Students staged walkout; District 204 says it respected expression but discourages demonstrations during class

Student representatives told the Lyons Township High School District 204 board that more than 600 students from both North and South campuses participated in a walkout earlier in the day in protest of ICE.

"Earlier today, over 600 students from both campuses participated in a walkout in protest of ICE," student representatives Ria and Rohan McGally reported during the student representative segment.

The superintendent told the board the district monitored the demonstration throughout the afternoon and worked with La Grange and Western Springs police to support situational awareness and safety. "We certainly respect our students' constitutional rights to express their views," the superintendent said, adding that the district’s primary responsibility is maintaining a safe, structured and disruption-free learning environment. He also stated plainly, "we don't support walkouts or protests that occur during instructional time."

Why it matters: student actions that occur during school hours raise operational and safety questions for administrators and can prompt conversation about how districts balance student free-expression rights with instructional continuity. Board and staff said the demonstration remained peaceful and that communication and monitoring protocols were followed.

District response and next steps District leaders said their administrative team monitored the event and remained in contact with local law enforcement during and after the walkout to ensure student safety. The superintendent said counselors and staff continue to support students and that the district will remain in communication with families as needed. No disciplinary outcomes or formal policy changes were announced during the meeting.

The board will next meet March 16 for its regular action meeting, with details the administration said it will provide in advance.