Garfield PTSA can't bar military recruiters

Military recruiters have a legal right to talk to students on high-school campuses.

That was the response yesterday from the Seattle School District in answer to a recent Garfield High School PTSA resolution demanding the removal of military recruiters from high schools.

Amy Hagopian, Garfield PTSA co-chair, did not dispute the district's legal analysis. She said a wealthier district should seek to challenge the policy in court, but "Seattle is too financially strapped to justify that kind of action."

Garfield is the first PTSA board in the state to pass a resolution banning military recruiters, who are currently allowed on campus.

The resolution states: "Whether it is because of a desire to protect young students from the life-and-death decision that military service presents, objection to the current war in Iraq, fear that recruiters may not present a realistic picture of military life or disagreement with policies that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, we do agree that public schools are not a place for military recruiters."

Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, school districts are required to release the names and contact information of all high-school students to recruiters.

"This is a very challenging and sensitive topic," said Patti Spencer, spokeswoman for the Seattle School District. "At the same time, we are required by federal law to provide equal access."

Whatever the practical outcome of the Garfield resolution, Hagopian said Thursday's board vote held symbolic importance.

"Our most painful conversations this year have been about what to cut. We're cutting while the military is expanding," she said.

"It's just pathetic."

Alex Fryer: 206-464-8124 or afryer@seattletimes.com