By April Hill
Eight schools in the Tulsa have either held, or have planned, protests involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Trump administration.
Earlier this week, a group of Oklahoma lawmakers asked State Superintendent Lindel Fields to investigate these student walkouts.
On Friday, Superintendent Fields and Oklahoma Secretary of Education Dr. Dan Hamlin released a joint statement.
Read the full statement below:
“Over the past two weeks, students in several of Oklahoma’s school districts have participated in walk-outs to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement. While we are continuing to monitor the situation closely, we have not yet found evidence that any of these demonstrations were organized or endorsed by a school district.
We urge locally elected school boards and district leaders to continue to follow procedures consistent with state and federal law. Our state’s public schools are legally obligated to respect students’ constitutional rights to free speech while also maintaining safe and orderly learning environments for all students. Student safety must always remain a top priority, and school attendance is essential. Learning happens when students are present and engaged in the classroom. Students who leave campus without following established school procedures should receive disciplinary action in accordance with locally adopted district policies.
We recognize that many educators across the state have worked to maintain safe and orderly school campuses during this time. Educators present during on-campus demonstrations are expected to ensure safety and order and not to participate in political advocacy. Educators found to be engaged in protests during school hours or who have violated their district’s code of conduct are subject to disciplinary consequences.
One of the core functions of Oklahoma’s public schools is to educate the next generation of citizens. Parents, guardians and community members are also encouraged to model respectful civil discourse. By working together, Oklahoma’s public schools will be places where students learn about both their freedoms and personal responsibility.”
