Schools Should Be Protest-Free Zones

Recently, high school students at both McIntosh High School and Fayette County High School walked out of school to express their feelings about the activities of immigration and customer enforcement or ICE. I welcome all sides of the debate to share and express their views; however, the choice of venue is troubling as school, the adult workplace, and church should be a political free zone.

Some will disagree with this position as students have a first amendment right to express themselves under the constitution. However, the Supreme Court found in Tinker v Des Moines ruled that schools can limit conduct that materially and substantially interferes with the operation of the school.

Given that many opinions vary on any political issue, who decides what will be a material or substantial interference? I am certain that the students who walked out and their mentors/supporters would argue any disruption was minor. However, what is the standard?

I would argue that if even one student was distracted from class by some fifty students leaving or coming back to already in progress classes, it is material. We hear so much about students with ADD or ADHD, how did they handle this action? What about those with learning disabilities?

When fifty students and some adults are chanting “no justice, no peace” outside a school while in session, is it at all reasonable that no student was disturbed or distracted? If even one teacher has additional work to help protestors with missing class, who compensates the teacher for their time?

My point here is that while the protestors will receive no penalty, others paid a price. In the workplace, they would be terminated, but given privacy standards, any penalty will be shielded from the public view , thus not a deterrent to others.

Next, we should ask what is the next domino to fall? While some seem to welcome a counter protest supporting ICE, it may not be so clean. What if a group of students decide to hold a “deport every last one” walk out rally? Would the Principal stand calmly outside her school for such a rally? Would the students in question receive a tardy? Or would they face further discipline for their topic or speech? 

Pandora’s Box has been opened, and we cannot anticipate what is next. There cannot be a limit as to topic without saying this rally was “approved.”  So, what is next? Pro Abortion/ Pro Life? Anti – Semitic Pro Palestine rallies like we see at certain universities? Why would we want this in our schools?

As someone who has done political organizing, I suspect it is to help be a force multiplier. Students are already there. If the students had decided to meet and wave their signs at 54/74, only the dedicated few would come as there is always other things to do. If they blocked the entrance to Trader Joe’s, those four police officers would be there for them in a different way.

Lastly, as the husband of a high school teacher, I have heard the stories of bad behavior and questionable decisions driven by immaturity and hormones. Given that the passions of politics as added ingredient, what safety issues do we create? Do some seek to settle political scores in different ways? What disruptions do we invite that fail the “material disruption” test?

As I said in the beginning of this column, I welcome these young people to the political discussion whether I agree with them or not. I have spoken regarding the ESPLOSTS before both Your Republicans and Young Democrats before school started but only to educate, not encourage activity.

Schools are paid for by the public and should be politic free zone during the school day.