Students, teachers and union representatives urge district to avoid suspending protesters
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Summary
Public commenters at the Marana Unified School District board meeting said students who organized a recent walkout should not face out‑of‑school suspensions, raised concerns about long‑term impacts on seniors, and urged the board to weigh First Amendment protections before disciplining participants.
Public commenters at Tuesday’s Marana Unified School District governing board meeting asked trustees not to impose out‑of‑school suspensions on students who participated in a recent school protest.
Sandy Falk, a special education instructional coach and past president of the Marana Education Association, told the board that educators are stretched thin and urged trustees to consider how staffing decisions and policies affect inclusive classrooms and supports for students with disabilities. “When we invest in educators, we invest in students,” Falk said, asking that educator voices continue to be included in decision making.
Two speakers who identified themselves as directly connected to student protesters urged leniency. Marie Ogg said she was “disappointed that students who participated in a protest earlier this week are facing suspension,” asked the board not to punish civic participation and suggested parental permission should not determine the disciplinary response. “Please do not punish these kids,” Ogg said.
A Mountain View High School student, Amin Abdul Jawad, described being warned that participants would receive out‑of‑school suspension and said such penalties can carry long‑term consequences for seniors preparing for college. “An out of school suspension could change our life,” he said, adding that disciplinary steps for walkouts do not match the typical consequences for truancy. Jawad referenced the U.S. Supreme Court precedent Tinker v. Des Moines as a legal framework that limits schools’ ability to discipline students for protected expressive conduct.
Board members did not take any disciplinary action during the meeting. The public comments came before the board proceeded to other agenda items, including budget and policy votes.
The district did not provide an immediate response to the students’ legal arguments during the meeting. Trustees thanked speakers for participating in public comment and moved on to the posted agenda.