Waukesha Superintendent Todd Gray softens stance on walkout, says excused students can participate

Softening his stance somewhat with an updated memo Wednesday, Superintendent Todd Gray said Waukesha School District students can participate in the March 14 National School Walkout if their parents excuse them from school to attend the event.

Gray become the center of controversy after sending a district-wide email Tuesday that suggested students and faculty who participate in the walkout during class time will be considered disruptive and could face disciplinary action.

The walkout commemorates the Feb. 14 mass shooting at a Florida high school. It is meant as an expression of frustration at the current state of violence in the country.

What remains unclear is whether the event will be allowed on school property.

In his updated memo, Gray said the issue was never about student participation but about a "an outside organizer, not a Waukesha student-initiated event."

Gray wrote the earlier email of the district's attempt to halt the support of "one or more individuals" who are promoting the event locally through Womensmarch.com.

Without permission

"This is all promoted by non-district adults, without permission to use the district’s names or property," the update said.

The update expands in writing Gray's and the district's positions.

"We acknowledge that individuals have a right to demonstrate to support a cause," Gray wrote. "Therefore, if parents wish to excuse their children from school to attend such an event or demonstration, that is their right.

"However, students not excused must stay in school. The district will follow the established attendance procedures to address unexcused absences from school.

"Further, if students disrupt the learning environment for others, they will be addressed through our discipline policies, as we expect that our students are learning in a safe, disruption free environment."

No mention was made in the update about faculty participation.

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Disruptive walkout

The first Gray email said more directly that "participation in a walkout is disruptive and against school regulations and will subject students to disciplinary measures."

The walkout is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 14 in all time zones. It calls for students, faculty, parents and others to walk out of school for 17 minutes, one minute for each person killed in the Florida shooting.

Gray said the person who posted the disputed statement about the march has refused to take it down.

"Please note that not only has she continued to use Waukesha Public Schools, but she has also advertised the location for the event as school-district property (707 W. College Ave.)

"No permission has been requested or granted to use the district's name or similar name in support of this event. Nor has any permission been requested or granted to use our property.

"Approximately 95 percent of the students in the district are minors who are required to be in school when school is scheduled to be in session," Gray wrote in closing.

Parent response

The first email drew a quick response from local author and writing instructor Kathie Giorgio.

Gray also was criticized on social media sites.

On her Facebook page, Giorgio wrote, "So, the superintendent of Waukesha schools, Todd Gray, sent out an email this afternoon, informing parents that the school district is not participating in a school walkout against guns in the schools.

"I personally will support my daughter in whatever she decides is right for her."

Giorgio's 17-year-old daughter attends Waukesha North High School.

"Rather than just saying no, it would be nice (and admirable) if the school found a way that the kids who want to participate could, within school boundaries," Giorgio wrote. "It's one thing to say no, Superintendent Gray. It's another to provide alternatives and education, as well as empathy and support."

Gray said in his first email, "While we certainly understand everyone’s grief and anxiety over the recent tragedy in Florida, using the district’s name without permission to advocate for students to violate school rules (a student walk out) is not appropriate."

Giorgio is the director and founder of AllWriters' Workplace and Workshop in downtown Waukesha.