Paxton, who is also investigating Dallas ISD and Northeast ISD in San Antonio, said the districts had “taken little to no action to ensure the safety of students.”
Manor ISD, however, insists it followed standard protocol related to walkouts.
The district “is confident the review will show that staff followed district procedures and Texas Education Agency guidance, including ensuring attendance guidelines were followed and keeping student safety as the top priority during the days the walkouts occurred,” Superintendent Robert Sormani said.
“Let this serve as a warning to any public school official or employee who unlawfully facilitates student participation in protests targeting our heroic law enforcement officers: my office will use every legal tool available to hold you accountable,” Paxton said in a statement.
Paxton is demanding information on the districts’ policies on excused absences, security protocols and internal communications related to the protests.
Paxton demanded the same information from Austin ISD two weeks ago. However, Paxton at the time did not clarify whether his inquiry into AISD was a formal investigation.
In that letter, district counsel Kenneth M. Walker II said that “Texas law does not contemplate using any degree of force to compel school attendance.”
Students in Manor ISD were among thousands around the Austin area and in Central Texas who have walked out in recent weeks to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement practices.
As the walkouts have continued, leaders in some districts have pleaded with students to remain in class and voice their concerns in ways that don’t involve walking out.
Hays CISD Superintendent Eric Wright, in a Feb. 3 letter, asked students to stay in class.