None of these topics were on the agenda, except for a resolution that would update the mask policy. But the concerns raised reflected national conversations about racial awareness and free speech in the education system.

Before the main business of the meeting, Brenda Hiniker voiced her concerns about Critical Race Theory. She said it was another form of discrimination.

“The critical breed theory is very misleading,” she said. “He speaks of fairness instead of equality. Equality is defined and supported by the Declaration of Independence, defended during the Civil War, supported by the 14th and 15th Amendments, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 … The CRT backwardly discriminates against the white population. ”

Hiniker also criticized the board for its April 27 decision on the “government speech”. At that time, the board passed a resolution designating several statements, such as “Black Lives Matter” and “Stop Asian Hate” as government protected speech.

The resolution said, in part, “We believe in the importance of sharing a general message of acceptance and inclusion of historically underserved / marginalized people, which is in line with the district’s legal obligation to provide a supportive environment. work and education free from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation and other legally protected classes. “

Wes Lund has stepped onto the podium with a number of Dr Seuss books, apparently referencing the decision by the author’s legacy-preserving company to cease publishing six titles due to racist and callous images .

Lund spoke after the allotted time about what he described as a hostile environment for anyone who does not adhere to a particular set of beliefs.

“I look through our community, through this room, and I see a huge polarization,” he said. “Students and teachers, parents and community members are afraid to voice their true opinions in our schools for fear of dropped grades, threats to job security and reprisals against their students and businesses . A singular social political narrative is pushed, and anyone who dares to question it or speak out against it is attacked and demonized. ”

He also scoffed at the hiring of Acting District Superintendent Kent Pekel.

Julie Kisgen-Reed addresses the Rochester Public Schools School Board after the conclusion of public comments during a meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at the Edison Administration Building in the school district in Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / [email protected])

“Does everyone in the room realize that we have ‘deep state’ characters here in the room?” Lund asked the crowd, referring to Pekel’s work with the Central Intelligence Agency. earlier in his career. ”I don’t think everyone knows that, because when you hired this guy, you did it in a Zoom meeting. You should have asked the audience to check this character out to find out who exactly he is. “

Board chair Jean Marvin hit her hammer in protest against Julie Kisgen-Reed, who came out after the public comment period closed. Kisgen-Reed passionately spoke out against using the mask, although most of his initial comments were hard to hear as the commotion in the room mounted.

The crowd didn’t stop there.

Jean Marvin, chairman of the Rochester Public Schools School Board, speaks during a meeting Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at the Edison Administration Building in the school district in Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / [email protected])

When Marvin introduced the meeting, someone in the crowd suggested that the board begin with the pledge of allegiance. The crowd of at least 50 then recited the pledge itself, followed by a round of applause.

As the crowd started to leave the hall at the end of the meeting, someone suggested that they say the Our Father. Many of them did, some with their arms raised in the air.

Neither Pekel nor the board responded to audience members during the meeting, but they provided comments afterwards.

Pekel and Marvin said many of the implications expressed were incorrect. For example, the two made it clear that Rochester Public Schools do not teach Critical Race Theory.

“This kind of misinformation is really disheartening,” Marvin said.

Members of the public attend a Rochester Public Schools School Board meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at the Edison Administration Building in the school district in Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / [email protected])

A speaker who preferred to be identified as a private citizen gestures towards the applauding audience after speaking at a Rochester Public Schools School Board meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at the Edison Administration Building in the school district in Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / [email protected])

Members of the public applaud and wave signs during a Rochester Public Schools School Board meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at the Edison Administration Building in the school district in Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / [email protected])

One speaker who preferred to be identified as an ordinary citizen reads from a piece of paper inside a copy of Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat” with a blanket of Land O low fat cottage cheese ‘Lakes glued to the back during an audience at Rochester Schools School Board Meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at the Edison Administration Building in the school district in Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / [email protected])

Tom Blondell helps hand out chairs as the room begins to fill up ahead of a Rochester Public Schools Board meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at the Edison Administration Building in the school district in Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / [email protected])

Rochester Public Schools Acting Superintendent Kent Pekel attends a school board meeting on Tuesday July 13, 2021 at the Edison Administration Building in the school district in Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / [email protected])

Members of the public gather ahead of a Rochester Public Schools School Board meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at the Edison Administration Building in the school district in Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / [email protected])

Carl-Eric Gentes, associate pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, speaks in support of Critical Race Theory at a Rochester Public Schools School Board meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at the Edison Administration Building in Rochester School District. (Joe Ahlquist / [email protected])

Members of the public applaud and wave signs during a Rochester Public Schools School Board meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at the Edison Administration Building in the school district in Rochester. (Joe Ahlquist / [email protected])