On Feb. 26, Superintendent Dr. Scott Brabrand visited Franklin Sherman Elementary School to discuss his new position and questions pressing the county. Brabrand discussed his new course of action to combating problems such as school overpopulation, schools lacking in technological fields, and many schools in need of repairs/renovation in the county. But over all of that the inevitable topic that came up was school shootings.

A mother in the crowd brought up the walkout “epidemic” that she said is plaguing the nationwide school systems. Students have been leaving their classes to walk out of the school and show how underage kids still have a voice even if voting is not in their wheelhouse.

“I just don’t understand why students feel the need to walk out of their class during class, why can’t they do it before school or on a Saturday?” she said.

The Superintendent retorted with a stance most politicians take, the “middle ground.”

“We are just trying to find a middle ground where both sides are content,” Brabrand said

A crossfire erupted between a student and the same mother which sparked when the boy responded to the mother’s question.

“I haven’t been as involved as the girls up front but I’ve seen what they have done. I go to school with them they are my classmates,” junior Jeremy Siegel said. “We’ve witnessed people our age get gunned down and adults stay outside and not go in. We’ve witnessed adults not change anything how can you sit here and tell us we do not have the right to protest even during school?”

The mother interjected, “I’m not asking if you have the right to I just wonder why you have to do it during school hours and why that gives it more weight?”

Siegel shot back, “Because that’s the only way people will pay attention.”