.

In a statement published Sunday on the Livingston Parish Public Schools district Facebook page, St. Pierre reversed course. Citing the significant public attention the episode had received and more time to consider his decision, the principal apologized to the student’s family and undid his previous disciplinary plans. He also addressed his invocation of religion.

“Finally, during my conversation with (the student) regarding the dance party, the subject of religious beliefs was broached by (the student) and myself,” St. Pierre wrote. “While that conversation was meant with the best intentions, I do understand it is not my responsibility to determine what students’ or others’ religious beliefs may be – that should be the responsibility of the individual.”

The student and her mother said St. Pierre brought up religion, not her. The mother and daughter have also said the deadline for her scholarship application was on Oct. 3, and questioned whether St. Pierre could have reinstated his scholarship endorsement sooner, The Advocate reported.

In a statement Monday, district officials said St. Pierre had requested to take leave for the remainder of the school year.

“Walker High School Principal Jason St. Pierre has requested to take leave for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year,” mentioned Livingston Parish Public Schools Superintendent Joe Murphy. “The district office is awaiting his paperwork to process his request.”