As you may already know, many school districts across our region have recently experienced student protests, including walkouts that have led students to choose to leave campuses during the school day. Marysville School District is no exception to this trend: three schools in our district have already experienced student walkouts, and our staff are aware of two more schools where students are organizing potential walkouts next week.
To be clear: these walkouts have not been organized by, encouraged, or approved by Marysville School District, its schools, nor its staff.
The School’s Role
The school district does not take a position on the issues that may motivate student expression. Our role is to encourage students to stay in class, ensure that instruction continues for those who remain, and keep campus operations safe and orderly for everyone. When district staff become aware of potential walkouts, we also communicate with relevant community partners, such as the Marysville Police Department, to monitor student safety if students decide to leave campus.
If students decide to leave MSD property or programs, instruction will continue as usual. Students whose absences do not meet the “excused” criteria will be marked “unexcused” in alignment with district policy. Unexcused absences result in additional communication and coordination with the affected student's parent or guardian and can limit a student’s ability to participate in extracurricular activities or affect their coursework.
The Family Role
Partnerships with parents and guardians are a core component of student success. As a public school district, we serve all families in our community, regardless of personal views and beliefs. There are many ways for students to express their beliefs outside of the school day, and we encourage families to speak to their students about what that could look like in accordance with their values, as well as to review attendance expectations together.
The Law
Students’ ability to exercise their First Amendment rights is protected by federal and state laws, as well as district policy. Our staff are also prohibited from using physical restraint or force to prevent students from leaving campus or exercising their rights.
However, the district will intervene if behavior becomes unsafe or substantially disrupts learning. This includes responding to actions involving threats, harassment, vandalism, fighting, or other conduct that interferes with the well-being of students or staff on our campuses.
While there is no perfect answer to situations like this, we remain grateful for your continued partnership in support of student learning.
Thank you.