NEXT WEEK. BACK TO YOU. >> BREAKING NEWS LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS NOW REVEALING MORE THAN 2400 STUDENTS WERE INVOLVED IN PROTESTS THIS MONTH. THIS IS VIDEO FROM IDA BAKER HIGH SCHOOL IN CAPE CORAL WHERE STUDENTS WENT OUTSIDE TO PROTEST ICE. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SAID IT SUSPENDED 174 STUDENTS AND RECOMMENDED 11 STUDENTS BE REASSIGNED TO SUCCESS ACADEMY. AN ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTER MORE THA
Nearly 2,500 Lee County students disciplined for ICE protests
Updated: 5:41 PM EST Feb 26, 2026
Lee County schools disciplined 2,480 students for the walkout protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that took place Feb. 4-6.According to the district, students were identified for disruptive behaviors, which included skipping class or being late to class, safety violations and insubordination/disrespect. The numbers can be seen below:2,037 skipping class or tardy393 safety violations50 insubordination/disrespectThe students were disciplined based on the level of the offense and the behavioral history of a student, the district said. These resulted in the following actions:11 recommendations for reassignment to Success Academy134 out-of-school suspensions40 in-school suspensions 43 student conferences7 parent meetings208 other Level III interventions, including but not limited to:Behavior contractsExtra-curricular suspensionsLoss of privilegesRestitution2,037 warnings and/or zeroes on assignmentsSuperintendent Dr. Denise Carlin released this statement in the district’s news release:“The safety and security of our schools is our top priority. Ninety-six percent of our students adhered to the Student Code of Conduct by remaining in class and focused on their education during the protests. We are proud of the choice they made. We are also grateful to our students’ families for supporting the priorities of our school district and for reinforcing our behavioral expectations. Together, we can ensure a safe learning environment for all students.”Previous coverage:Students walk out of Cape Coral high schools in protest against ICE Lee County students protest ICE activity amid mixed reactions Lee County students suspended after ICE protest walkouts DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
LEE COUNTY, Fla. —
Lee County schools disciplined 2,480 students for the walkout protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that took place Feb. 4-6.
According to the district, students were identified for disruptive behaviors, which included skipping class or being late to class, safety violations and insubordination/disrespect. The numbers can be seen below:
2,037 skipping class or tardy393 safety violations50 insubordination/disrespect
The students were disciplined based on the level of the offense and the behavioral history of a student, the district said. These resulted in the following actions:
11 recommendations for reassignment to Success Academy134 out-of-school suspensions40 in-school suspensions 43 student conferences7 parent meetings208 other Level III interventions, including but not limited to:Behavior contractsExtra-curricular suspensionsLoss of privilegesRestitution2,037 warnings and/or zeroes on assignments
Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin released this statement in the district’s news release:
“The safety and security of our schools is our top priority. Ninety-six percent of our students adhered to the Student Code of Conduct by remaining in class and focused on their education during the protests. We are proud of the choice they made. We are also grateful to our students’ families for supporting the priorities of our school district and for reinforcing our behavioral expectations. Together, we can ensure a safe learning environment for all students.”
Previous coverage:
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.