By Al Colombo
For religious reasons, physics teacher, Philip Hudock, Elkin, West Virginia, refused to wear an identification (ID) badge at school that displays his picture and a barcode. Hudok says his refusal is based on 1st Chronicles, Chapter 21 in the 1611 King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Hudock said, "It is against my religious beliefs that people should be numbered."[1] Superintendent, Glen Karlen, said that if Hudock continues to refuse to follow school board policy, the board will then make a determination on what, if any, action that should be taken. Karlen said that Hudock's request was turned over to the school board's attorney.
School officials decided to have Elkin High School teachers wear the badges about six years ago. The decision to have Elkin students wear them was made last August and was allegedly borne out of concern for the safety and security of both teachers and students because of the recent shootings that took place in Paducah and Jonesboro.
According to Hudock, he has refused to wear an ID badge ever since the policy was instituted for Elkin teachers. Because the ID badge is used as a debit card for hot lunches in the school's cafateria, he has not been able to purchase a hot lunch since that time. Purchases are made using the barcode on the card.
"It appears that Elkins High School teacher, Phillip Hudok, is being harassed and threatened with termination of employment by [school] officials of the Randolph County Public School District because of [Hudok's] refusal to participate in a program designed to 'brand,' 'label' or 'mark' the masses in an attempt to identify the few that just might be prone to violence,"[2] said Rev. Tomlin Major, President, The Christian Alert Network Inc., Killeen, Texas. However, in Paducah and Jonesboro, the use of ID badges apparently would not have prevented the unfortunate violence that took place because the students in question belonged there.
Prior to Christmas break, teacher Hudock, who has taught in the Randolph County school system for 22 years, was told by school officials that he had to wear his ID badge when he returned on January 4, 1999. On December 21, 1998, the Rutherford Institute made an attempt to help Mr. Hudok. They faxed school officials a proposal that he and any student who believed that the ID badge violated their religious beliefs be allowed to sign a religious exemption. The school board met on January 4th to discuss it.
On January 5th, Hudok was informed that the student exemption was not approved, but that he would be permitted to sign one, under the condition that he enforce the ID badge policy in his classroom. Teacher Hudok refused to enforce the policy and therefore did not sign the exemption.
"I was told that failure to do meant that I was suspended until a hearing for dismissal could be arranged,"[2] said Hudok.
The next day, Hudok went to school to teach his class as usual, despite the principal's warning. When the principal approached him, Hudok said that he told him that he was not going to sign the agreement and that school officials would have to have the police escort him out of the building if they did not like it. No further action was then taken.
As a side note, "Two days after the ID badge policy went into effect an episode even worse that 'papers please!' occurred. The WV State Police, Sheriffs Dept and Corrections Agency did a routine drug raid at Elkins HS. Many students were made to line up in the hallway with their hands on the wall as drug sniffing dogs inspected them and their belongings. several booksacks and articles of clothing were urinated on by the dogs. Not so much as an apology has ever been issued,"[2] said Hudok.
Law enforcement officials counter Hudok's claim, saying that the dogs they used were well trained. They allege that at no time did the dogs urinate on the students' belongings.
(c)1999 Allan B. Colombo
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