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Principal First Threatened To Ruin Valedictorian For Religious Speech Now Apologizes

Clash DailyJune 21, 2013

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A Texas school district has apologized to a high school valedictorian whose appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy was threatened after he delivered a speech that referenced God and the U.S. Constitution — in defiance of district policies.

Remington Reimer, a senior at Joshua High School, made national headlines on June 6 when officials cut off his microphone in mid-speech after he strayed from pre-approved remarks and began talking about his relationship with Jesus Christ.

Reimer, who has received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, thanked God for “giving up His only Son for us to an excruciating death on a cross so His blood would cover all our shortcomings and provide for us a way to heaven in accepting His grace.”

The following day the principal, Mick Cochran, met with Reimer’s father and informed him “that he intended to punish Remington for his perceived misdeed,” according to Hiram Sasser, director of litigation for the Liberty Institute.

“Specifically, he threatened to send a letter to the United States Naval Academy advising them that Remington has poor character or words to that effect,” Sasser told Fox News. “The principal said he wanted to try to ruin him for what he did – for talking about the Constitution and his faith.”

Fran Merek, the superintendent of the Joshua Independent School District, issued a carefully worded statement apologizing for the incident.

“On behalf of the school district, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to Mr. Todd Reimer and Remington Reimer for any interpretation of a threat by Mr. Cochran in expressing his displeasure at a meeting on Friday morning between Mr. Todd Reimer and Mr. Cochran following Remington Reimer’s valedictory address,” Marek wrote in a statement. “The District has never intended to nor will take punitive action against Remington Reimer for deviating from the prior-reviewed speech. The District endorses Remington Reimer’s appointment to the Naval Academy and wishes him success for all future endeavors in his naval career. District officials will ensure that district policy is followed at future graduation ceremonies.”

Sasser said he was satisfied with the district’s apology and said it was the right thing to do.

“We are thankful for the leadership of Superintendent Marek in favorably resolving this matter,” he said. “We commend her and the district for having the courage to do the right thing.”

Reimer, too, was pleased with the outcome.

“I always knew the school district would support me in the end,” he said. “God bless you, Superintendent Marek.”

The school district initially defended their decision to cut off his microphone noting, “student speakers were told that if their speeches deviated from the prior-reviewed material, the microphone would be turned off, regardless of content.”

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