by Andrew Rodriguez
This past Monday, a custodian at Woodbridge High School was caught by an administrator taking down the American flag from the flagpole, and the population has since been divided by this controversial political gesture.
While walking the grounds after school, Principal Mr. Lottmann, who prefers to be known as “The Pebble,” witnessed the custodian commit this “extremely disrespectful” act on school property. “I was just walking to my car when I saw what looked like a custodian lowering the American flag from the school flagpole out front. I confronted him and asked him what he thought he was doing. He told me he was doing his job. I was outraged.” said Mr. Lottmann.
News of the incident spread quickly and, by Tuesday, it was a focal point in every History and English class, filling the school with heated political debate.
Socially conscious junior Courtney Cholewa said, “It’s fine that he doesn’t identify with Trump or whatever, that’s his belief and that’s fine, but to express that in such a blatant manner on school property is just plain wrong. Also saying that it was his job, implying that it was his civil duty to take down the flag was just unnecessary and disrespectful.”
Some believe that the custodian’s allegiance to America should be put under investigation.. History teacher Mr. Sacco said, “Does he say the Pledge of Allegiance every day, and does he mean it? It’s hard to say after this. His ties with other countries, such as Russia, should be looked into immediately.”
While some strongly disagree with these actions, others have publicly defended the custodian in question on Twitter and a trending hashtag has even been started, aptly titled #JustifiedJanitor.
The custodian in question, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “I really was doing my job. It’s literally in my job description to lower the flag at the end of the day.”
After the custodian’s job description was made publicly available, and research on proper flag etiquette was done, discussion died down significantly.
