FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Fresno Unified School District taking action after a student walkout and protest at Hamiliton K-12 School raised concerns about student safety.
In a statement released Thursday, FUSD Superintendent Misty Her released a video statement, saying that the district is aware of the walkout and are dissappointed that some students chose to behanve in a way that does not reflect the school distict’s values.
District leaders emphasize they are proud of the majority of students who have protested respectfully across Fresno County.
Her is making it clear that student walkouts are not endorsed or sponsored by the district.
Still, she said the safety of students remains the district’s top priority.
“We recognize and respect the important role protests play in our society,” Her says, noting California law supports student civic engagement.
However, she stressed that the district is deeply concerned when students leave campus and protests move into public streets.
District and school staff have been monitoring walkouts and staying alongside students to help keep them safe, directing them to remain on sidewalks and obey traffic laws.
FUSD Superintendent Misty Her addresses Hamilton K-12 School ICE walkout. (Video: Fresno Unified School District)
However Her says growing safety concerns mean it is no longer safe for students to protest in the street.
Because of that, the superintendent is urging parents and guardians to talk with their children and encourage them to remain on campus.
Fresno Unified says it is committed to providing designated, safe spaces on school grounds where students can express their opinions and be heard.
The district says students are not disciplined for peaceful protests, but signs containing profanity are not allowed.
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Fresno Unified also reminded families that under California Education Code, students must give advance notice to their school if they plan to participate in a walkout for their absence to not be marked unexcused.
Her also shared that she met with students representing each Fresno Unified high school and is working with them to create more meaningful and constructive opportunities for civic engagement.
The statement comes as student walkouts tied to protests over recent ICE raids spread across several Fresno County schools this week.
Students walked out at Kerman High, Hoover High, Washington High, and Firebaugh High on Monday.
Video from Firebaugh High showed about 50 students leaving campus carrying signs.
At Hoover High, students were seen walking toward Fashion Fair Mall, while about 50 students from Washington High were seen walking all the way to downtown Fresno.
In Kerman, roughly 200 students reportedly left campus and stopped near a Walmart Supercenter.
Fresno Unified officials say staff and authorities closely monitored the walkouts to ensure students remained safe.
District leaders say their biggest concern is the possibility of a student being injured while walking outside of school grounds, especially near busy streets.
Fresno Unified continues to ask for cooperation from families as it balances student expression with safety concerns.