Written by Shelley Funke Frommeyer, Kentucky State Senator, District 24
I’ve been troubled by a recent article in LINK nky about student walkouts in our Northern Kentucky schools protesting ICE actions.
What stands out most isn’t the topic itself, but the way the piece frames these events with language that feels more like a call for division than balanced reporting. Phrases and quotes paint a picture of widespread fear and hostility, almost encouraging confrontation rather than thoughtful dialogue.
This kind of rhetoric doesn’t unite us. It stirs up tension and makes our communities feel less safe.
My priorities have always been clear: Family, Freedom, and Safety.
School hours should be about teaching our children the basics, helping them build skills, and preparing them for bright futures. That’s the promise we make to every family. If students want to express their views or protest, that’s their First Amendment right, and I will always defend it. But it should happen outside school hours, on their own, without pulling them away from class or putting them in harm’s way.
I’ve reached out directly to the interim superintendent in Newport and the school board chair to voice my concerns and ask questions.
Are these walkouts truly student-led, or are teachers and administrators encouraging or even pressuring kids to participate?
We need transparency on this. Our classrooms should be places of learning and safety, not staging grounds for political action.
Earlier this month, a student in Palm Beach, Florida, was hit by a car during an anti-ICE protest walkout.
That child should have been safe in a classroom, not in the street.
Incidents like that remind us why safety has to come first. When kids leave school grounds during the day, risks go up, supervision drops, and accidents can happen fast. We can’t let that become normal here.
I believe in guiding our young people to think critically and stand up for what they believe in, but they deserve to make those choices freely, not feel coerced by adults in authority. Forcing views on students or turning school time into activism crosses a line. It erodes trust, distracts from education, and puts safety last.
I’m taking action because our children’s well-being is non-negotiable. I’ll keep pushing for policies that keep school focused on education, protect kids from unnecessary risks, and respect real freedom of expression without turning our schools into battlegrounds.