Legislative & State-Level Responses
February 13, 2026 – Student Walkouts
Source: KSWO News
By Cole Brumbelow Published: February 12, 2026
Overview
On February 12, 2026, a group of Oklahoma state legislators sent a formal letter to State Superintendent Lindel Fields requesting action regarding student walkouts protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
The letter cited concerns about instructional disruption and potential violations of Oklahoma attendance laws and professional educator standards.
Lawmakers’ Position
The letter stated that student walkouts had disrupted instructional time at multiple schools across the state, including:
- Hale High School
- Edison Preparatory Academy
- Booker T. Washington High School
- Tulsa School for Arts and Sciences
- Mustang Schools
- Jenks Public Schools
Legislators cited:
- Oklahoma compulsory attendance laws
- Possible violations of professional educator conduct standards
- Potential grounds for certificate revocation under OAC §210:1-5-6
Legal Citation Referenced
Okla. Admin. Code § 210:1-5-6 – Suspension and/or revocation of certificates
Grounds include:
- Willful violation of State Board of Education rules
- Willful violation of federal or state law
- Conviction under 70 O.S. §§ 3-104 or 3-104.1
- Other proper cause, including violation of Standards of Performance and Conduct for Teachers
Formal Requests Made to OSDE
The signatories requested that Superintendent Fields:
- Investigate reports of educators who may have promoted or facilitated walkouts.
- Enforce disciplinary measures, including certificate revocation where violations are confirmed.
- Provide a summary of investigations and disciplinary outcomes.
The letter stated:
“Schools must remain focused on orderly learning and preparing students for the future—not serving as venues for political activism during class time. We fully support the right to free expression, but it must be exercised responsibly, within the law, and with parental involvement.”
Signatories
Senator Julie McIntosh – District 3
Senator Tom Woods – District 4
Senator David Bullard – District 6
Senator Bryan Logan – District 8
Senator Shane Jett – District 17
Senator Randy Grellner – District 21
Senator Brian Guthrie – District 25
Senator Dusty Deevers – District 32
Senator Christi Gillespie – District 33
Senator Adam Pugh – District 41
Senator Kendall Sacchieri – District 43
Representative Jim Shaw – House District 32
Representative Molly Jenkins – House District 33
Representative Gabe Woolley – House District 98
Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) Response
OSDE stated:
- The department has been in contact with affected schools.
- Situations are being handled with an emphasis on student safety.
- Local school boards may regulate on-campus expression.
- Districts may impose attendance or disciplinary consequences if policies are violated.
- Parents must be engaged when activities occur off campus.
OSDE emphasized safety while acknowledging student expression rights.
Senate Democratic Response
Two Oklahoma Senate Democrats publicly responded in defense of students’ right to protest.
Senator Julia Kirt (D–Oklahoma City)
- Expressed trust in educators.
- Criticized investigations into teachers.
- Framed student protest as an exercise of constitutional rights.
- Argued that broader systemic issues deserve attention.
Senator Michael Brooks (D–Oklahoma City)
- Expressed concern about silencing youth voices.
- Referenced historical student activism.
- Connected student protest to American civic tradition.
Observational Notes
This development reflects:
- Escalation from local school event to statewide political issue.
- Divergent interpretations of student protest rights.
- Legal framing of attendance enforcement.
- Public disagreement between legislative caucuses.
Archival Purpose
This page documents state-level responses to student walkouts occurring in Oklahoma during February 2026.
The content is preserved for reference and historical record.
This archive does not endorse or oppose any position.