2,480 students disciplined for ‘disruptive behaviors’ in anti-ICE walkouts
The School District of Lee County released disciplinary actions taken against 2,480 students it identified as participating in “disruptive behaviors” related to anti-ICE walkouts that took place Feb. 4-6.
Behaviors cited were:
• 2,037 skipping class or tardy to class
• 393 safety violations
• 50 insubordination/disrespect
The disruptive behaviors resulted in the following disciplinary actions with discipline determined by the level of the offense and a student’s behavioral history, the district said in a release issued late Thursday.
• 11 recommendations for reassignment to Success Academy
• 134 out-of-school suspensions
• 40 in-school suspensions
• 43 student conferences
• 7 parent meetings
• 208 other Level III interventions including but not limited to:
— Behavior contracts
— Extra-curricular suspensions
— Loss of privileges
— Restitution
• 2,037 warnings and/or zeroes on assignments
“The safety and security of our schools is our top priority,” said Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin in the statement. “Ninety-six percent of our students adhered to the Student Code of Conduct by remaining in class and focused on their education during the protests. We are proud of the choice they made. We are also grateful to our students’ families for supporting the priorities of our school district and for reinforcing our behavioral expectations. Together, we can ensure a safe learning environment for all students.”
The district previously said violations occurred at North Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Mariner and Ida Baker High schools.
The district reiterated the policy allied to the student actions.
“The School District of Lee County does not tolerate disruptions to the educational environment. We have completed our review and disciplinary process for the walkouts that occurred February 4-6, 2026, the release states.
“While students have First Amendment rights, the Supreme Court ruled in Tinker v. Des Moines that those rights do not protect behavior that disrupts the educational process. The Student Code of Conduct prohibits disruptive actions such as walking out of class, leaving campus without permission, and refusing to follow staff directives.”