AUSTIN, Texas — Attorney General Ken Paxton has demanded information about policies, security protocols and internal communications at Austin Independent School District (AISD) as he launches an investigation into student walkouts that occurred Friday.
On Jan. 30, people across the U.S. participated in anti-immigration enforcement protests by marching, closing businesses and walking out of work and school. Students from 14 AISD campuses left their classrooms as part of this “national shutdown.” Some remained on campus for the protests, while others walked to the Texas Capitol.
Paxton claims that “district officials knowingly allowed students to leave campus during the school day to participate in protests against lawful immigration enforcement activities.”
He also alleges that some AISD officials helped students walk off campus, “trying to impose their radical political agenda on the next generation” with tax dollars.
“Parents expect our public schools to educate and keep their kids safe during the school day, not encourage them to attend a protest field trip designed to villainize brave law enforcement officials protecting our country,” Paxton said in a statement.
AISD superintendent Matias Segura wrote a community letter the day of the protests stating that the walkouts were “not sponsored or endorsed” by the district. He also said AISD staff cannot physically stop a student from deciding to leave campus, and leaving campus for a protest is considered an unexcused absence.
According to the letter, the district always wants students in class during school hours, and administrators and AISD police stay with students during school-hour protests.
“That being said, our ability to ensure student safety is limited when they attend non-school-sanctioned events,” Segura wrote. “For this reason, we encourage families to talk with their children about the family’s expectations during these types of events.”