EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was edited to remove an Angevine Middle School student’s account of the incident, including comments attributed to Karen Smith, after the student admitted she didn’t hear or see anything directly.

A Lafayette middle school teacher is on paid leave pending the outcome of a police investigation into allegations that she assaulted a student who refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance on Thursday.

Boulder Valley School District spokesman Randy Barber said that Angevine Middle School physical education teacher Karen Smith, who he called a 20-year veteran of the school district, is on paid administrative leave.

Smith couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

Lafayette police Cmdr. Brian Rosipajla confirmed that officers responded to the school, 1150 W. South Boulder Road, at about noon and are investigating a report of a teacher assaulting a child for refusing to stand for the pledge.

Barber said that it’s the practice of the Boulder Valley School District to allow students to sit or stand during the pledge. He added that he was neither confirming nor denying that the incident happened.

Barber said that the school district is working with the Lafayette Police Department to investigate the matter but declined to comment further because the investigation is ongoing and concerns a “personnel matter.”

Rosipajla said the investigation is ongoing and didn’t have any further information on Thursday.

The school district on Thursday evening sent out a letter attributed to the school’s principal and two assistant principals informing parents that a substitute teacher would be filling in for Smith while the incident is being investigated.

“We are dedicated, as always, to supporting our students and ensuring that we have qualified educators working with them during their physical education time,” the letter stated.

John Bear: 303-473-1355, bearj@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/johnbearwithme