Cobb Schools Won't Endorse Gun-Control Walkout

Cobb schools superintendent Chris Ragsdale, who received an open letter from the East Cobb student organizers earlier this week, met with high school principals earlier today in a scheduled school district leadership meeting that included a discussion about about how to handle the protests.

MARIETTA, GA — Cobb County students who take part in a nationwide walkout calling for stricter gun laws in the wake of the deadly Florida school shooting could face disciplinary action, according to school system officials.

In a statement posted to its website, the Cobb County School District says it does not endorse any activities that disrupt normal classroom activities.

"We are aware of the desire of some students to participate in a demonstration of empathy for the lives lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018," the system said in the message. "The Cobb County School District leadership will work with students to identify the best methods to accomplish this demonstration of empathy without interruption of normal school operation, which is a policy violation and potentially jeopardizes student and staff safety."

"The Cobb County School District does not support or endorse walkouts/protests that cause interruption to normal school operations," the message continues. "Students who choose to disrupt the normal operations of a school may be subject to consequences in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct."

The walkout, which organizers are encouraging students, teachers and faculty to take part in, is scheduled to take place for 17 minutes at 10 a.m. on March 14.

According to the national event's website, there are participants planning to take part at Cobb County schools, including Campbell, Kennesaw Mountain, Harrison, Sprayberry, Walton and Pope high schools.

The walkouts will be held a month after the Valentine's Day massacre at Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 students, teachers and coaches were killed by accused gunman Nikolas Cruz. According to the site, students who take part in the protest will leave their classrooms for 17 minutes — one minute for each life taken at the school.

Organizers behind the national event say the March 14 walkout is designed to "protest Congress' inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods."

"We need action," the nationwide event page states. "Students and allies are organizing the national school walkout to demand Congress pass legislation to keep us safe from gun violence at our schools, on our streets and in our homes and places of worship."

Cobb County schools Superintendent Chris Ragsdale met with high school principals on Wednesday to discuss the walkout.

You can find a full list of schools participating in the walkout by clicking here.

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