Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into Dallas ISD following student walkouts tied to federal immigration enforcement protests, raising the possibility the district could lose state funding if violations are found.
The inquiry centers on whether the district failed to keep students supervised and safe after groups of students left campuses during the demonstrations. State officials say Texas law requires districts to maintain accountability for students during the school day, including when protests occur on or off campus.
The walkouts involved students leaving class and gathering outside school grounds to oppose federal immigration actions. No injuries were reported, but the protests drew large crowds and required monitoring by school administrators and local law enforcement in several locations across Dallas.
Paxton’s office has requested records related to attendance procedures, safety plans and communications about the demonstrations. The investigation is part of a broader review that also includes districts in San Antonio and Austin, though Dallas ISD serves one of the largest student populations affected.
If the state determines the district failed to follow attendance or supervision requirements, potential consequences could include administrative action and financial penalties tied to state education funding formulas. Texas schools receive funding based in part on student attendance, and state law allows enforcement measures when districts are found out of compliance.
Dallas ISD has not reported any injuries connected to the protests and has continued regular operations. District officials say student safety procedures remain in place during any campus disruption, including protests, and attendance rules still apply when students leave class.
The case highlights an ongoing tension schools face when students engage in political expression during school hours. Administrators must balance student speech rights with legal obligations to supervise minors and document attendance, particularly during organized demonstrations.
The attorney general’s office has not announced a timeline for completing the investigation.
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