By Chris Papst | Fox 25 News
Towson, Md. (WBFF) — It’s a story that grabbed national attention – a Maryland student, and prospective U.S. Marine, suspended while asking why classrooms in his high school did not contain American flags.
Project Baltimore first spoke with Parker Jensen in April. Soon after, he sued Baltimore County Public Schools. And now, that lawsuit has been settled.
It was just last month when Project Baltimore broke the news that Jensen, a Marine hopeful, was suspended from school for seven days, after he went to Baltimore County Public Schools headquarters to ask why some classrooms at Towson High were missing American flags. According to state law and BCPS school board policy, all classrooms must contain the flag.
As a result of that suspension, Jensen was barred from attending his prom and his own high school graduation.
After Project Baltimore first interviewed Jensen, he hired an attorney and sued BCPS, claiming the district violated his constitutional rights by suspending him without cause. Now, just weeks later, Jensen and Baltimore County Public Schools say they have reached a settlement agreement.
“That was fast,” stated Project Baltimore’s Chris Papst.
“Yeah,” agreed Jensen.
“Settlements don’t usually happen in weeks,” Papst acknowledged.
Jensen, told Project Baltimore as part of the settlement, he cannot disclose the monetary amount he received. BCPS also asked him to sign a non-disparagement agreement – prohibiting him from saying anything negative about BCPS for two years.
“I’m assuming you’re happy with the settlement amount,” said Papst.
“Yeah. Yeah. I’m very happy. I think it’s fair for both parties, as well,” Jensen responded.
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for the 18-year-old.
After Project Baltimore told his story, it went viral, with national news outlets, such Fox News and the New York Post, picking it up. One post on the social media platform X, got 1.3 million views.