Alpine School District schools are committed to providing students with excellent learning experiences. Recently, student-led walkouts have raised concerns about student safety and learning.
Students from several schools have participated in walkouts, and it appears that this trend may continue. These walkouts are not school-sponsored, organized, or endorsed in any way.
We have received the following guidance from the Utah State Board of Education, which is consistent with how we have handled walkouts recently.
The Utah State Board of Education is aware of recent student walkouts and demonstrations occurring in several communities across our state. We recognize that situations like these can present complex challenges as you work to support student safety, honor parental and student rights, and maintain orderly learning environments. Regular school attendance is fundamental to student learning, and preserving an environment that allows instruction to proceed without disruption remains a shared priority across our public schools.
In response to questions from LEA leaders, parents, and community members, we are providing the following reminder to assist you in navigating these circumstances.
Utah Code 53E-2-201 affirms that parents hold the primary right and responsibility to direct their child’s education. Utah Code 53G-6-201(13)(a) defines what constitutes a valid excuse for a student absence.
For students who leave the school campus without prior parental authorization, LEAs should continue to follow their established attendance and disciplinary policies in a consistent, content-neutral manner. Maintaining consistent expectations around attendance helps protect instructional time and supports a stable learning environment for all students.
While students retain constitutional rights to individual expression, schools also have the responsibility to maintain safe, orderly, and disruption-free environments for all students. Any disciplinary actions should align with what has been established in local student discipline policies for comparable matters.
Alpine School District’s guidance to schools is aligned with the USBE guidance above. Last week, prior to additional discussion and the USBE statement, we provided initial guidelines with our secondary administrators:
Designate an area on campus where students may congregate and be supervised by administrators. Above all, keep the students safe.
Teachers should stay in the classroom with remaining students. They should continue to teach, if possible.
Mark attendance as normal and allow parents to excuse any absence marked.
Be respectful of all students and their points of view.
These issues raise passions and interest for some of our students, and we will use these events as opportunities to learn about citizenship, critical thinking, and communication.
We care about our students and our partnership with their parents. Our school leaders will continue to strive to make schools safe spaces where students can freely debate ideas, and where we can help all students achieve our Vision for Learning.