Members voted 3-2 to bring the policy up for a formal vote.
By Ramon Lopez
Original Air Date: March 25, 2026
Host: On a narrow 3-2 vote, the Sarasota School Board approved a policy against student protest during school hours. Ramon Lopez reports.
Ramon Lopez: The conservative Sarasota County School Board majority is one step away from enacting a controversial resolution that would limit local students from protesting on campus.
At least three high school students skipped school for a protest ahead of the school board meeting discussing student protests | Photos: Ramon Lopez
It would also impose measures to restrict school staffers and outsiders from helping students conduct certain types of demonstrations.
The proposed school district policy was brought up for an initial vote at the county school board meeting Tuesday morning. It was preceded by a small demonstration in which three high school students—who skipped their first day of school back from spring break—voiced their opposition to the policy directive from School Board Chair Bridget Ziegler.
The pending policy directive covers disruptions and demonstrations by students on school grounds during school hours. The District says students will retain First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and expression while on school property. However, these rights may not infringe on or interfere with the orderly operation of the schools.
It says students who engage in demonstrations remain subject to all existing board policies, school rules and the Code of Student Conduct. Disciplinary action shall be imposed based on the disruptive conduct and shall be administered consistently and proportionately.
School staff will be barred from supporting such disruptive conduct by students and be subject to disciplinary action. Outsiders cannot help organize disruptive behavior by students and could be thrown off school property for doing just that.
The three conservatives on the five-member board voted in favor, with Liz Barker and Tom Edwards voting “nay” to bring the policy up for a formal vote at a future meeting.
Barker said the policy is intentionally vague and threatens student first amendment rights. She also said the discussion was a distraction.
Liz Barker: Our job is to govern responsibly. Every moment that we spend talking about policies, resolutions, proclamations—whatever it is—is a moment not spent on our basic fiduciary responsibility.
RL: We also hear from Tom Edwards.
Tom Edwards: I will not be supporting this. We have spent no—I mean, zero—credible time since this board chair took that role in December. We have been in dissent and argument and public comment over and over and over again when we should be talking about all of these things that are so important to student outcomes.
RL: Bridget Ziegler said the policy is much needed.
Bridget Ziegler: There is absolutely no question that, in the midst of any kind of disruptive walkout, that that creates a very dangerous environment of which we are entrusted with students.
RL: Legal staff weighed in as well, saying students have First Amendment rights, but they are not unlimited. They said court rulings back the policy. But they warned that school administrators and board members should not pick and choose when to take disciplinary measures.
Superintendent Terry Connor isn’t planning to issue a rule handbook. He says school principals are already well equipped to handle such disruptions.
This is Ramon Lopez with your WSLR News.
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