Lawmakers ask OSDE to investigate student walkouts over ICE enforcement

By John Dobberstein, Editor

A large contingent of state lawmakers is urging State Supt. of Public Instruction Lindel Fields to take “immediate action” about recent student walkouts at public schools to attend protest immigration enforcement.

Lawmakers who signed a letter to Fields — including State Sen. Christi Gillespie (R-Broken Arrow) and State Rep. Gabe Woolley (R-Broken Arrow) — said the protests have targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and law enforcement.

They also have, according to the signatories of the letter, disrupted instructional time at Hale High School, Edison Preparatory Academy, Booker T. Washington High School, Mustang Schools and Jenks Public Schools.

On Thursday, 62 students at the Broken Arrow Freshman Academy walked out early in the day to hold a protest at the corner of New Orleans Street and Elm Place and did not plan to return to school for the day. A throng of students was seen cheering and holding up placards at the corner of New Orleans Street and Elm Place.

Broken Arrow Public Schools spokeswoman Tara Thompson said since the students left without permission there could be consequences such as an absence or truancy. “The consequences will vary based on each individual student’s attendance and current placement,” Thompson said. “For example, missing a day of in-school suspension may result in an additional day of that type of discipline.”

A group of Broken Arrow High School students walked out during their lunch hour on Monday over the same protests with ICE.

Students at Union Public Schools also staged a protest Thursday over ICE operations and deportation tactics. Organizers told KOTV they were advocating for humane treatment of immigrants and “express our opposition to policies and actions that are unfair to our families and communities.”

The news station said organizers also encouraged students to return to class after the demonstration to show they were not just skipping class.

In a statement Thursday, the Oklahoma State Department of Education said it has been in contact with school leaders where the walkouts occurred, “and each situation is being handled with a calm sense of order that ensures student safety to the fullest extent possible.”

OSDE said local school boards may adopt policies that regulate on-campus freedom of expression, and districts may impose discipline or attendance punishments if students violate those policies.

“When it comes to activities happening off campus, parents also must be engaged in helping their student understand rights, limitations and responsible behaviors,” OSDE added. “At the end of the day, safety is our primary concern, even as students observe their right of expression.”

Breaking the Law?

Lawmakers stressed that taxpayer-funded schools, “must prioritize education, student safety, parental oversight and compliance with state law. Unexcused absences during school hours raise serious concerns about violations of compulsory attendance statutes and potential educator misconduct.”

Their concerns included possible breaches of Oklahoma’s compulsory attendance laws that mandate student presence unless properly excused. They are also concerned about potential violations of professional educator standards if teachers promoted, facilitated, or failed to address the walkouts, “possibly warranting certificate revocation” for willful violation of state law.

Disruption to the learning environment, removal of minors from supervision without parental consent, and, “erosion of respect for lawful authority,” was also cited.

The lawmakers asked Fields to investigate reports of educators who may have promoted or facilitated the walkouts and enforce strict disciplinary measures, including certificate revocation where violations are confirmed.

They also asked Fields for a “detailed summary of the investigations,” including the number of educators reviewed and any disciplinary outcomes.

The letter to Fields reads, in part, “Schools must remain focused on orderly learning and preparing students for the future — not serving as venues for political activism during class time. To read the letter, click here.

Senate Democratic Leaders Julia Kirt and Caucus Chair Michael Brooks, both from Oklahoma City, said students in Oklahoma have First Amendment rights.

“I trust our educators that are managing the disruption and fear caused by ICE enforcement actions. Once again, we see selective outrage from Republicans as they cherry-pick issues happening in our public schools,” Kirt said in a statement. “I’m outraged that students miss school because of domestic violence, untreated mental illness, or needing to work to help their family keep up with the cost of living.

“As elected officials — and leaders of this state — we should not blame students and start investigations into our teachers. We should applaud young people for exercising their rights as Americans and start real problem solving.”

“I am concerned about a version of Oklahoma that is trying to silence our young people,” Brooks said. “They have participated in protests going back to the revolutionary war and were an integral part in important progress during the Civil Rights Movement, including the groundbreaking Katz Drug Store sit-ins in Oklahoma City. Their courage and voices helped secure the rights of millions of fellow Americans.”

‘Radical leftist’ activism

The Oklahoma Freedom Caucus implored Fields to, “stop the lawlessness in our schools and take aggressive action against the radical leftist political activism disrupting Oklahoma classrooms.”

They called on Fields to revoke teaching certificates for any educator found to be promoting, facilitating or encouraging the walkouts, as well as to enforce compulsory attendance and show “zero tolerance for indoctrination.”

“We do not need ‘collaboration’ or ‘dialogue’ regarding teachers who incite chaos; we need them removed from the classroom,” said the OKFC in a statement. “Superintendent Fields must do his job: investigate these districts, identify the rogue employees, and strip them of their credentials. Oklahoma students are supposed to receive an education, not leftist indoctrination.”