Baltimore student suspended and police called on him for questioning missing American flags in classrooms

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: Outrage erupted online after a Baltimore County high school senior was suspended for raising a question grounded in state law. 

Parker Jensen, a senior at Towson High School, noticed that two of his classrooms lacked an American flag — a violation, he argued, of both the Maryland Education Code and local school board policy. 

When he pressed school officials for answers, he was met not with clarification but suspension. The incident has ignited public backlash, with many slamming the school for punishing a student who simply stood up for what’s legally required.

Patriotism has always been a big thing for Baltimore County high school senior Parker Jensen

In an interview with WBFF Fox45 Baltimore, Parker Jensen passionately expressed his patriotism, saying, "I'm joining the Marine Corps. Patriotism has always been a big thing in mind." 

About the lack of American flags in his classrooms, he said, "If you say the pledge of allegiance and there's no flag, you're just saying words that don’t mean anything." 

The issue dates back to February, when Jensen first approached his school’s vice principal about the missing flags. He was told the matter would be looked into. 

However, by March, no action had been taken. After following up with the same administrator and still seeing no results, Jensen escalated the matter. 

On March 28, he withdrew from class and went directly to the Baltimore County Board of Education building, hoping to speak with someone about the flag policy violations.

Project Baltimore’s Chris Papst asked Jensen, "What did you think was going to happen?" to which the high schooler responded, "I thought that someone would just come out, speak with me for five minutes, and then I'd be on my way." 

Parker Jense was suspended after asking about missing flags

Parker Jensen recorded the visit, which shows him entering the administrative building and speaking to the receptionist. "I’m looking to speak with a supervisor of some sorts that regulates Baltimore County Public Schools," he said. 

He waited in the reception area for nearly an hour while filming, at one point pointing out the building’s security cameras and saying, "I have a right to be here and recording. They are recording us, at all times."

No school official came out to speak with him. Instead, five police vehicles arrived in response to a trespassing complaint. "Three cop cars for a kid? Five cop cars?" Jensen can be heard questioning in the video.

Turning to one of the officers, he asked, "You don’t think that’s a waste of resources, sir?" The officer silently shook his head in disagreement.

Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) declined to speak with Fox45 News, citing privacy laws surrounding student records and disciplinary actions. However, in an emailed statement, BCPS confirmed that, as of April 1, American flags had been installed in the previously non-compliant classrooms at Towson High School.

While Jensen’s actions ultimately led to results, he wasn't around to witness the change firsthand. On the same day he visited the administrative building, BCPS suspended him for one week.

In his video, Richard Muth, the Emergency Manager for the Department of School Safety, is seen informing Jensen of his suspension. The reasons cited were "disruptive behavior," "refusing to cooperate with school rules," and "failure to follow a direction."

"I was very frustrated," Jensen said. “I feel like what they did was unlawful. You know, we have the right to record government employees in the course of their duties. It just shines a bad light."

"I believe what I was doing was lawful and I had a reason to be there. And the only reason why they would suspend me is because they know that they're on the wrong end of that," he added. 

Despite the suspension and a trespassing charge, Jensen remains committed to joining the US Marine Corps and is now taking legal action. He has hired an attorney to challenge both the disciplinary decision and the charge, arguing that the school system’s actions violated his constitutional rights.

Internet expresses frustration as Baltimore high schooler Parker Jensen faces suspension

As news spread about Baltimore student Parker Jensen’s suspension for standing up for school policies, netizens were quick to voice their outrage, flooding social media with frustration and criticism toward the school district's decision.

One slammed, "How do these school still receive state funding if they are violating a state law? Shouldn’t the administrators face consequences from the state AG?" and another said, "Anything Baltimore should be ashamed."

A person remarked, "I am 100% on this kid’s side, I just wonder if there’s not a few more pieces to the puzzle leading up to suspension," while someone else stated, "What a bunch on nonsense. I dont think @BaltCitySchools knows the trouble they are about to have."

"Hope he will win the case tho. This is ridiculous, specially in US," another comment read. A frustrated individual wrote, "All public schools should be ashamed of themselves and close immediately." 

One praised Jensen, writing, "Good for him for standing up for his rights. ♥️🇺🇸."

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