I have worked as an educator within public schools for 24 years and unfortunately have witnessed the evolution of school safety that has occurred due to the violence and murder of our children. After each destructive episode, we gathered the school people and first responders to review our processes and procedures to ensure our protocols are updated. Many school communities have conducted forums on school safety and we will do the same. We will be providing our community with a communication forum on school safety in order to let them know what we’ve done and how will continue to improve. That meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. on March 21st in the High School Auditorium.

The most recent school tragedy that occurred on February 14, 2018 in Parkland, FL, feels different from the others. Perhaps we are at a societal tipping point or a group of students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have empowered other students because they’ve been so inspirational in the face of this horrific tragedy.  The Parkland incident has inspired many students across the Nation to take a stand or weigh in on school safety, mental health supports and gun control. School districts across the Nation are handling this situation in various ways.

The issue of student protests is a legal one and the Federal and Supreme courts have provided rulings on the First Amendment Rights of students (see Tinker v. Des Moines). In order to be clear with our parents and community, I wanted to provide you with some information.

1. While some districts have taken an active role in organizing a protest or walkout for their students, our school district has elected a different approach. We believe that supporting or facilitating a walkout would create a forum for such activities and while many are supportive of the basic tenets that have led to this National movement, the potential exists for other issues to surface that may be more controversial or divisive. We believe that if the school district would support one cause, it would be forced to take a definitive position or create a forum for others. As a result, we have elected to support our students’ Constitutional Rights–the rights of those who choose to participate and those that choose not to participate. ALL students will be supervised and kept safe.
2. Students have constitutional rights and are permitted to exercise them so long as they do not interfere with school activities, or make a disturbance. We will support their constitutional rights.
3. The administration has spoken with several students regarding walkout intentions. If students are unclear as to what the district’s and building principal’s position is, we encourage them to schedule an appointment and work with their building principal in order to gain clarity on the expectations. We want to support our students.
4. Our understanding is that the high school students are looking to organize on a date in April due to the anniversary of the Columbine Tragedy. Some middle school students are discussing a walkout on March 14.
5. With the assistance of our safety forces, the building administration and staff will be prepared for any walkout/protest that might occur in the interior or exterior of the building. Student safety is our number one priority.
6. The district is not encouraging a walkout and at the same time we are not permitted to prevent one should the students decide to engage in one.  We are listening to students and if they decide to exercise their Constitutional Rights at school, our job will be to keep them safe and maintain order. Any student walkout will not be open to the public or the news media.
7. So long as students are not making a disturbance, being disorderly or behaving inappropriately, students will not be disciplined. Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds. Simply put, those that do will be in trouble.
8. Should a student walkout/protest occur, we will keep students safe and they will be escorted back into the building after it concludes (if they choose to walk outside).
9. While the administration cannot physically prevent a walkout or protest from occurring, they have the discretion to determine when it is disruptive and if it interferes with the instructional environment.

Over the course of the past week I’ve spoken to parents who have been outspoken of my position on this issue. There are those that wish we would do more and those that would like us to do less. My approach is a moderate one and one with an emphasis on keeping students safe and maintaining an orderly instructional environment.

Never before have I seen young people this impacted and aware. Our students care and they want a voice in this matter. While there are structures that I must adhere to, I feel a duty to support them and to listen. As a school community we will continue to explore ways to make our learning environments safer and support the mental health needs of our kids.

Thanks for your consideration.

Dr. Jim Lloyd, Superintendent for the Olmsted Falls City School District