Schools

No Consequences For Student Walkout If Orderly, Timely: North

Students from at least four Douglas schools are planning a walkout to protest recent gun violence in schools in a call for stricter laws.

DOUGLASVILLE, GA – Douglas County Schools Superintendent Trent North said in a statement Tuesday that students will face, "no consequences," if they "walk out for a reasonable amount of time and return in an orderly fashion."

Students from at least four Douglas County schools are planning to join a national movement by staging a walkout Wednesday to protest recent gun violence in schools in a call for stricter laws.

The March 14 walkout, set to coordinate with the National School Walkout day, is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., according to an event posting on the main campaign website.

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In Douglas County, students from the following schools have announced they're participating:

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  • Chapel Hill High School
  • Alexander High School
  • Douglas County High School
  • Stewart Middle School

North's statement reads as follows:

"A number of our students in the Douglas County School System have expressed a desire to participate in a nationwide 17-minute walkout Wednesday, March 14.

My position remains unchanged. Wednesday, the Douglas County School System will acknowledge our students’ right to protest in a civil and orderly manner. If our students walk out for a reasonable amount of time and return in an orderly fashion, there will be no consequences.

The safety of our students and staff will always be our first priority. As a district, we endeavor to use the best resources available to make decisions to protect our students and our employees. Wednesday’swalkouts will be well supervised and will occur in an orderly manner. We make these important decisions while striving to maintain a nurturing and supportive learning environment for each student. Your ongoing support is valued and appreciated in this effort."

RELATED: Douglas Students Plan Walkouts In Call For Stricter Gun Laws

PHOTO: PARKLAND, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Madison Fox is hugged as the West Boca High School student joined hundreds of fellow students that walked to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in honor of the 17 students shot dead on February 20, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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