Reported Central High March 4 Student Walkout Circulated Through Student Email; Event Is Not School-Sponsored, USD 305 Responses Pending

A message circulated through student email is promoting a reported student walkout on March 4 tied to an “anti-ICE” demonstration, with organizers stating students would leave during the school day and gather near the Crawford and Ohio intersection.

The event is not a school-sponsored activity.

According to the circulated message, the event is associated with the Kansas Chapter of the Global Youth Protection Alliance and is scheduled to begin at 12:40 p.m. (described as the end of fourth lunch) and continue through the end of the school day.

The message instructs participants to meet at the track before leaving and says attendees may bring posters. It also asks participants to avoid vulgar language and aggressive terms toward others, stating the goal is to make their point peacefully. Organizers also state they plan to have safety routes, water, snacks, and visible organizers available in case attendees need assistance.

Salina311 has heard from multiple parents expressing concerns about the reported event, including questions about student safety, attendance, and what school policy would require if students leave campus during the school day.

Salina311 has sent questions to USD 305 staff, including:

Shanna Rector, Deputy Superintendent (regarding attendance policy)

Jennifer Camien, Communications Director

Heath Hogan, Superintendent

We are actively waiting for their responses.

What the Central High student handbook says about attendance and leaving campus

Salina311 reviewed the Central High School Student Handbook (2025-2026) attendance procedures, which state that:

A parent/guardian should call the school each day a student will be absent and provide the reason

If no notification is received, the school states it will attempt to contact the parent/guardian

Notes are not accepted in place of phone calls

Absences may be marked excused when a parent/guardian notifies the school for an excusable reason (such as illness, emergency, or funeral)

Absences may be marked unexcused when a parent/guardian does not communicate with the school, or if the reason is deemed inexcusable by the building principal

If a student is leaving campus during the school day, the parent/guardian must call the attendance office to excuse the student before the student leaves

Students are responsible for signing in and out of the attendance office

An exception is listed for students attending a school-sponsored activity or an academic class off campus

The handbook also states that students may request work for unexcused absences, but work completed within the allowed time is graded with a 20% reduction.

Details included in the circulated message

The message states:

A planned walkout date of March 4

A departure time of 12:40 p.m.

A meeting point at the track

A planned route toward Crawford and Ohio

A duration lasting until the end of the school day

At the time of publication, Salina311 has not yet received responses from USD 305 officials to the questions submitted. This story will be updated if and when district officials respond.