Debate Arises Over Reciting Pledge of Allegiance at Wayzata School Board Meetings

At a workshop on Monday, September 23rd, the Wayzata School Board discussed whether to recite or forgo the Pledge of Allegiance to start meetings.

The item came up as a result of Board member Valentina Eyres asking for the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited at the beginning of each School Board Meeting.

Chair Milind Sohoni stated via email for this article, “…we felt like it was important to start by providing Board members with background information at the September 23 Work Session. We are still determining next steps at this time.”

According to Amy Parnell, Director of Communications for Wayzata Public Schools, “The Wayzata School Board has not historically included the Pledge of Allegiance in their meetings.”

Removal of the Pledge of Allegiance in front of a public meeting can be controversial, as was revealed in a recent debate about the Pledge being recited at St. Louis Park City Council meetings. In that case, the City Council had been saying the pledge at the beginning of meetings, subsequently removed the pledge, sparking public backlash and a debate about being American, and then ultimately reinstated the pledge.

Origins of the Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance, first introduced by Francis Bellamy in 1892, has undergone several modifications over the years. Most notably, the phrase “under God” was added in 1954 during the Cold War under President Eisenhower, emphasizing the U.S. as a nation under divine guidance and contrasting it with the atheistic ideologies of communist countries. The practice of reciting the pledge spread nationwide after the Civil War and during significant immigration periods to promote unity, as was suggested in the St. Louis Park Star Tribune articles noted above.

Statute Mandates Pledge for Students

Minnesota state statute 121A.11 mandates that public and charter school students must recite the Pledge of Allegiance at least once a week. However, this requirement does not extend to school boards. While Wayzata School District policy allows students to opt out of the pledge, there is no similar mandate or exemption for board members.

Existing Policy for Students

Wayzata Public Schools already has Policy 531 in place based on Minnesota Statute 121A.11 addressing the Pledge of Allegiance:

I. Purpose:

The School Board recognizes the need to display an appropriate United States flag and to provide instruction to students in the proper etiquette, display, and respect of the flag. The purpose of this policy is to facilitate the recitation of the pledge and instruction in schools to help further that end.

II. General Statement of Policy

Students shall recite the pledge of allegiance one or more times a week. This recitation shall be conducted by each classroom teacher or a surrogate, or over a school intercom system by the principal or designee.

Anyone who does not wish to participate in reciting the pledge for personal reasons may elect not to do so. Students and school personnel must respect another person’s right to make that choice.

Students will also be instructed in proper etiquette toward, the correct display of, and respect for the flag.

Concerns About the Pledge

Milind Sohoni, Chair of the Wayzata School Board, discussed the pledge and shared research he found both in support of and against the board reciting it. Sohoni noted that opponents of the practice often express discomfort with the phrase “under God,” arguing that its inclusion in public settings endorses religion. “Some people feel that including a reference to God in a pledge resides in public settings is an endorsement of religion,” he said, reflecting concerns among those advocating for a strong separation of church and state.

Sohoni further pointed out that the refusal to recite the pledge has sometimes been used to question individuals’ patriotism, creating an environment where dissenting voices feel marginalized. “Some school boards reject the pledge of allegiance to promote inclusivity and respect for diverse beliefs and backgrounds,” he added.

Support for Reciting the Pledge

On the other hand, Sohoni indicated that those in favor of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at board meetings argue that it is a long-standing tradition that reflects national unity. They believe that since the pledge is recited in classrooms, it should also be part of board meetings for consistency.

Supporters assert that the phrase “under God,” while having religious connotations, is more ceremonial than theological and reflects the country’s historical roots rather than endorsing any specific religion. The pledge is recited by bodies such as the Wayzata City Council, the Plymouth City Council, the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA), The Minnesota Legislature, and the U.S. Congress.

Discussion

During the workshop, Board Member Sheila Prior stated, “Just to clarify, we’re only talking about the board, the school board saying it, we’re not talking about anything about students, correct?” Sohoni affirmed this, stating, “That is correct, the policy is already in place for… the schools…“

Prior sought a clarification regarding past discussions about exemptions for students reciting the pledge, asking, “And this is in reference to us taking it out of the consent agenda many months ago?”

Sohoni answered this was not in reference to a January 9th 2024 statutory pledge requirement for students, “Our board was not doing that [the Pledge of Allegiance] anyway… it is not part of the consent agenda.”

Board Member Valentina Eyres emphasized the unifying power of the Pledge of Allegiance, reflecting on her experience as an immigrant. “I was amazed how kids are bringing, ‘I’m an American.’ When they are saying it, they are proud to be an American,” she stated.

She underscored that the pledge serves as a commitment to the country, adding, “It unifies rather than divides. … We pledge to support all Americans.” Eyres urged the board to set an example, asking, “When we are as a board asking our students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, why don’t we show an example?”

Board Member Paras Bhende emphasized the importance of focusing on student results. “Is there any kind of trend, observation that we have seen which is impacting that outcome?” he asked. He further questioned, “Do we see any issues or concerns within Wayzata School District?“

In response, Sohoni remarked, “That’s a good question, but I have not focused on that. I am focusing only on the school board. As far as the schools are concerned, I believe we do not have a choice. It’s by statute that we are requiring them to have the Pledge of Allegiance.“

Next Steps

The discussion at the workshop revealed a range of opinions on both sides but concluded without a formal vote. The board may revisit the issue of beginning to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to begin meetings at a future meeting, and public input will continue to be a vital component of the ongoing discussion. Board Director Valentina Eyres requested that the Pledge of Allegiance be recited at Board meetings and

As of now, the Wayzata School Board remains undecided on whether the Pledge of Allegiance will be recited at its meetings, with broader questions of patriotism, religion, and inclusivity at the heart of the debate.

This story has been updated to include Board Member Eyres’ request for the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of School Board meetings, which led to the agenda item. A quote from Milind Sohoni with background information has also been added.