JCPS addresses school walkout planned in support of Florida shooting

A spokesperson for the Jefferson City Public School District has responded to reports of a possible walkout on March 14.

The walkout was scheduled after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on Feb. 14. The event is being organized by students and is intended to be a 17-minute display of solidarity.

A spokesperson for JCPS said the districts main priority is to maintain a safe and supportive environment for learning. While the students have a constitutional right for free speech, it also must occur within the context of not substantially disrupting the educational environment.

District officials said they believe their plan for handling the event will work to balance the desire for expression with the importance of safety for the students. Employees are expected to get additional details when the event gets closer.

As public government employees, JCPS employees can not participate in the walkouts, protests, demonstrations while fulfilling the professional roles as staff.

Officials do not believe there will be walkouts at the elementary level, although the district will be prepared if the students want to participate and elementary parents will have to sign students out.

The spokesperson believes the event will be affecting mostly middle and high school classes.