Kingston board refers proposed code-of-conduct change after string of student walkouts over ICE concerns

Scores of parents and students pressed the Board of Education of the KINGSTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT on student protests and immigration-enforcement activity during public comment, and trustees moved a proposed change to the district code of conduct into committee for further work.

Student and parent voices dominated the evening. Dylan Paul, a parent of a Kingston High junior, praised students who walked out in protest and criticized what he described as threats of punishment: "you will be punished with 3 days of ISS," he said, urging the district to invite students into dialogue rather than intimidate them. A student speaker described seeing ICE in Kingston and said families and students were frightened; the student called for "greater transparency through flyers, mandatory assembly, speeches over the announcements, letters mailed home" so students know what protections exist.

Trustees discussed a motion introduced by a board member to amend the district’s code of conduct to classify an unexcused absence resulting from student-organized peaceful First Amendment expression as a lower-level (Level 1) infraction, while still allowing higher-level responses for property damage or violence. Board members emphasized that the code cannot be changed without the required stakeholder process and public notice; several trustees recommended including students, faculty and school-level staff in any revisions.

Discussion at the meeting focused on two related points: clarifying the disciplinary consequences attached to walkouts (trustees reiterated that unexcused absence can carry a range of responses) and improving communication so students understand what protections and alternatives exist. One trustee requested that the code-of-conduct committee convene within 30 days to work through the proposal; the board approved the referral by voice vote.

The board heard multiple calls from students for the district to provide specific, accessible information on how students are protected and what steps they can take to protest safely. Trustees and administrators repeatedly framed the referral as the start of a process that will include stakeholder input, legal review and, if required, public hearings. The committee will return recommendations to the board after it has met and consulted with students, staff and the community.

For now, no policy change has been adopted; the board moved the proposal into the committee process and asked that work begin promptly.