Despite the national debate, Nemeths timing was only coincidental, he said Thursday. Students in the district are not required to stand during the anthem, he said; what Nemeth was trying to do was respond to a disruptive incident involving students.
There was a volleyball game at Lely the night before Principal Nemeth recorded the message, Turchetta said. There was probably 20 kids that were being kids that were being a little loud during the National anthem at that game, so his message the next day was in response to what had happened the night before.
The incident at the volleyball game was not a protest, Turchetta said. Collier County schools does not have that problem and principals do not scrutinize over how students exercise their freedoms, he said.
In Collier County, we do not have a problem with national anthem protests. We do not have principals that are patrolling, looking for things. It hasnt been an issue, Turchetta said. Obviously, students have rights to express their freedoms. It really comes back to the issue of disruption.
Nemeth acknowledges that using the word stand was especially controversial, Turchetta said, but his goal was to curb disruptive behavior that violates school policies.
His message was a little too strong. His word choices could have been better and he acknowledges that, Turchetta said.
The principal returned to his students Thursday to address the televised announcement and its intent.
