Austin ISD updates protest protocols for students, staff amidst TEA investigation

AUSTIN, Texas — Austin ISD has updated its protest protocols as the Texas Education Agency investigates the district’s recent anti-ICE walkouts.

The district says that, beginning Monday, on-campus walkouts within 300 feet of school buildings will be monitored by administrators and Austin ISD police. Administrators and staff will remain on campus if a walkout moves more than 300 feet from a school building, and local law enforcement will monitor students if walkouts go off-campus.

AISD also says that staff are not permitted to participate or endorse walkouts unless for safety or monitoring purposes.

ALSO | After the final bell, students marched to Kyle City Hall to protest ICE policies

It comes days after Gov. Abbott directed the TEA to investigate AISD’s walkouts.

“AISD gets taxpayer dollars to teach the subjects required by the state, not to help students skip school to protest,” Abbott wrote. “Our schools are for educating our children, not political indoctrination.”

Austin ISD’s full update message can be found here.