School's action over walkout angers some

Parents, students and some community leaders in Tukwila are outraged at what they say is a "witch hunt" by the school district to punish Foster High School students and a half-dozen teachers who participated in or encouraged a Nov. 16 anti-war walkout.

But school district spokesman Jan Lande said no one has been disciplined and that an inquiry into the walkout is trying to establish the facts of what happened.

"There is an investigation to sort this all out," she said. Some students had permission from parents to participate, while others did not, she said. "We are just trying to keep kids safe, not stop their civil liberties and free speech."

Lande said one teacher who left the school with students during the walkout was put on paid administrative leave last week for violating his contractual agreement but returned to class Wednesday. Other than that action, she said, "no one has been disciplined or fired."

Some parents and students, however, said Wednesday that the teacher left during his planning period and returned to class after seeing the students off. Police were on hand as students left to ensure order.

Lande said students who brought notes from parents to participate in the walkout were excused, but others were not and could be considered truant or tardy. Foster High is a closed campus.

At least 125 Foster High students joined hundreds of others around Western Washington who participated in the Nov. 16 walkout to protest the Iraq war.