Kansas School Board Policy Must Respect Parental Authority to Safeguard Students During Walkout Protests

In recent years, K–12 students have increasingly participated in protests both on and off school property. While civic engagement is often encouraged, schools must not overlook the authority and rights of parents. School boards should ensure policies are in place that protect students while respecting parental involvement.

Students attend school to learn the fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Yet many schools are now dealing with organized protests and walkouts that disrupt learning and create potential safety risks. Without clear policies and consequences, these events can undermine the educational environment. Sound school board policy can provide guidance that protects students while maintaining order.

Parents consistently identify safety as their top priority. Schools address many known hazards on campus, but off-campus activities typically require parental permission through signed consent forms. This protects both students and schools. However, when students leave class or school property to participate in protests without parental knowledge, families are often caught off guard and concerned for their children’s safety.

Recent incidents across the country, and here in Kansas, highlight these concerns. In some cases, students have organized protests during school hours with little supervision. In Nebraska, one student was injured after being struck by a vehicle during a protest. In Kansas, a student from Olathe was injured during a protest. According to reports, the student’s father said his son was bruised after being struck with a flagpole before being chased by several students. One of the students involved has been charged with aggravated battery. Situations like these demonstrate the need for clearer policies and accountability.

School boards already establish policies for student conduct, discipline, and supervision during school activities. Similar guidance should apply when student protests or walkouts occur. Courts have also recognized that student speech may be limited when it substantially disrupts school operations or interferes with the educational mission of schools.

Students are minors, and parents ultimately retain responsibility for their children. School policies should reflect that reality. By prioritizing parental authority, student safety, and classroom learning, school boards can restore trust and ensure schools remain focused on their primary mission: educating students.

While I support addressing these policies at the local level, Kansas legislators are also responding to recent student walkout protests. An amendment introduced by State Senator Michael Murphy would allow the Kansas State Board of Education to review complaints and determine whether a district violated rules regarding parental permission during student walkouts.

Under the amendment, a district could face penalties if it:

• Fails to obtain written parental permission for students who leave school to participate in a protest
• Does not enforce attendance policies or discipline students who skip class
• Has staff members who encourage or assist in organizing the walkout

If the Kansas State Board of Education determines the district violated these rules, the district could be required to pay a financial penalty equal to the superintendent’s base salary for each day the walkout occurs. For example, if a superintendent earns $150,000 per year, the district could owe $150,000 for each day a walkout occurs. Any day with a student walkout would also not count as an official instructional school day.

Although local control is ideal, I support this legislative amendment because student safety must remain the top priority. Parents have the right to be notified and to decide whether their minor child has permission to participate in such activities.

Student safety and student achievement must always come first. Policies that respect parental authority and maintain a safe learning environment help ensure schools remain focused on their most important mission which is educating Kansas students.