Posted 2/2/07

BAKERSFIELD - A local junior high school student is suspended from school after writing "I Love Jesus" on his backpack.

His mother wants to know why.

His principal said it's not as simple as the boy and his mother say.

The buzz Friday at Actis Junior High School is about Justin Molatore, sent home after he refused to leave his backpack in the school's office.

Molatore said it's because of the principal, but the school won't budge.

Three words written by Molatore's brother on his backpack days before the brother was sent overseas in the military, they read "I Love Jesus."

But it's those words that are causing the eighth grader to miss two days of class.

"I can't change it because that's my religion, and I'm not scratching it out because I feel I shouldn't have to when other kids have gang affiliated stuff on their backpacks and they don't get in trouble for it," Molatore said.

The Panama Buena Vista District and the school share the same policy regarding handwriting on clothing and supplies.

"You're not supposed to write on any of your clothing or your backpacks," said Gabrielle Baker, student at Actis Junior High School.

Molatore said the writing is harmless and others have done the same and not been punished.

17 News saw at least one other student with writing on his backpack that read "Drillers," and had the letters "BHS."

"It just said, 'I Love Jesus,' and that's it," Christian Flores said, Molatore's friend, "and I don't think it's really fair that someone should get suspended for that."

Actis Principal Bill Galloway said all writing is prohibited so covert messages don't get through.

"They could be making a reference to drugs or gangs in a slang that we're not aware of so that's why we just keep it to the names," said Galloway.

Molatore's mother wouldn't talk on camera, but said she didn't understand why the policy would prevent a student from expressing their religion, and Molatore admitted he was warned numerous times.

He will be allowed back to school Monday but said he is unsure if he will have a new backpack by then.

The Bakersfield City School District said they do allow writing on clothing and supplies that is appropriate for school.