District responds to Century High School AD's anthem directive

Rochester Public Schools has clarified its anthem and pledge protocols with all of its activities directors following a recent event in which Century High School AD Mark Kuisle demanded that students stand for the national anthem, a violation of the students’ First Amendment rights.

“When we play the national anthem, you are to stand, remain silent, or sing the national anthem with us,” Kuisle said during an August 30 pepfest event. “It is an opportunity to remember, honor those veterans who have helped us protect our country, served our country, and kept our freedoms for what they are today. So, please, it’s very important that [when] we do a national anthem that you are very respectful, you stand — if you want to sing, great. If you don’t, just stand and be quiet — and that’s fine, as well.”

The instructions from Kuisle run counter to guidance from the Minnesota State High School League, which Kuisle is governed by. The MSHSL policy states that "sitting or kneeling during the National Anthem is a protected First Amendment right, and we cannot disallow an athlete or any other persons from sitting or kneeling during the Anthem."

In a statement, interim Superintendent Kent Pekel said while he personally chooses to stand for the anthem, he does “respect and understand” the decision by some students and staff to sit or kneel during the anthem.

Here is Pekel’s statement in full:

I hope that the students in Rochester Public Schools will choose to stand for the national anthem when it is played at school assemblies and competitions and performances and other events. I personally choose to stand for that anthem because I believe that despite the failures of our nation's troubled past,  our country is, on the whole, a force for good in the lives of its people and the people of the world. 

 That said, I also deeply respect and understand the decision that some of our students and our staff members might make to sit or kneel during the national anthem due to the injustices of our past and our present. 

 In a nation that was founded by revolutionaries, nothing could be more American than respectfully protesting what citizens believe to be unjust. I encourage our students to stand up or sit down for what they believe in at this important moment and for the rest of their lives.

Kuisle did not respond to a request for comment.

Cover photo: screenshot via YouTube