Student protests over immigration must not disrupt class, Florida education chief says

Jeffrey S. Solochek, Tampa Bay Times on Feb 3, 2026

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School districts across Florida have heard rumblings lately about student plans to walk out of classes to protest federal immigration enforcement actions, such as the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

Some walkouts have already taken place, including in Escambia and Leon counties, while others are being discussed for the coming days, including in the Tampa Bay area.

In response, Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas told school leaders on Tuesday that they better not encourage or facilitate any such activity during class.

“Any conduct by school or district personnel that diverts students from instruction, undermines classroom authority or compromises student supervision violates professional responsibilities and warrants disciplinary action,” Kamoutsas wrote to superintendents in a letter he also posted on X.

He wrote that Florida’s education system “is focused on student achievement, not ideology,” adding that the state will not tolerate educators who push political views onto students, “especially ones that disparage law enforcement.”

Kamoutsas wrote that he was not suggesting students may not express their views. They have constitutional rights, including free expression and peaceful protest, he wrote, so long as they comply with state law and school district policy.

“Districts have a responsibility to ensure that any protest activity does not interrupt instructional time, school operations and campus safety,” he added, encouraging parents to talk with their children about not allowing civic engagement to detract from classroom learning.

The Brevard County school district warned students against holding on-campus protests during the class day earlier this week. Tampa Bay area school district leaders said they’re keeping an eye on the situation, but the commissioner’s directive didn’t contradict what they already do.

“Students have the right to peacefully assemble, but it can’t be any type of campus disruption,” said Toni Zetzsche, spokesperson for Pasco County schools.

Pasco has seen “blips on social media” about student activity, but nothing has been organized or planned in the schools to this point, Zetzsche said.

Pinellas superintendent Kevin Hendrick said he had heard of three or four high schools, including Largo, where students have talked about walking out.

“We’re telling them, ‘You have a right to express your First Amendment rights, but you can’t interrupt the learning of other students,’” Hendrick said.

He said sign waving before or after school in the parking lot is an example of what’s acceptable. At the same time, he added, the district has nothing to do with the actions of federal immigration officials, and ICE has not attempted to run enforcement efforts in district schools.

So it might be more effective, Hendrick said, for the students to take their issues elsewhere.

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